Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-09-22
4 CONSERVATIVE VIEW.
SENECA. s. C.. September 20. 1892.

SENECA, S. c., September 20, 1892.
MEssRs. EDITORS: Since the primaries
are over, and the dominant faction has
everything their own way, Success hav-
1 ing crowned their efforts all over the
State,) have thought it not out of place
to say something, as I figured, in small
way, in the campaign, and gave express
sion tony sentiments then, possibly
it would interest some to know my feel
ings now. Though my name is not
McGregor, neither can boast of stand
ing upon my ''native heath,' yet trust
l am as loyal as the warm-hearted Scott
that gave birth to this expression. Had
I consulted my interest, certainly Iwould
not have been found in position which
appeared, at least, to oppose the interest
of those with whom come in contact
daily in business. 1 had all to lose and
nothing to gain by such course, excene
the consciousness of duty done. knew
the faction espoused was in hopeless
minority, and had to take all the sneers
-, jeers, rs eef;t Is t,,e,iosnlts and abuse
that are generally heaped upon minority
faction. 1 further felt assured that it
would be useless to appeal to reason
while agitation and passion held strong
sway, for at such times consequences are
not considered, and the public at large
will listen to but one side. But it is all
over now, and 1 am glad that things went
Just as they did and just as the people
wanted them. No one will support the
ticket more cheerfully than I, and if |
could 1 would not throw single obsta-
Gle in the way of it's complete success.
advised against Gov. Tillman's recon-
mendations, proclaimed all over the
State in his campaign speeches, because
1 thought they were not suitable to the
interest of our people. Individually they
will do me no harm; in fact. | believe
their adoption will be to nay advantage.
/ knew that to antagonize them would
bring temporary displeasure with his
admirers, and my opposition would be
misconstrued, but, Notwithstanding this,
I could not afford to support what my
conscience did not approve. firmly
believe that will not have to live to any
distant day to witness some of these
recommendations repudiated by many
who appear, at least, to be their strong
est supporters and warmest advocates.
I hope. Eowever, that the dominant fac
ton will 60 forward and make all the
| reforms they may think necessary, and
many of them will meet my hearty appro-
val. None will oppose, as l believe in
submitting quietly, patiently and will
ingly to what majority of my country
men wish and impose
The time, however, for reflection has
come, and some changes may be looked
for which may temper matters and be
advantageous in bringing about COM
promise which will result in satisfaction
to all. Politics is nothing more or less
than compromise measures anyway
, between conflicting opinions OF what is
thought to be wise and best under exist
ing circumstances. The i'll regulated
I pu6llc spirit that has been exercised all
over the State, wherever these issues have
been discussed before the people, is now
part of our history, and it remains to
be seen what has been gained. We have
~1tnessed men do for party and for their
favorite schemes of political and social
reform what they would not do, either to
enrich or avenge themselves, simply
because there was multitude at their
back, and under the mistaken notion
that all depended upon the success OF the
movement in which they were engaged,
forgetting apparently that it mattered not
how things went. but little difference
would be felt by the great majority OF
TIE people, nor would all the blessings
that they hoped to receive, if it were
possible to come into possession OF them,
provided they were achieved in legal
way, ever repay for the sacrifices made
and ties broken, which we, in our rash
ness and earnestness. have torn asunder,
without thinking or even inquiring the
motive Of the opposition in whose ranks
often stood father or brother and near
est of kin, who took different view OF
matters and chose to make the fight or
struggle for the same things in differ
ent way How often would factions the
most opposite be reconciled If they could
meet and read each others thoughts, "
but in the nature of things this cannot
be, for mankind once aroused will not
listen to reason nor warning of any kind.
"It would seem as if at particular
periods. from causes inscrutable to
human wisdom, universal frenzy seizes
mankind, experience and prudence are
alike blinded" :" and no one can foretell
consequences nor where we are tending.
"Who could have anticipated the ter
rible flood of passion and crime which
were let loose on the world at the COM
mencement of the French Revolution.
when all writing, all thoughts and all
actions seem to have but one end, the
extirpation of abuses, the propagation Of
virtue, the relief of the people, and the
permanent establishment OF freedom
"as well as equal rights to all and special
nri " lepeS to none
But it is thus that the most terrible
commissions are ushered into The world.
THE night is serene, the sunset fair,
which precedes the fury of the tornado
The tendency of all public convulsions
is TO run into extremes, for it is only by
extremes that agitators can subvert the
present order of things. 1t is by holding
out promises that can never be realized
and overstating existing corruption III
high places that their objects are eai-ed.
AS soon as they become rulers themselves
and the responsibility is thrust on their
own shoulders they find apparently, to
their surprise, that they can do no move
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