The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-08-01
FARLEY's REPLY TO IRBY.
A SCORCHING LETTER TO THE
PUBLIC.

lima Is Denounced In UnmeaSufed
Terms-An UnprOfitableC Controversy
Between Reform Leaders.
Cen. Hugh l.. Farley has given tC
the public the following communica.
tion, in which he scores Senator Irby
numerically, but does not throw any
new light upon the subject matter OF
their controversy:
| believe the public Is generally
aware that / have been waiting on
Capt. James Tillman, who announced
his intention OF answering Senator
Irby's article, the gist OF which Is that
he, Senator Irby, Is not the real author
or responsible for the statement in the
"Craddock" article, but that James
Tillman is, and he supports this asser-
tion by atiidavits from Maj. w. F..
Gary, DIR. Sampson Pope and one Mat
thew Tighe, his secretary.
Mr.. Tillman's reply was to the effect
liberate scoundrei in mixing q certain
amount of truth with error in order to
give his defence an air of plausibility
and to throw the whole blame on y
Capt. Tillman.
He asserts that Senator Irby "can-
not use him to commit political as
sassination." A singularly appropri-
ate expression! 1 will let Capt. Till
man speak for himself, however, and
will proceed to the consideration of
Senator Irby's card. In the first place,
3 | would congratulate the Senator him
self, and the public at large, upon the
wonderful change that my somewhat
vigorous exposure of the Senator has
had upon his manners, and | am sorry
/ cannot add upon his morals, for am
satisfied that by the time am through
the public will be convinced that he
has made very ingenious defense, but
has used his facts and the English
language for the purpose of concealing
the truth instead of telling it. Posi-
bly, | may owe that part of the public
who do not know Senator Irbyt we'll
something of an explanation or an
apology for the unusually vigorous but
appropriate language with which |
drew such an accurate and life-like
picture of the great Senator. They
are not aware of the long continued
provocation of which "CraddOck is
only sample, and [ would remind
them that it would be impossible to do
Justice to such monstrosity in any
thing like ordinary language and
whatever Is worth doing Is worth do
ing we'll"
In order that the public may catch
the whole matter clearly 1 will state
that last Christmas, while snow-bound
here in Columbia, and afterwards
whilst still snOw-bound in Laurens, 1
prepared rough article on the politi-
cal situation in South Carolina, headed
The Reform Movement and "Some
Christmas Reflections of an Old Re-
former" This article, which was in
tended as a sort of philosophical criti-
cism or disquisitiOn on the Reform
rnnynnnnt in no rfionlar on1 ,plifioo II,
general in South Carolina was shown
and suggested to the criticism of prom
nent gentlemen in the State, in whose
Judgment had confidence, and whom
L considered comparatively free from
partisan feeling and prejudice. 1t was
written from a patriotic standpoint
and was intended for the good of Lhe
Reform movement and to "pour oil
upon the troubled waters" of the
State. 1t endeavored to criticise all
factions fairly and there is unavOidably
in such an article some honest and fair
criticism of Governor Tillman as pub
lie officer but there is no abuse of any
one, and the great political accident"
Senator lrby, is not even mentioned,
unless he can be recognized under the
general name of "demagOgue." So
far as Governor Tillman is concerned
there is hardly single sentiment in
the article that he has not heard me
express, and its general purpose, tone
and advice Is in strict accordance with
my we'll known views as given to him
and others on many occasions. While
contemplating it's publication under a
nom de plume on its merits read it to
Mr.. John G.. Capers, of the Columbia
journal, whose paper had announced
its intention to pursue nOn-partisan
course in accord with the general
spirit of the article, and also to Mr..
James II. Tillman, telling the latter
that I intended to bring the article to
Washington and submit it to the criti-
cism of his father, whom | considered
broad guaged statesman, who was,
with Gen. Gary, one of the founders of
the Reform Movement in South Caro-
lima. Mr.. Capers and Capt. Tillman
were both anxious to publish the ar
ticle, but I withheld it for further con-
sideration, and in accordance with the
advice of some of my friends, and in
consideration of the fact that it con-
tanned some criticism of Governor Till
MIN, to whose administration | be-
longed, l had almost, If not altogether,
abandoned the idea of publishing, but
now since it has been brought in ques-
tion, | will let it go to the press with
the request that although 1t Is some
what long every paper in the State
will publish it, and not only ask, but
I challenge a criticism OF it from the
standpoint of truth, true Democracy
and patriotism.
Governor Tillman fs> strong enough
ant, brave enough, not only to stand
but to accept the criticism it contains
in proper spirit, for, as Senator Irby
once SAID to him, in one of his flashes
of truth and honesty, "We both know
that Farley never flatters us or tells us
any lies" Possibly if the article is
carefully read, and its advice needed II
may yet represent the good that Is tC
come out of this controversy.
had been invited to stay with Capt
'Tillman in Washington, but the rusf
of visitors was so great that / re
manned with the staff, and during my
entire stay / did not have more than
dive-minute conversation with him, no.
did read or exhibit the article to an,
one in Washington. Meeting number
of friends, and seeking no office there
| was constantly engaged socially, ant
had but little to do with polite
in any form. The charge that had
conversation with Capt. Tillman an,
offered him an article for publication
which he refused, and told him OF
combination which had been agree
upon, Offering him the position OF Ad
iitant General, is as pure and IN
adulterated lie as was ever put upo
paper, no matter who Is the author o