The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1892-03-02
Letter Of General Earle.
GREENv1LLE Feb, 20; 1892
he Editor of the News and Courier;

To the Editor of tho News and Courier;
Your circular letter has been received. You
ask that express my views As to the political
utnatiop. and as to the course that the couSer
yative people Of the State SHOULD pursue.
Never before perhaps in the history of South
Carolina has it been 80 important az now for
the people To be conservative IN all that they
NAV say or do III political matters. For never
before bave the white people been so divided
| in sentiment aud separated into factions Dy ini
ternal dissensious. The continuation or this
condition will necessarily tend to drive them
further apart. and will prevent their co-opera-
ton for the good OF the State.
have no axe to grind, ,.or have any per-
soual wrongs to aveDge. opposed the election
Of Governor Tillman in the last campaign Win
| all the earnestness OF my nature because pc :
lieved that he should be defeated. The people
however, decided otherwise and he was tri-
amphantly elected Those who opposed his g.
lection ere naturally sore over their disap-
pointment. and large number of them are
still dissatisfied. But under our system OF gov
ernment the ma ajority muAt rule and ths mlnorl
ty must submit. The more quietly and grace
fully that they yeild to the will OF the majority
the better it il tor all concerned.
Governor TiIlman has been many times con-
demued for his njust criticism Of Others, ard
Unjust criticism OF him by his opponents Will
not iniure him. but will tend 10 his advantage
II it was wrong III him to slander Others when
he was candidate, it is simply wrong in others
to slander him while he is Governor.
Let his former opponents deal justly with
him and give him due credit for all that he
may do or try to do for the good Of the State.
That he has done many things that are to be
commended nUue CAN deny that he has done
some things that may be commended all will ad
nit, but sny man in his position aud with his
surroundings would be liable to make some
mistakes.
Then Iwould suggest to the anti .Tilmanites
that jt would be we'll to deal fairly with him
and avoid committing the same sin OF Which ne
has been so often accused. Don't follow his
example by making unjust accusations against
him and by magnifying little faults into grew
GUS sins This course will not bring the two
factions together. but can result only In Keeping
them apart.
My deliberate, judgment is that Governor Till
mau is at present rs strong with the farmers az
be ever was. and believe he will be reelected
over any one who will probably take the field
against him. This being true, 1t would be folly
for any Of the anti Tillmanites to oppose him.
Such opposition would intensity the liter feel
ing which now unfortunately exists among
the white people, and succeed only by invoking
the aid Of the negro vote. Victory at such
cost would be too dearly bought. Give me Till
man q Thousand times before Scott or Mo-
ses
When the convention meets, let him be nom
inateG If majority Of the delegates are in his
favor; and if nominated let him be elected
without opp osition 80 far as any Democrat is
concerned Our best, wisest aud most conser-
vative meu should be elected to the General Az
sembly. This is far more important than the Q.
lection Of any man HI Governor. With good
Legislature. bad Governor can do little harm
with a bad Legislature, good Governor can
do little good.
Respectfully,
Jos. H. EARLE.