The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1890-07-17
EAELE'S DECLINATION.
An Interesting Chapter of State History
Told by Good Witness-Earle Was
Not 20 Elame-Denial of Tillman
Proclivities.
From! the Charleston World.

| ou 1llStttul, y W. lSpolI NoiOllNi I-'tt ~ 60
saying, "Mr. Wannamaker, of Orange
burg, who is now follower Of Captain
Tillman, asked me if I would run for
Governor" I have every reason to
believe that this language refers to my
self. Under ordinary circumstances |
would not notice it. Under the extra
ordinary condition of our State politics,
I feel that 1t is right and proper for me
to show that my distinguished friend
has made two mistakes in the above
quoted short sentence which appear t"
me to be ineXcuSable.
First, then, | am not 4 follower OF
Captain Tillman. BY what authority
did Colonel Earle make the assertion.
While ! look upon Captain Tillnan as
Il man of strong convictions with the
rare courage to maintain them; while
| believe him to be :; patriotic Demo-
crat, earnestly desirous of bringing
about needed reforms in the govern
ment; while his character challenges
admiration, by reason Of its simplicity,
its strength and its ruggedness: while
I condone many harsh things said in
the heat and passion of debate; still,
for good and sufficient reasons, acting
intelligently, patriotically and con-
scientiously, I cannot prevail upon my
self to support him.
I will state for Colonel Earle's benefit
that would not consider it compll-
ment to be written down as Il follower
of any man.
Now, as to mistake number two. l
did not ask him ''if he would run for
Governor" in 1SSS. The night before
the convention met | telegraphed to
Col. Earle at Sumter, in substance the
following query: "Will you accept the
nomination for Governor, if rendered
by the convention?" The reply came
in substance, II am not and will not
be 4 candidate for Governor Under
the constitution of the Democratic
party at that time, 30 one could have
with good grace announced bis candi-
dacy at that late day. After reading
Colonel :arle's reply, | concluded l
was but poor politician; that never
should have asked him the question. I
determined to do all I could to have
him elected without his knowledge or
consent.
When Colsnel Earle arrived in town
next day, l studiously avoided meeting
him, and begged my friends, if thay
really desired to elect him Governor
not to approach him Oh the subject. l
knew that Colonel Earle was 4 high
toned, chivalric, honorable gentleman;
I knew that he was in no sense a candi-
date for the governurship; and know
ing these things to be true, believed
that if his fellow citizens Of South
Carolina, in convention assembled, did
him the high honor to call him to be
the chief executive, lie would not re-
fuse the call of his State. But he did
in manner refuse, and great is the
pity. Had he acted differently, in all
probability, he would now lie at the
helm of State, and the old ship would
be sailing in smooth waters. He was in
no sense candidate; had so stated to
dozens of men. | assert, therefore, that
he could have accepted the nomination
from the Convention with clean hands,
a clear conscience and without dis
honor.
Why, then, did Colonel Earle take
the stand he did? Prejudice and pas
sion ran high at that time. l believe
he was literally tormented by inju-
dicious friends and avowed opponents
up to and even after the voting began.
I believe that in their excitement and
zeal, many of the friends Of Governor
Richardson transcribed the bounds Of
propriety by plying Colonel Earle with
hypocrtical questions about his posi-
ton. Had he accepted a nomination,
| rendered under such circumstances, q
black suspicion would have rested upon
him, in the minds Of many of Gov
ernor Richardson's friends. True, it
would have been unjust to Colonel
Earle, but the suspicion would have
rested On him all the same.
For this and the above considerations
I attach no blame to Colonel Earle. |
think nine men out of ten, under the
circumstances, would have acted as he
did. | was little sore, at first, but
have long since forgiven him.
Now, about my position in politics.
1t will not meet the approval of many
of my friends; but those who know me
best will readily grant that I have
acted honestly, independently and con-
scientiously in the premises. No one
car charge me with trying to get on
the winning side.
The indications all point to the cleo
ton of Captain Tillman by az over
whelming majority. Three-fourths of
the people seem to be at his back. y
great tidal wave Of popular favor seems
to be bearing him on to assured vic
tory.
Let HE have the ear of the thought
full, intelligent men Of the State for one
moment. Look thoughtfully over the
political field. Is there any good reason
why this campaign should he con-
Quoted with such venom and bitter
ness as both factions indulge in? |
answer, no! When intelligent men
are blinded by passion; when party fac
ton and prejudice control their action,
is it not time to call 4 halt? answer,