The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-03-10

ION among US; fullest and irCCSL discus
sion upon high planc-calm, rational
! discussion OF issues rather than men:
national issues upon which there Is prac'
tical aSrccment--is the first step in the
direction Of unity and harmony. All
discussion should be pitc ned upon high
| plane, free from personal vituperatien
and abuse. The man that leads OIL on
any personal or vituperatlvc line should
bu promptly side-tracked by all conscr-
vatve people, whatever their factonal
alliliation. The newspaper that prints
such, whether as news" or as editor
ial, or that misreprcsents any individual
or faction, should be made to iecl the
displcasurc of the conservative people
OF all classes in a very emphatic way.
n free ballot and fair count in the
primarics-a count above the talnt of
suspicion; and then absolute acqui-
cscence in the will of the majority thus
asccrtaincd will, in my Judgment, do the
work.. c., ''rCstOrc unity and harmony
among our people," Nothing short Of
thus will compass il. No individuals
nor collection OF individuals, can do it.
There is almost univ crsal ,lstrust Of
what are designated as political methods,
The action Of any delegated or uudelc-
gated body beforehand would be sls-
pcctcd of "wirc-pulliug" and .'swap-
plug' in the interest Of sCmG one and
against some one, Or Of having Il per-
soual animus. This would be incvita-
bic and unavoidable, however wisely
and natriOtically conducted. This dis
trust is the legitimate outcome OF pre-
valcnL journalistic methods. Uerc.o-
fore the press has been tull OF charges
oi political corruption. it is true; but the
charges have been uniformly preferred
against Republicans by Democrats, and
against Democrats by Republicans.
Lately there have been charges and
counter charges Of "dcalsn and OF cor
rupt trades as frequently against Dem.
ocratS by Democrats, and against Re-
publlcans by Republicans, as there lave
ever been, vice vcrsa--in the National
aud the state organizations. There
have been threats OF revolt from party
supremacy IN high circles. and in close
sequence rCvotS have come. to our pres
cul confusion and possible un,loinw.
F0rInCSc reasons, and others too pam
iul!y familiar, nothing short of an appeal
10 the people and absolute lcQujCScuuCc
IN their verdict will avail III this caS".
W G must get the question out OF the
hands OF all leaders whOmsocvcr. or
howsocver constituted, andrctcr it down
dlspassionatcly, apart from personal
ambitions and animositics, Cor suspicion
OF such, y to the people for settlement.
We must get to the people in the pri-
mares, ard we must abide with the puO-
pic when they have spoken. Doubt
less some few wise and patriotic men
might shape Il more consistent. more
| logical, a more symmetrical settlement, ,
but 1t could not stand bee ,usc it would
DOT have the people bchind it.
II there be any who will not s'.hmit
their opinions to the arbitramcnt o. the
ballot In the primaries for the sake OF
''unity and harmony in the party"
neither will they he ronciiatcd by any
concession, however or by whomsoe yer
offered, short OF full concurrence in their
views.
Now, Mr.. Editor, these are my views.
IheV are not new, perhaps, but they
represent the conclusions have reached
alter as careful consideration OF the sit
uatiOn as | have been able to give.
j. WM. STOKES.
l'rcsIdchC'" nn;.c South Carolina
state Farmers Alliance, Oran"cbur,,
| February 20.