The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1892-03-09

expressing their opinions on them?
Newspapers are the vehicles through
and by which news is communicated
to the public, which the public wants.
The editors and reporters, men like the
balance of us, express their opinions in
their editorials, and why should they
not? It does not make them public
enemies. What they say may be en-
titled to no more weight than what
other mortals say, but they have a
right, nay more, a duty, to give their
opinions, and they are accepted or re-
jected as they are wise or otherwise.
Why should patriotic citizens Of the
State, who d. not approve of all the
methods and policies and acts of the
present Administration, be denounced
as "Bourhons," aristocrats," "ring-
sters," etc? And why should those
who approve of the methods, policies
and acts of the present Administration
be denounced as ''enemies to the State"
"political tricksters." etc, etc? There
is no sense in all this. No good, but
untold harm must result from it.
1t would be uncandid in me to say
that the present Administration is not
amenable to criticism. A good many
things have been done and left undone
which do not meet ny approval, but
it is entitled to fair treatment. News
papers publish severe criticisms of the
Administration ard they have right
to publish them. Other newspapers
publish vigorous vindications of the
Administration, and they, too, have
right to publish them-but abuse and
vituperation never settled controversy
and never will. Political issues in
free country are settled by facts and
arguments intelligently and fairly pre-
sented to the people. In enlightened
communities such facts and arguments
only are effective.
Governor Tillman himself said in
the beginning of his Administration he
would be environed by many difficult
IS, that he would encounter fierce op-
position, critical judgment, etc., and
he has not been disappointed. How
much of this he has invited by his own
course the public understands. As one
of those who voted for him enter
tanned the hope that, once elected and
installed, he would adopt a conserva-
tive, concillatory course and allay the
irritation aroused by the exciting can
vass. I think he had it in his power
to have done so, and sincerely regret
he did not, but he is the best judge of
his own actions and conduct, and 1
presume is prepared to stand or fall by
them.
This much by way of preface IA very
long preface admit brings me to the
point of suggesting plan upon which
think we all ought to agree.
Each faction, no doubt, honestly
thinks it has majority of the Demo-
cratic voters behind it. Majorities shift
with such astonishing rapidity in this
country that few things are more un-
certain and deceptive. a faction or
party il a majority this year may be in
a hopeless minority next year.
How then are we to ascertain who
majority ofthe Democratic
voters? I answer, by primary elec-
ton. Submit the claims of every can
didate to the people and let them decide
at the polls who they want. Having
decided in this way every Democrat in
the State should and will rally to those
a majority of the votes and
close up our divided ranks.
Surely nobody wishing to carry out
the will of the majority can object to
that. Governor Tillman, desirous OF
vindicating his Administration, would
doubtless want fair contest n an open
field, and this method would give it to
him.
Other gentlemen becoming candi-
dates would want an equal opportuni-
ty to criticise him and present their
claims. They, too, would be content
to submit themselves to the people in
this way. The people themselves GER
tainly should not object. The newspa-
pers should not object, for it would
furnish grist for their mills and give
them chance to vindicate their move
ment. Why, then, should not the State
executive committe provide for prl-
mary election for I'll State officers, as is
now provided for members of Congress
and solicitors, and let the candidates
have it out before the people?
Meantime each candidate can organ
ize his forces, and, the better organized,
the more intelligent will be the dis
cussion and more satisfactory the re-
suit.
A call ha. been made for meeting
of those opposed to the present Admin
istration in Columbia the latter part OF
March, to nominate cadidate for Gov
ernor. This is rather an innovation
on Democratic usage, but I know oE no
law against it. The example was set
two years ago, and I presume any man
or set of men have right to nominate
candidates. 1t is reassuring that the
movers of this March Convention, all
leading, reputable, influential, patriot
ic citizens, propose to make their ngn1
within the Democratic party and ABIDE
the result. 1t i. to be supposed they
will organize their forces Thoroughly
and Systematically in every county,
and that Governor Tillman, who is un-
derstood to be a candidate to succeed
himself, is "looking after his fences"