The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1893-01-25
Ia History Repeating Itself?

When the war between the States had pro-
gressed so far that even wayfaring man
could see the probable result Of the uneven
contest, some brave and patriotic Con federate
soldiers asserted that even If General Lee and
President Davis should be captured, and the
Confederate armies disbanded, the warfare
would then be stronger and f1ercer than ever
before individuals would band themselves
together as bush whack ers and guerillas, and
would fall upon the enemy at the unguarded
places, destroying all that came within their
reach, and then the assailants would disperse
for season so that there would be nothing
for the Union army to com mbat-and great lot
of other impracticable dreaming was done on
the same scale.
Now, in this year OF peace, when the hus-
bandman has been literally rewarded for bis
labor, and when no organized political par
ties are in the field, does 1t not seem that our
polii icians, in blindly fighting the duly elect
ed officers OF the government, and Incidental
ly bringing reproach upon the whole people,
are repeating in fact the foolish threat OF the
onfederate soldier. who would have contin-
ued the war after peace had been declared?
When opposing political forces were mar
shaIled under chosen leaders. it was right and
proper for every man to do everything in his
power that he might think would help 10
bring success To his own side OF the contest.
But when the contest by mutual agreement,
has been left to the arbtrament Of the ballot.
II is our duty 10 lay down our arms, submit to
defeat as gracefully as we would have expect
ed the other side " do, II we had outnumber-
ed them.
The right way. in our opinion Is, to keep IN
eye on the administration, and to keep a
scrap book, too. Let the administration
alone, but watch it. and IF Mr.. Tillman and
his Legislature are not wiser and better than
the average Governor and the ordinary Legls-
lators they will make record before the
opening of the next campaign.
When the campaign opens we should Judge
them by that record. and should show up
their errors and mistakes with all the ability
we possess, and then We should appeal to the
people to correct whatever mistakes have
been made.
It is, In our opinion. a waste of ammunition
to keep on firing our shot when 1t is utterly
and absolutely impossible TO effect any result.
Neither political faction is nov orgauized,
and there is no possibility of doing any good
by keeping up political bushwhacking or
guerilla warfare, II such 1t may be termed.
Let rs not now expend our ammunition.
But let US keep good supply of shot In the
locker, so that when occasion does arise, we
may use II to some effect.
Next year we can ask Tillman to state
his reasons for funding our six per cent bonds
at ~ per cent. g..
Wecan then call him to account for bis part
in passing the dispensary law, whereby five
thousand men In the State Of South Carolina
we're compelled to quit the liquor business
and were allowed the opportunity Of going
into some OF the useful and beneficial pur.
suits.
We can then ask him TO explain why he en-
couraged the passage Of law which liberated
the money and houses which are now employ,
cd in the liquor business, so that they, too,
might be added to the capital and property
which might then be aiding in the upouild-
Ing OF the moral and financial condition OF
the State.
We can then fire at him and shoot at his fol-
lowers the solIdest kind Of shot for their part
In passing the Ubiquitous railroad legislst tion,
and we can then bring indisputable facts TO
show wherein the law has injured the State.
We can then tell the people OF Tllman's
mistakes in other ways, and hold him up true
to the mirror of life.
But now, let US be gathering up the rocks
with which TO hit when 1t will hurt him, and.
when 1t will, at least, be some salts
faction to US TO hurl missiles al
him. II we wasle all our rocks and
shot before the supreme contest comes, we
will enter the battle without armor and with
out sword and spear.