The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-25
Can't We Publish Better HumOred
Papers?

EaPSES.
II seems to the Press and Banner, II we are
to Judge from the tone of the press of the
State, that the times are out Of joint, and ev-
erythipg isgoing wrong.
A large per cent. Of the editorials are full
OF fault-finding, and seldom anything is
found to commend itself to the good opinion
of the learned editors who conduct the press.
In the general chapter Of accidents 1T seems
that we might now and then find something
worthy OF approval, or at least occasionally
see something that would not excite our CON-
demnason.
Examine the country and city papers at
random and see If the warp and woof of a
large per cent. OF the editorials are not OF the
fault-fnding kind, or else tinged with abuse
OF somebody or some party.
We have no advice to give to any brother
printer, but merely remark on state Of facts
as we believe they exist
Constant 6ault-finding, with never anything
to approve Is weakening our influence, is do
ing no good, and the warfare can have no 9th
er possible effect than to widen the existing
breach between our people.
or course In the nature OF things Governor
Tillman cannot hold his grip on the people,
and he must give place to others. But we can
solidify the people against us so that we will
have in the future, as at the present, but little
influence In the affairs OF the government 1t
Is worse than foolish to needlessly excite an
tagonisms, TO keep up an aimless warfare
which cannot possibly result in good TO any
body.
If we 60 on carplng and fault-finding our
side will finally have no strength at all. You
can kick dog until people will be sorry for
the abused animal, and spiteful and unjust
criticisms of State officials, even for their
very best and most earnest efforts to serve the
people, will be unavailing, except to make
them set their faces against those who do the
wrong.
Just now there Is an attempt to belittle the
act OF refunding the State debt at ~ per
cent. and fault is found Of the Supreme Court
for sustaining the act of the officials in PET
fecting the advantageous trade.
1t has been contended that other Governors
could have refunded the State debt at 4 per
cent. The truth is, that history records the
fact that real-genuine.o dregime-orthodox-
true.blue Democrats, in the regular line OF
succession, failed or never even attempted In
the past to make any such advantageous sale
OF bonds as has just been accomplished by
Governor Tillman.
A tremendous protest has gone up from ev.
cry quarter OF the State against the dispen.
sary law, and some town councils have or
dained that they are above the law, and will
issue license Notwithstanding the law OF the
State prohibiting such license.
That Of course is only brag and blgster,
a.
age some foolhardy individual to place him.
self In the clutches Of tie law and In the mer-
cy Of the very people whom he would defy.
Everyb body knows there Is not business man
10 theState who would offer TO make such ille-
gal sale Of whiskey and assume to defy the laws
Of the State. Then why make figures of our
selves before the public, when reduced to the
last analysis. we've got to behave ourselves or
60 to jail ...
The ill-advised talk about the railroad law
injuring the railroads, and. incidentally, af-
fecting the credit OF the State, has failed TO
impress the entire outside public with the
justice OF our assertions. 1t seems that the
roads in Georgia and North Carolina are ex-
listing under laws very similar to ours. We
do not deny that the law may be oppressive II
the officers choose to exercise their brief au-
thority in cruel and malignant spirit. On
the other hand, they may not interfere with
the roads in such way as to Injure them.
Then why not wait for the overt act before
discharging our thunderbolts?
Even the death OF Benjamin F. Butler fur
nished occasion for a general outpouring
from their walls Of wrath to such an extent
that the very air itself seems freighted with
sulphur.
II the people could have only a few days Of
rest, and could have some new editorials,
looking 10 the public or individual welfare, 1t
IS fair to presume their readers would be
grateful.
"The whole head Is sick, the whole heart is
faint" with the repetition Of everlasting and
unceasing complaints.