The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1893-08-02

real conservatives, vino are largely in the
majority in the State. are divided be-
tween the Reformers and Conservatives.
o-called Haskellism and Third Party
ism are each in minority on each side,
though potent factors in the last division,
but they cannot reach each other or con-
troll the State, as they represent what
may be called the antipodes in politics.
1t is also curious to note that Tillman is
the dividing line or cause the division
between the real conservatives in the
State, a part of them going reluctantly
with the so-called Conservatives who
had cunningly adopted the Reform plat
form to catch them, because they knew
that they did not like Tillman, and tho
other party standing squarely by the Re-
form movement, as matter OF prlnci-
pie, though it was evident that many Of
them las we'll as many of the Third Party
itos, followed Tillman with reluctance.
From all of this, it is clear that the Re-
form movement, with all OF its essentials,
has taken a strong hold on the great ma
jority OF our people, and the conclusion
is inevitable that If Governor Tillman
had been differently constituted, or q
man Of more tact and address he could
easily have united, or possibly could
now unite the great majority, j. e., the
real conservative citizens Of the State.
The cause of division now does not lie in
the Reform movement, or with its
principles, but partly with Governor
rillman himself and more largely still
with the opposition, as will proceed to
show.
1t is pity that the opposition to the
Reform movement had not had tho wis.,
dom and foresight at any time since 10
and 80, when the movement first began
to try and conform to it, and to keep
abreast Of our people in their growth: md
progress. It is certainly made up of first
rate elements, which have shown them
selves patriotic and self-sacriticing in the
past. There is no doubt but that all this
agitation has cost us 3 greal deal outside
of the bitterness engendered, by the
struggle against the inevitable, and there
has so far been but little compensation
beyond the political success Of the move
ment and the political education of the
people. 1t may be foolish to indulge IN
such vain regrets, and would not allude
to them but for the purpose of making a
point for the future; but the truth is, our
real progress under the principles of the
Reform movement has just begun. Had
it not been for the almost senseless oppo-
sition to all the essential planks or prin-
ciples of the movement, which are now
generally accepted, we might several
years ago have been right where we are
to-day, or rather we might to-day be far
ahead of where we are, in the enjoyment
of an improved system of education, OF
agriculture, and Of homo or county and
township government, with improved
schools, roads and bridges. Our consti-
tutional convention might have already
been held, our Judiciary system fixed
upon and simplified, and the question of
regulated suffrage finally settled.
Governor Tillman has his faults, but
the agitation and even the contention
which was the outcome of it, was all
made necessary, if not unavoidable, by
the opposition, just as the Democrats
were reunited, and Third Partyism
avoided in the State, the Conservative
nomination holding the Reformers to-
gether, in the last campaign, but other
wise it was very foolish, and unneces-
sary contest, serving only to delay the
reconciliation of the conservative ele-
ments in the State. 1t serves to show
also what may seem paradoXical to some
that Governor Tillman's worst enemies
have proven his best allies.
Now, it would seem useless and fool
ish to indulge in this review Of the situa-
ton, tho Reform movement, as we'll as
the extended criticism Of both sides,
which have endeavored to make fairly,
unless I had some object or ulterior pur-
pose in view.
In recounting the essentials Of the Re-
form movement and pointing out the
errors that we as Reformers have made or
generally make; in criticising the actions
of both sides, and of Governor Tillman
as public man, and in pointing out the
peculiarities ald differences of all parties
to this political contest, my object has
been to show that there are now no radi-
cal differences between the real conser-
.vatives in the State who have accepted all
the essentials of the Reform movement,
and are willing to abide by them and
bury all the political bitterness in the
dead past. The real Reformers and the
real Conservatives, who are in large
majority in the State, can easily unite
upon platform like this and resolve that
the State shall be put upon high plane
of progressive development, and that all
unnecessary bitterness shall be froWned
down and shall cease, and when political
leaders and the press, who are more
largely responsible for the continuance
of bad feeling than any one else, realize
that such is their determination, we shall
hear no more of it.
1t has become imperatively necessary
for the real conservatives Of the State to
get together, because we are on the eve
of Constitutional Convention, and 1t is
of the utmost importance that it should
be filled with our ablest and best men,
and that none but real Reformers and
progressive men should be elected tn ere
to. They should be in harmony with all
of the essentials of the Reform move
ment, but at the same time free from
prejudice and partisan feeling, Our
people cannot be too strongly impressed
with the importance Of sending none but
their strongest and ablest men to the Con-
stitutional Convention, because 1t Is a
sovereign body and may do great deal
of good or great deal of harm to the
State. Besides the matters already
spoken of for its consideration, it might
finally dispose of several questions, such
as prohibition and the railroad questions,
which persist in disturbing the peace and
harmony Of our people,
In sending this waif, or in pouring this
oil out upon the troubled political waters,
let me say finally, that what We really
need in South Carolina is not only the
uniting of the real conservatives, but the
formation of more progressive move
ment in the State. The Reform move
ment, with all it's essentials, can do US
but little good until we unite to put them
into active operation. Let the real re-
former and conservative of the State
move up on this line. Let the towns
treat The country ith more consideration
and respect, and the country quit abusing
the towns. Let the newspapers cease
their perpetual and never-endiDg detrac-
ton and fault-fnding with Governor
Tillman, and give him a chance to be
conservative, and then see if he does not
meet the great emergency and prove
equal to the responsibility. The Haskell
ties may rage, and the Third Partyites
may roar, but no good can come of any
further agitation and bitterness unless it
be to put some unworthy demagogue in
power, or "driftwood" into the Constitu-
tiopal Convention, and this 1t is the high
est duty of every real reformer and real
conservative to prevent. We may agitate
and agitate, and we may talk reform as
much as we please, but as long as we
keep up this bitterness and bick kering,
our people are idle and dissatisfied, and
our interests and all industry Is languish-
ing, while we play into the hands of the
demagogue.
We may tall Of reducing taxation upon
which it can be done to any perceptible
degree. When we have settled our diff
ferences and ceased our quarreling /;
whom we have encouraged capital to come
into the State and help in its develop
o1 hoy, Ho