The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-10-24
cent. OF the honest and genuine Demo-
Gratis of nv State

cent. of the honest and genuine Demo
Gratis of my State.
| II IL Is found necessary to oyarpowe
us with Republican votes in this Sen
ate, dare to tell you that you canno
revise the tariff. You NAV call thu
treason, but answer il that be Treason
make tho most Of it. / desire, how
ever, on this point to be distinctly un
derstood, and to make myself perfectly
plain to tho minds OF every Senator
present and the country at large il
making this statement. / do not make
1t as threat nor for the purpose OF
coercing or introducing any element o
violence into this discussion l make
IL with reluctance and deep regret
and would gladly avoid the responsi.
bility Of taking this position, but ]
believe 1t u solemn duty to the pro.
ducers of this nation in every State,
and especially to the noble, patriotic
and !iberty-loving people Of South
Carolina, to raise the hand of warning
and place those who seem intoxicated
with power upon positive notice that if
they ruthlessly, and by the aid of Re-
publican votes, override our wishes in
this, the most important of all aucs-
tions of public policy, for one will not
follow their lead another stop.
do not wish for moment to be un-
destood as wavering in my allegiance
to the Importance of tariff reform, but
this measure l deem of the greatest
Importance, and [ firmly believe that
1T has the unqualified Endorsement of a
majority of the people; but this
measure, when presented in this body,
II 1T ever is presented for vote. will
6anI1aH hu OF tnf, r
am unwilling to follow fraction of tho
Democratic party that will prepare
that measure after they have depended
upon the Republican party to assist
them in carrying a measure of more
Importance than either of them-the
repeal of the purchasing clause of the
Sherman law.
mean by this to say that the pre-
sumption is clear and conclusive, on ac-
count on the present attitude of the
Administration and it's friends toward
the Republican contingent in Con-
gress, that they have made concessions
and agreements in regard to tariff re-
form and the retention of Republicans
in Office in exchange for Republican
support of the pending measure. Be-
llevipg this, | conceive tho position
which ] now and here take to be the
only one compatible with true Demo-
cracy and personal honor.
The Administration NAV coerce,
command and control one branch Of
Congress and perhaps some members
of this body, but it cannot and will not
control me or my people. AS for my
self, L am not ono of the silver men
who ask for or will accept any compro-
mise short OF the free and unlimited
coinage OF silver at q ratio Of 16 to |,
or tho complete rehabilitation of silver
as q money metal.
This question is broader and deeper
than the mere dollars and cents in
volved in the solution of the silver
question or any solution cf the money
question. 1t goes 20 the worry bottom
of the foundations of this system of
government, and calls for q decision
upon the possibility of the perpetua-
tion of Democratic institutions. A
free government, such as this, can only
exist white il commands the patri.
otism, love and fealty OF it's subjects (:
and it can only reach u higher develop
ment and more glorious achievement
by bestowlng it's greatest rewards and
honors upon wisdom, merit, integrity,
honesty, virtue, frugality and industry,
thereby encouraging those virtues and
stimulating the youth of tho land to
strive for them.
On the other hand, when political sue,
cess is known to be the result of low cum
ming or the suppression of principle,
and the highest gifts and honors of the
nation are bestowed as reward for a
plant conscience, the premium is
placed upon corruption, and it would
be thousand times better to sweep
away all semblance to popular govern
ment at once and resort to a monarchy.
Despotism crushes, while corruption
debases. OF all things, corrupt prac-
tices and methods, which depend upon
the corrupt use of power for success,
are most to be dreaded in this form OF
government. 1t is better, sir, for the
present Ills to continue until we can
agree upon just and equitable solu-
tion OF them than to submit to the
youth OF this nation the sad and humili.
ating spectacle OF a Democratic minority
the whip and spur of tho Executive in
order to legislate in opposition to the
wishes and financial interests of the
great masses Of the people.
Again, | bid you of the opposition
halt Halt before it is forever too late
We have now come to the forks of the
road, and |, for one, will perish before
| prove recreant to tho high trust re-
posed in mo by the true Democracy o
South Carolina. Apply the torture
you propose, if you win, but the proud
spirit OF American liberty will no more
heed such tactics than the chaste moor
heeds the baying of a NANCY cur
This proud, this grand, this trul,
American spirit of puro Democracy W,
pass Oh to higher and grander achieve
ment based on absolute truth, euuit,
and justice.
From tho very moment you vote tt
perpetrate this proposed act, which
believe to be crime against the pro
| ductive interests of the nation, neither
my people nor I will longer follow
your lead.
Again, and in conclusion, | beg O
you as you love your country and it,
glorious history, halt! AS you love
| the Democratic party and its pure prin
| ciples, halt! And as you love tn,
| priceless boon Of civil liberty, ant
| would transmit it as an unstained her
itage to posterity, halt! l have give,
You fair warning, and if the Democrac,
be now divided the entire responsi
bility must rest upon you. [Applaus,
in the galleries.]
They are telling of woman /,
Washington who gave the Senators
practical illustration in physical endur
ance. She appeared in the gallery a
an early hour Of the afternoon whel
| the test began and she remained thor