The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-03-03
AS STRONG AS EVER.
Genorat Earle's Opinion Of TIllman-- Be-
Iievos He VIII be Re-elected.
GREENVILLE, Feb. 10,

GREENvILLE, Feb. 10, 1892.
Editor of the News and Courier:
Your circular letter has been re-
ceived. You ask that l express 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 history
of South Carolina has it been 80 inn.
portant 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 sentiment and separated In.
to factions by internal dissensions. The
continuation of this condition will
necessarily tend to drive them further
apart, and will prevent their co.opera-
tlon for the good of the State.
L have no axe to grind, nor have |
any personal wrongs to avenge. l
opposed the election of Governor Till
man in the last campaign with all the
earnestness of my nature because | be-
lieved that he should be defeated. The
people, however, decided otherwise and
he was triumphantly elected. Those
who opposed his election were natu-
rally sore over their disappointment,
and large number of them are still
dissatisfied. But under our system 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 manv
times condemned for his unjust criti
ciSm Of others, and Unjust criticism of
him by his opponents VIII not injure
him, but will tend to his advantage.
If 1T was wrong in him to slander
others when he was a 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
good of the State. That he has done
many 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 with his surroundings would be
liable to make some mistakes.
Then / would suggest to the anti.
Tillmanites that it would be we'll to
deal fearly with him and avoid COM
mitting the same sin Of which he has
been so often accused. Don't follow
his example by making unjust accusa-
tions against him and by magnifying
little faults into grievous sins. This
course will not bring the two factions
together, but can result only in keep
ing them apart.
My deliberate judgment in that Gov
ernor Tillman is at present as strong
with the farmers us he ever was, and
believe that he will be re. elected over
any one who will probably take the
field against him. This being true, 1T
would be folly for any of the anti-Till-
NANTES to oppose him. Such opposi'
ton would intensity the bitter feeling
which now unfortunately exists among
the white people, and could succeed
only by invoking the aid of the negro
vote. Victory at such a cost would be
too dearly bought. Give me Tillman q
thousand times before Scott or a
Moses.
When the convention meets, let him
be nominated if a majority of the dele
gates are in his favor; and if nominated,
let him be nominated without opposi
tion. so far as any Democrat is con-
cerned. N"r best, WiSest and most
conservative moa should be elected to
the General Assembly. This is far
more important than the election of
any man as Governor. With q good
Legislature, Il bad Governor can do
little harm; with bad Legislature, q
good Governor can do little good.
Respectfully,
JOS. ii. EARLE.