The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-11-08
Wednesday, Nov. 8, 1898.
Hampton's Letter.

Esq., Will D6 I6dQ ny oV6TyDOuy.
General Hampton, upon his defeat for re-
election behaved himself with becoming dig
nifty. and even those who voted to put anoth'
er in his place did 80 with regret.
But they thought the time had come when
new mon sheuld be put in office, and so they
in sorrow retired their beloved chieftain OF
49,.
Though every citizen has perfect respect and
love for him, yet the mention Of his name
now no longer electrifies the great public
heart.
As far as we now recollect, no man has eyer
sssailed his fair fame, or attempted to pluck
one laurel from his distinguished brow.
His unequalled career as leader has been
ended. and his day as a moulder Of public
opinion has passed.
His glorious record and his untarnished
reputation in war and in peace have been re-
corded, and the historic book may now De
closed.
Forgetful OF the fact that the times change
and that men change with them he still
dreams OF the past and fails to realize that
his power as q leader has departed from him,
and that his counsel is no longer needed by
bis beloved oountrymen.
The great and chivalrous Hampton now
lives in recorded history, and his achieve
ments and triumphs have been as great as
those OF any other Carolinian, but his work is
finished.
With q record 30 high and with a character
which no man could assail, it Is to be regret
ted that he now in his old age should do any.
thing to bedim 80 bright q record.
II we read bis letter Alright it is nothing
more nor less than an effort TO do that which
would result in permanent division among
o people who should be at peace with them
selves and all mankind.
General Hampton by his letter brings again
to notice the ghost of the Hasx ellism or the
Independentism which We had in 1880.
Because they do not see as he does, General
Hampton would read the great mass OF the
people OF this State out OF the Democratic
party, and he counsels the withdrawal OF
small faction of his friends from all partici-
patton in the affairs Of the government, and
It may be set down as fact that no man who
would take his advice to quit the Democratic
party to follow him into little Independent
or Haskellite squad, no matter under what
ever name, need expect TO hold office or be
Whatever the facts may be, 1t will be hard
TO convince the people that the act Of q Popu-
list In quitting the Democratic party is essen
TALLY different from that Of a National or In
dependent Democrat who does the same
thing. II both quit tie State Democracy
does not one deserve about as much credit az
the other for honesty Of purpose and patriotic
intent? Both put themselves beyond the
pale OF the Democratic fold, and are NJ longer
our political allies.
The only way for the members OF the de-
posed faction to regain power and Office Is
through the votes Of the people, and how any
set Of men expect to gain political office by
Withdrawing their fellowship and insulting
the people ls more than we can understand.
With very few exceptions we believe the
people recognize the fact that the Tillnanites
are now more solidly united than they have
been at any previous time.
The antis have no recognized leader, and
q large per cent. OF them are as much op-
posed to Haskellism as they are to Tillman-
ism.
General Hampton may as we'll understand
this soon as late, and he ought to know that
he II no longer q power In South Carolina,
and that 1t will be q long time before he can
make any apology for Haskellism, and before
any movement which originates In Columbia
will take hold OF the people.
General Hampton ought not to write letters
now, but he ought to preserve dignified 81
lence.
If he comes hack to South Carolina to Or
ganize Haskellite or Independent clubs he
ho AoH no nj q
the people and attempts to tell them that
they are no longer Democrats, the people who
honored him years ago, may make II unpleas-
ant for him.
Speaking for the Press aud Banner we want
no repetition Of the foolishness Of 1892, when
this country was torn asunder for no possible
good and when 1t was not possible for any
good result TO follow.
We intend TO stick to the Democratic party
OF South Carolina, no matter what platform
It may adopt or who 1t may put into office.
We intend to stick to the people and we in
tend to work for the good OF all. and we shall
strive for the honor OF the State according to
the lights before us.
Il IN very little to us II one man is put in Of
nee and II another is retired to private life.
The needed thing is obedience 10 law and
respectful submission to the will of the ma
jority Of the people.
No matter how selfsunicient or how self
opinionated the minority may be, and no
matter how little personal regard they may
have for tie men who hold the offices. yet it
Ia the soty OF the minority to yield due and
proper respect to those in authority.
The people who are now standing to Till
IN Hop In
Just as good to-day as they were then. Hamp-
ton and TilIman are different men, but the
people who voted for them are the same.
II they were patriots in '76 they are none
the less loyal to South Carolina in 1898,
though they may choose different leaders.