The Portland daily press., 1890-10-29
Acurlous Political upheayaI,

ACurlous Political upheavai.
It is usually about as reasonable to expect
a clap OF thunder out of a clear sky as a Re-
publican Congressman from South Carolina.
And when indications are the most pr0mis-
ing wise Republicans will be very slow to
pin their faith to anything in that State. 1t
is well to remember this caution in consider
ing the present situation. which is undeni-
ably promising to the Republicans. The
situation in South Carolina must be remark
able when the negro, usually down-trodden
and oppressed, finds himself sought after,
fattered aud guaranteed every right of a
citizen. The explanation of this state of
things in the most incorrigible State of the
Solid South involves an explanation of many
conditions of the political system of the Pal
metto State. In the first place South Caro-
lima has been essentially an aristocracy
The old South Carolina planters found con-
genial society among the English aristoc-
racy In the days before the war: and during
the war they found In the same aristocracy
sympathlzipg friends. The ideas of the
classes Of England have probably moulded
society, and even politics. in South Carolina
more than in any other State in the Union.
Even in the present Congress the effect OF
this Influence has been shown in signifi.
cant way. When the Democratic party of the
South and West was giving itself body and
soul to the free silver craze, among the South
Carolina Democratic members were found as
uncompromisiDg champions of hard money
rs could be found among the New England
members. South Carolina has always been
sound on the money question; for it is a part
OF the results of her connection with EGG
land, connection. both commercial and
social. These same influences that have
wrought these results In the State have
wrought others. In matters of State govern
ment the aristocratic idea prevails TO a
greater extent than IT. any other Southern
State. OF local town government such as
we know there is none. The central State
government is everything; the neighborhood
government nothing. The result has been
that government has fallen into the hands of
a class, not alone of whites as distinguished
from blacks, but of some whites.-the
residents Of cities. the merchants and
lawyers and other professional men,-ss
distinguished from other whites,-the
farmers and other white laborers. AS
to the negro, the ruling class of South
Carolina have held that he had no right to
aspire to full citizenship, not because he was
ignorant, but because he had black blood In
his veins. By holding mp to all the white
people Of the State the bugbear of negro
denomination, the governing class among the
whites have hitherto managed to retain their
position of power. They have gradually
gathered all the machinery of government
into their hands, In such way that only
tidal wave can sweep them out. Their
election Law is cnnningly devised trap to
steal the suffrage from the poor man, by i'm
posing upon him long and expensive jour-
neys to county seat for a registration that
Is prerequisite to voting. and by other de-
vices. Their Governor appoints all the men
, who manage the registration and voting at
elections, and he has always welded this
powerful machinery for the advantage of the
governing class. Once in power the govern
Ing class Of South Carolina was fast mould
Ing the institutions of the State to perpetu-
ate Its power. At this time came a revolt,
not from the poor. down trodden blacks, but
from the poorer white men. A farmer named
Tillman. politician we'll acquainted with
the operations of South Carolina politics,
began several years ago to preach to his
brother farmers that they were not receiving
fair show. The governing class met him
by bringing forth the spectre of negro domi-
nation. The ruse succeeded for time; but
Tillman continued to grow. The advent of
the secret order known as the Farmers ALI
ance gave him an organization; and this year
the battle between the classes and the masses
BEGAN with unparalleled bitterness in South
Carolina. The old bugbear of negro domina-
tion was forgotten, although at the very time
the lines Of political battle were forming in
south Carolina, the National house of Rep
tesentatlves was passing bill which was
nsSnueu 10 guarantee the ballot to the black
"an az congressional elections. Not only
was the oid ougoear forgotten !; but both sides
began 70 seek the negro vote. and each tn |
tnreaten the other with direful things II a
negro voter should be molesred. Today II
is practically certain that such of the negroes
as have not been disfranchised by the onera-
tions OF she registration law will cast their
ballots. The Governor of the State. who has
previously arranged the election machinery
to disfranchise the blacks, has now divided
the judges OF election among the two white
factions, in such way that there will be
one or two white judges interested to protect
the right of every negro voter. For the
Republicans have nominated no candidate
for Governor, and every negro vote will go
either for Haskell, the representative of the
old regime, or for Tillman, the leader of the
farmers. here, of course, the Republicans
can gain only the privilege of voting. But
In the Congressional districts they may do
better. IL all depends on whether the two
white factions hate each other SO much that
either would rather see Republican sent to
congress than to witness the triumph of the |
otner' The Republicans are hopeful that
THIS may be the case, and that they will TINS
carry three or four districts