The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-06-03
Wednesday, June 3, 1891.
The Speeches Yesterday.

r,
in the Court House, discussing national queS-
tions.
Owing to circumstances we heard only a
part of Mr.. Terrell's speech, and none Of Gov
ernor Tillman's
Mr.. Terrell affected great contempt ior
four.by-tour newspapers and talked very
learnedly OH National questions OF which We
thought he knew very little.
AT the commencement Of his speech the
court room was filed including the stand
ing room in the aisles, but owing 10 the
warm weather, and perhaps for other rea-
SONS. the aisle was soon cleared. large ma
iority. however heard Mr.. Terrell through.
Mr.. Terrell said the Alliuncc was non'po-
litical, and had nothing TO do with poilticS'
which led us TO believe that he was not iuiiy
informed as to Alliance matters i'll South
Carolina.
He believed in equal and just taxation
alike OF the poor and the rich. This we
thought was sound doctrine, and worthy Of
all commendation.
When he struck the Suo-treasury and
"hexible currency" we were lost, and dldnt I
"catch on" to the extent OF his meaning.
We do not know how we can have more
money at one time OF the year than at an
other: and we did not learn from him how
AN impecunious citizen, who has nothing TO
sell, can get so to speak, any OF this lndia
rubber money.
What he said about the currency may be
good doctrine, and it may be just and right
TO pay our debts In a deprecated or inflated
currency or flexible currency that
will stretch and draw up, according 10 our
What he said OF the hardships of paying
need, but we don't believe 1t.
old debts contracted while gold was Sl.40 Is
gospel truth, and he should have entered his
plea twenty years ago, but his argument
Is now barred by the statute OF limitations.
His p;ea1s, as we understand, first cousin
to the greenback doctrine. but which doctrine
was showed under twenty years ago, when
specia payment was resumed, and when L. S.
bonds were issued on a gold basis at re-
duced rate OF interest. The Government
having made a contract TO pay It's bonds and
the interest thereon in gold, 1t cannot now
pay In deprecated or .'stretchable currency.
The same rule would apply 10 private con-
tracts, and he made no explanation as to
how debtor who signs note payable in
gold, is to pay the debt in India rubber
money.
Mr.. Terrell said the demands" Of the al
lance was for Sub.treasury, which would
involve the building Of an indefinite num-
ber OF warehouses and. the appoin tinent of
legion of ware house keepers.
If by this means Southern people should be
enabled to keep theft cotton for higher prices.
the Western hog producer and the Western
corn and -four raiser might keep their pro-
duct in like manner. 1t would be lit for tat.
Mr.. Terrell announced good doctrine in ref.
erence to aliens owning land in this country.
The doctrine is all right, but he didn't seem
10 know that a law en- forcing his principles,
had been put npon the statute books some
two or three years ago-or, at least, we have
seen statement in the newspapers 10 that
effect.
The financial policy OF a country Is an i'm.
portant and intricate one, and he who as
sumes to assall q we'll established line CT poll
cy should be we'll Informed. :All Mr. Ter
relrs ideas Of getting the Government to help
the citizen.are merely theoretical
The Government must receive It's support
from the people. The Government cannot
support the people. Radical changes of pub
lie affairs are always attended with great dis
aster.
Another Of Mr.. Terrcll's propositions.
which wont hold water, Is, that the farmer
was credited with 3j per cent. of the wealth
OF the country, and that lie paid Is per cent.
of the taxes. A moments reflection, will
convince anybody that that statement
won't do.
II the Office of the Auditor OF Abbevillc
County Is examined it will be seen that the
farmer neither owns nor pays taxes Oh sixty
five per cent. of the property Of this county,
and we presume the same would hold good
elsewhere. and even II he paid sixty.five per
cent Of the taxes he pays only on what he
owns.
Governor I'll llman, followed Mr.. Terrell, in
fewremarks, hich we learn, like Mr.. Terrelrs
had some gratuitous anu ill.manncred filings
at the newspapers.
We did not hear the.Governor's speech, but
we take it that he had reference to the ALI
ance newspapers. The day has passed, If 1T
ever existed in Abbeville County, when any
gentleman has anything to gain by senseless
abuse ofnewspapers, and the public has about
come to believe that the speaker who seeks 10
destroy their influence has reason to fear the
power Of their criticism Of his own acts.
The Governors act in leaving Columbia
just when he die, and in coming n hundred
miles-meeting and combating the views or
principles laid down by Mr.. Terrell at Able
willie yesterday-created something Of sem
sation-it may be, created schism among
the Alliancemen, whose sole hope Of success
lies In unity OF sentimen: and oneness OF
action. We do not say that Governor Till
man came to Abbeville to meet Mr.. Ter
rell, but we do say that we have heard that
he remained over for this meeting,
We have heard expression OF the belief
that the officers, lecturers, and other leaders
of the order, must Of course side against
the Governor and with Mr.. Terrell. Ali.
ancemen must stick 10 their order, and no
division OF sentiment will be allowed, espe-
cially from officers and lecturers.
During his official career the Goverernor
has been quite busy. Nearly every day he
has done something to make the newspapers
interesting.
He has written perhaps more letters than
any other Governor ever wrote in six months.
He has stopped $780, 900 Of annual phosphate
revenue.
He has been interviewed by more newspa-
per reporters than any other Governor in the
Union.
He has left the Governors office, and come
to Abbeville. where he met Lecturer Terrell
and 1t may be. has created more or less di.
vission OF sentiment among Alliancemen on
the subject of the Sub-treasury. Whatever,
may be said Of our Farmer Governor, he is a
worker. :and IL he doesn't furnish sufficient
ground for stirring up lively campaign next