Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1892-09-22
.emain at the head of affairs, especially

remain at the head of affairs, especially
in times of excitement and agitation.
They either become disguised from fail
ure to give satisfaction and retire into
obscurity. or are compelled to give away
to those who are more daring and ambi-
tious who rise to the top, and who, in the
end, fall under the dominion of some
tyrant of their own making or creation,
who has the boldness to take the lead
and rule with the iron rod of military
despotism, which makes the ultimate
condition the worst form of government
the world has ever been cursed with,
but the oily power that can govern in
desperate times AMI give any degree OF
protection either to life, liberty or pro-
perty.
1t should be the object of the states
man, in moments of political agitation,
to remove all causes of complaint, show
to the people that their interest is looked
after, prove to them that no one enjoys
greater advantage than another, re-
move all real or imaginary expressions,
protect all occupations, equalize ali taxes,
do away with all od;ous and oppressive
taxation, and when this is done see to it
that the government acts firm. that the
law is executed and IS weight fs.llO apon
all alike.
The talent however of using political
power so as not to abuse it, is, as it ap-
pears from the teachings of history, the
last acquisition of mankind, and it is now
to be feared that many difficulties will be
experienced by those who have shoulder
ed the responsibility as reformers, and
from whom so much is expected. lis an
easy thing to demand reform; it is an
other and quite different matter to be
able to carry it into effect with practical
laws which will insure its enforcement,
and give satisfaction to those who are
clamoring for change, and herein lies our
greatest danger. They (the reformers)
will meet no trouble from the opposition,
as they are going to be neutral; but the
demands from their own party will posi-
bly, be more than they can give or theii
sense of justice will allow. AS rulers
and law makers of the whole people tley
cannot afford to pass laws in the interest
of single faction or class, for there is
an arbiter in every bosom, and whenever
difficulty is experienced it is safe guide
to consult and follow; that arbiter is
conscience, and am constrained to be-
lieve they will have recourse to it when
perplexities arise, and as Christians its
warning will be needed.
'sWe should all bear in mind that there
is no unmixed good in human affairs; the
best principles pushed to excess degene-
rate into fatal vices"
The discomfort which seems so firmly
EMBEDDED in the agricultural class, and
TIE evils of which they so bitterly COM
plain, should and will be relieved and
corrected so far as the State can regulate
and adjust them. If it be corruption
among rulers it now lies in the party of
reform to lop off and correct the abuses.
The great enthusiasm with which the |
people all over the State have hailed Gov.
Tillman as deliverer and welcomed him
as Moses to lead them out Of the will
dc-ness into Sae r.1..:ised land, certainly
means something more than mere show.
He will now have full scope to bring
about the reforms desired, as virtually
AL the positions Of honor and trust
within the State are in the hands of those |
who approve of what he recommends;
and it is to be hoped they may use their
power wisely. He may possibly have
reached the top round of the ladder in
his influence, and his fame and fortune be
at it's highest elevation. Certainly this
will be true if he calls a halt, and falls
short of what he has promised, and lead
the people to hope for, or to believe he
could accomplish.
He will experience some reaction now
in his own ranks and will be asked to
pause and consider before taking some
of the steps that he has so strongly ad-
vocated.
Such is the history of the world.
Already think l see signs OF its coming
and this feeling will be more marked as
the time approaches for action. This is
to be ascribed to law as certain as the
laws which govern and regulate the sea-
sons. 1T is the nature of man to over
rate present evil and to under-rate pres
ent good, to long for what he has not.
and to be dissatisfied with what he has.
To this influence on the -tate of great
communities may be ascribed most OF
the revolutions and counter-revolutions
recorded in history" A hundred gene
ratious have elapsed since the first great
national emancipation, when people.
bowed to the earth under cruel task mas
ters, raised such a cry OF misery as
pierced the very heavens. They were
wonderfully set free. At tie moment OF
their liberation they raised song of
gratitude and triumph. but in few
hours they began to murmur against
their leader. Since that time the his
tory Of every great deliverer has been the
history of Moses retold.
"Down to the present hour rejoicings,
like those on the shore of the Red Sea,
have ever been speedily followed by mur-
murings like those at the waters OF
strife
Pursuit gives pleasure more than gain;
Man hurries on the world around,
Possession seems his only aim,
But happiness is seldom found.
In conclusion, let me say that, though
I dislike Gov Tillman's methods. have
confidence in his ability; and, though he
is Democrat and an Aliianceman, |
trust he is more of patriot than either,
and has the courage and tirmness to resist
the ultra measures that may be urged by
a portion Of his supporters, the wisdom
and experience to ally himself with the
moderate and virtuous of his party.
NJ. w. COLEMAN.