The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-16
Political Literature.

We did not intend 10 publish ex-senator
Hampton's letter, and 1t is not our custom TO
publish the letters Of citizens of this county,
which are sent to other papers, and not sent
to us. But solely in order that our readers
may see the reasons of some for holding
March convention, we publish both Senator
Hampton's and DR.. Maxwelrs letters even at
this late day.
The letter of Senator Hampton, like his let
ter in 1890, sounds too much TO us like an en-
cuse for the bolt in 1890 and as an action to be
commended and endorsed by us in 1892.
This newspaper Is unalterably opposed to
independents tism, and as far as we can now I'M
derstand ourself we do not intend at any time
TO contribute our vote to the disruption OF the
Democratic party. Independenttsm is lnde-
pendentism, no matter by whom tried ana
we think Independentism is political SIM
which the loyal Democrats Of State situated
or surrounded as ours is cannot endorse, ana
because Of the temper OF our people they can
not afford TO- put Independents in the lead.
II the Conservatives could hold meeting,
and blaze out a line of policy, 1t might be we'll
enough for them to do so, and
then we might hope for the Straightouts to
join us. They could not we'll do anything
else. We take it that the Straightouts would
prefer 10 join the Conservatives than to vol
unfairly become political orphans.
The whole tenor Of Senator Hampton's let
ters of 1890 and 1892 seems 10 Us to manifest
greater love for the Straightouis than for any
thing else, and as furth + evidence that he Is
more in sympathy with the eStraIghtonts than
the Conservatives, we would cite the i"ct that
his letter was not addressed, as 1t should nave
been, to the Greenville News. whose editor Is,
If not the leader. one Of the signers of the
Conservative call with Senator Hampton.
Senator Hampton successfully led great
revolution in 1876 and many OF our fellow-cit-
liens now regard him with reverence bor-
pering on to sacredness, but the fact might as
we'll be admitted that Senator Hampton Is
not to-day in touch OF the elbow with The
great multitude. The leaders in the "domi-
nant element" have taught their followers to
LOOK with distrust upon anything which
comes from the other ulde, and the indiscreet
utterances and acts OF Senator Hampton have
been so much distorted, as TO excite opposi-
tion to him in many instances, and his opin.
ions have ceased to have their magic power
over the public heart.
the public mind at this time we think that
such men as Senator Hampton, General Ha-
good, and others Of like charac-
ter, who have retired from politics.
should not injure themselves by entering in-
to the politics of to-day, where their presence
will add nothing to any political movement.
ano when their action excites the strongest
opposition.
We say this with all due respect TO the gen.
tlemen named. We would give either our
hearty support If they should be nominated
by the Conservatives, but they cannot excite
the enthusiasm which they once could have
excited in former years. and their candidacy
is as sure to bring defeat as 1.-The night follows
the day."
There Is q vast difference between organ.
izing campaign for the success OF political
favorite, and in planning a campaign OF per-
sonal abuse. This newspaper may be depend
ed upon TO support almost any man wnom the
Conservatives may name. and we are willing
to work with Will 10 elect him If he comes
before the people on his own merits, and asks
us TO vote Tor the man of our choice. but we
announce now, and will stick 10 the declara-
tion, that we will not endorse any man who
runs for the office presumably on Tillmans
unpopuarity and whose stock in trade is
abuse Of Tilman, or whose most conspicuous
acts are to magnify HIS faults and 10 abuse
people who follow him or support him.
We have perfect right 10 prefer another
Governor than Tlllman, anu We ask no par
don for endorsing or supporting his opponent
What do we care for his denunciation OF
members OF the Legislature. They were his
own sort OF men, and we are not ut all sensi-
tive as to what TillmaG may say Of them.
The" "call' enum Grated the "drftwood" bus
iness at Laurens In serenade speech us one
Of the objections to Tillman. Speaking for
this, newspaper, we endorsed that sentiment
in its broadest and truest meaning. We te
lieve that inefficient and incompetent men
were elected TO the last Legislature, and we
do not care if the Governor characterized
them as "drifLwood." That is matter with
which we have no concern.
Dr. Maxwell says that Tillman is not re-
sponSible for the present price of our State
bonds. This must be gratifying intelligence
TO the Governor.
There Is a cause for their depreciation, and
If the Tillman government is not responsible
for it, then we would like to know who is re.
sponsible.