Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1892-03-10
POLITICAL@
THEHoN. JOsEPHH.EARLE

THEHoN. JosEPHH.EARLE.
He COunsels the Democracy TO
Stand Together-Conservatlsm
in Politics Never so Much need
ed SIS Now.
To the Editor of The News and
Courier: Your circular letter has
been received. You ask that I ex-
press my views as to the political
situation, and as to the course
that the conservative people of the
State should pursue.
Never before perhaps in the his
tory of South Carolina has it been
SO important as now for the people
TO be conservative in all that they
may say or do in political matters.
For never before have the white
people been SO divided in senti-
ment and separated into factions
by internal dissensions. The con-
tinuation of this condition will
necessarily tend to drive them fur
ther apart, and will prevent their
cooperation for the good OF the
State.
/ have no axe to grind, nor have
I any personal wrongs to avenge.
I opposed the election of Governor
Tillman in the last campaign with
all the earnestness of my nature
because I believed that he should
be defeated. TIE people, however,
decided otherwise and he was tri-
umphantly elected. Those who
opposed his election were naturally
sore over their disappointment, and
a large number OF them are still
dissatisfied. But under our sys-,
TEN of government the majority
must rule and the minority must
submit. The more quietly and
gracefully that they yield to the
will of the majority the better it
is for all concerned.
Governor Tillman has been
many times condemned for his un-
Just criticism of others, and un-
just criticism of him by his op-
ponents will not injure him, but
will tend to his advantage. If it
was wrong in him to SANDER others
when he was candidate, it is
simply wrong in others to slander
him while he is Governor.
Let his former opponents deal
justly with him and give him due
credit for all that he may do or try to
do for the good of the State.
That he has done mauy things that
are to be commended none can
deny; that he has done some
things that might be condemned
all will admit, but any man in his
position and surroundings would
be liable to make some mistakes.
Then I would suggest to the Anti
Fillmaniites -thatzit would be. veil.
to deal fairly with him and to
avoid committing the same sin OF
which he has been SO often ac-
cused. Don't follow his example
of making unjust accusations
against him and by magnifying
little faults into grievous sins.
This course will not bring the
two factions together, but can re-
suit only in keeping them apart.
My deliberate judgement is that
Gov. Tillman is atpresent as strong
with the farmers as he ever was,
and I believe that he will be re-
elected over any one who will
probably take the field against
him. Such opposition would in
tensify the bitter feeling which
now unfortunately exists amoung
the white people, and could sue
ceed only by invoking the aid of
the negro vote. Victory at such
a cost would be too dearly
bought. Give me Tillman a thou
sand times before a Scott or Moses!
When the Convention meets let
him be nominated, IT a majority
of the delegates are in his favor;
and if nominated, let him be
elected without opposition, SO far
as any Democrat is concerned.
Our best, wisest and most
conservative men should be
elected to the General Assembly.
This is far more important than
the election of any man as Gov
ernor. With a good Legislature a
bad Governor can do little harm;
with a bad Legislature good
Governor can do little good.