The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-05-11
THE PRESS AND BANNER.
Word in Reply. to the Columbia Reg.
lst er, III Which Is Given Some Rea-
SONS why this Newspaper Does
not SuDpOrt Governor TiIInian.

Word in Reply. to the Columbia Reg.
Ist er, IN Which Is Given Some Rea.
SONS why this Newspaper Does
not Support Governor TilInian.
| Editor Wilson, of the Abbeville Press and
Banner, Is q just and fair. m inded man as
WAS evidenced by the impartial report of his
County meeting, and the frank onfession
that Tillman's strength over the State had in.
creased rather shan diminished. We want
Brother Wilson to come oyer on the side OF
| the people In this fight, and we believe he
will do so. He is too good and true man TO
lend his talent and influence 10 further the
spleen and resentment OF q hopeless faction.
whose patriotism only extends TO The limit OF
tory in 1890 and an insatiate thirst for office.
| No earthly power can defeat Tillman's re-
election, for, as the Press and Banner con-
fesses, he Is the undoubted choice OF the peo-
pie. Majority rule Is the fundamental princi-
pei OF Democracy, and 1t now becomes his
duty TO yield personal preference on the
shrine of unity and harmony, and help
cement our party and draw all factions to-
gether. 1t will be a noble and praiseworthy
act on the part Of Editor Wilson. and we
know him to be man with the honesty and
his party commands. bia Register.
In so lar as our brother speaks OF our Inn"
partial report Of the meeting at Abbevllle
last Saleday, we thank him.
think that we desire TO be fair and honest. AS
far as this editor knows himself be has no
other guide or ambition than to do the right.
But we confess 10 degree Of modification
think that we could be Induced to support
Mr.. Tillman. Our Unborn nature would not
allow US to do 80, and If we violated our con-
victIons we would sacrifice our own personal
seli-respect. Mr.. Tillmans followers would
lose respect for US II we Joined In this unholy
crusade against the decency and respectable
ity Of South Carolina, and supported his ad-
ministration In the unjust, unfair and IN.
N
the railroads more than their Just proportion
Of the burdens Of the Government. We feel
shat the most violent or most intolerant sup
porters Of Mr.. Tillman's administration re-
gard this editor with at least some degree Of
respect for honesty OF purpose, and because OF
their good opinion we would not, II for no
ment to an administrator on when doing what
the more intelligent'of their number know to
be morally wrong. We flatter ourselves In
thinking that Mr.. Tillman's supporters In
we would do what we know to be unjust.
We excuse the editor of the Register for his
suggestion, because he does not know US, and
iae weh hsVe praceed
Governor Tillman have been SO distateful to
US, that we have refused TO join in doing
what we believed to be unfair. While being
ourself pronounced 'anti." yet we have at
times felt like protesting against the manners
and methods OF our own wing OF the Demo-
cratic party in its treatment OF Mr.. Tillman.
We have sometimes felt like demonstrating
with our friends for covering up what seemed
10 us the Governors best intentions by his
errors or doubtful acts Of procedure.
As matter Of fact. we believe Governor
man OF ability, aud we believe in his official
correspondence he has done himself and the
State credit.
Governor Tillman in the primary election,
and we presume II would not be amiss 10
state some of our reasons for not supporting
him:
First-He seems not to aspire to be Cover
official position TO irritate and aggravate
those who are not his supporters: AS one ey-
idence OF this fact see article copied from the
Second-As Governor he should not seek to
array one class against another, but should
strive to bring harmony among the people
ere ne nd he M TOO
too near to an assumption OF the powers Of
the judiciary. while attempting, for spiteful
reasons, to bring the judges into public con-
tempt.
Third-The Governor. like the President. is
ut the head Of society In his sphere, and be-
cause Of this fact, he should observe the COM
ciety. @ T For H Instance: When TS he is is approach ]
ed by any citizen, either socially or ofhcially.
he should not, as Governor, give vent to pas
sion or fire volley OF ill.mannered oaths at
his petitioner. The humblest citizen. as we'll
as the highest, is entitled to q respectful hear
Ing, and the Governors proper regard for his
own position should restrain lin from
coarse profanity in the presence OF those who
come In respect, or IL may be In humility.
Fourth-The Governors utter and absolute
disregard for the religious feelings Of his peo-
pie Is evidenced In his using profane
Ia when to TsT
Christian people should respect their relig-
ious convictions. A disregard OF things
which any people hold sacred is violative OF
vVnnn md plarS /
tit fok their ruler.
Finh-Governor Tillman's influence in pro-
noting profanity and In lowering the stand
ard Of morals among the people has been SO
great that 1t may be said that the combined
efforts OF all the preachers in the land will be
insufficient TO correct his evil influence In
the next five years.
Sixth-No man who corrupts the manners
OF the people, and encourages open profanity,
and q general disregard OF sacred things, |
comes up to our ideal Of proper Governor Of
a Christian people, and therefore we cannot
Seventh-The Governor Of a great State
should not fly into passion, and utter dis
respectful language In reference TO those c!ti.
on the stump, he does so In double capacity
AS Governor and as candidate for reelection |
and he should not insult any class OF peo
pie, with the idea OF thereby appealing tO
the prejudice OF another class.
Eighth.We cannot support the present ad.
ministration, because OF It's unequal, unjust |
and malicious execution OF the tax laws. No
politician ever had better motto than
none" We endorse thatsetiment unreserved-
ly. But we deprecate the uufairness, the ma |
lciousness and the extortion which has been
practioed under that banner. We have good
turns his own individual property for taxa.
ton at from thirty to fifty per cent OF Its real
value. For this act we have nothing TO
charge against him. The return is as good as
thousands nfharS--innInninp -
sibly our own. But the moral wrong, and the
approach to disrepltable act on the part OF
this Government lies In the fact that the OF.
hcers under Governor Tillman's administra-
assess the corporations,-if not at moro than
the actual worth of their property, certainly
at rate greatly In excess OF that at which
the property OF private citizens Is returned,
including the Governor himself. With our
present convictions, highway robbery is just
as honorable as the using Of official power to
extort unjust taxation from one class OF citt-
zens, while allowing another class to dodge.
Believing that the machinery OF the law has
been used to oppress corporations, while the
officers themselves have lodged fair taxa
tegrity, and would ourself be party to the
act, If we supported the perpetrators OF the
crime. How any man acquainted with the
facts and claiming common honesty, can en-
against the corporations is more than we can
understand. We believe In "equal rights TO
all and special privileges to none," and will
forever protest against any act which has the
tendency TO confiscate one mans property
while allowing another to escape just pro-
portion of the burdens of the Government.
Ninth-We have not forgiven this admins
tration for the calamity which IT has inflicted
on this people In the establishment OF Glenn
son College. We had no sufficient need for
that College, and 1t will be for all time to
come. heavy burden Oh the people, without
giving In return fair equivalent. We had
enough colleges already. Although the COL
lege Is not open. is there not to-day a
corns of professors In the paY OF the Govern