The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-08-08
A Counter Organization.

e-Ie -
There is wisdom in the sugges-
ton offered by the Columbia State
for the organization of q Demo-
cratic league. There are symptoms
bodlng the downfall of the Democ-
racy in South Carolina and IL the
ascendancy ofthe party is to be pre-
served the dictates of common
sense are that it should e%ntrench
itself while there is time.
The ADVERTISER does not pre-
tend to say that the Alliance will
certainly cooperate with the Third
party next year and we do not be-
lieve that the leaders of the Re-
form movement will consent to a
Remuneration of the Democratic
name unless they see victory in
their grasp under another which
better signifies their political doc
trines. 1t is a fact, however, that
the recent action of the State AL
lance is intended to bind Alliance
men to vote for candidates who
promise TO MAINTAIN the leading
planks of the Populist platform
against the policy of all other par
ties. If 1t is submitted to the
Democracy will find itself forced
to fight for existence.
The danger to the party a only
be met by an organization which
will hold the teachings of the De-
mocracy above Populists, Republi-
cans or other organizations and
that is what the State proposes.
This organization should not be
in any sense a political party. 1t
should invite 10 membership all
citizens who pledge themselves to
adhere to the National Democratic
party and who profess to believe in
Its principles Is declared in the
platforms OF the National Conven-
tlons. 1t would be expected that
its membership should be com
posed of persons Of all factions Of
the State Democracy. There are
hundreds of T~illmanites, and we
hope the majority of them. who are
still faithful to pure Democracy
and who have no disposition to
join the Populists. Many of those,
we believe, would willingly and
gladly unite with an organization
whose reason for existence would
be to save the party from disrup-
ton.
Inasmuch as the suggestion
comes from Anti Tillman papers,
the proposed league would be
favored with the customary de-
nunciations and ISLANDERS. ACCUSE
tions that it was an independent
ring rule machine would be
hurled against it from such mud
mortars as the Piedmont Head
light and the Abbeville Medium,
but the time has happily come
when even the most rancorous
"Reformers" are beginning to ques.
ton the responsibility of their ut
terances. After Il time prejudice
would die q natural death and the
league would be recognized in its
true character of a device to bind
together those whose Democracy
remained u%ntainted.
Nothing Is SO necessary to South
Carolinians as that the white peo-
pie should continue united and to
this end the league would serve its
highest purpose. Normally and
left free to follow their own judg-
ment thrce-fourths of our people
are Democrats but the menace is
that a portion of them will be cor
rallied apart from the old organiza-
ton by a few shrewd leaders. 1t
Is probable that a determined and
concentrated opposition in the
field beio-e the rebellion of these
treacherous leaders has made great
Roadway would have the effect Of
quelling it before they commit any
overt act of treason.
On the other hand, If those DEM
ocrats who are loyal remain idle
now it is just as likely as not
that they will awake after n few
months to discover themselves cap.
tured, disarmed, helpless and hope