The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1893-11-08
GOV. HAMPToN's. LETTER.

hEUAEODAl, AVtHMOAAS y, iO'e'
GOV. HAMPToN's. LETTER.
The Herald and News presents this
week Gov. Hampton's letter, in which
he proposes to organize National DEM
ocratic Clubs.
The Herald and News has great re-
spect and admiration for Wade Hamp-
ton and for his opinions.
During the past several years we
have had turmoil and strife and dlVls-
ion among our people, The Herald
and News has labored in season and
out of season to restore harmony and
peace and unity. At times it seemed
that our labor was in vain, and may be
it was. With the circumstances sur
rounding US in this State we have
dreaded to see the white people divided.
Such division means making the ne
gro factor in our politics. To avoid
this we have felt that it was better
even 'to endure the ills we had than to
fee TO others We knew nothing Of"
We had hoped that no such movement
would be made yet awhile, at least.
Consequently we are sorry that Gov.
Hampton has written his letter. 1t is
forcing the division, and where it will
end We will not undertake to say. It
may have come later on. Possibly
would. Some people hold that the
party is already hopelessly divided, but
it seems to US that it would have
been better to have waited nearer
the opening of the campaign next
year. There may have been many
developments during that time.
While it is true that Gov. Tillman
and Senator Irby and some of the
present leaders among the administra-
ton forces are really Populists, if hold
ing to the doctrines of the Populists
make them such, while they hold on
to the name Of Democracy, yet we can
not endorse the wisdom of Gov. Hamp-
toms letter at this time. The Herald
and News does not endorse the Popu-
list platform and neither hasit followed
anybody in that direction, nor does 1t
intend to, but we want to save this
State to the Democracy, and IN order
to do so we want the votes, and the
machinery is in the hands of those who
are claiming to be Democrats, and VINO
voted for the Democratic nominees,
and to go to work and organize another
party now, it will be hard to make the
people believe it does notsavor of Inde-
pendentism, and we ali know in what
bad odor an Independent is held in this
State. We do not believe that this
movement, coming at the time and in
the way it has, can be successful.
It is true that what was called
Democratic convention last year adopt
ed platform that is virtually the Pop
ulist platform. It is true that many OF
the leaders have denounced the Dem
ocratic administration and are leaning
very strongly toward the Populist
party. It is true also that if they
called themselves Populists they would
not have as strong following as they
have now among the people. But will
this movement by Gov. Hampton give
them any less following among the
people? We fear not.
The Herald and News believes in 3.
man being what he calls himself. If
he believes in the principles of the
Populists he should 60 to that party.
If he believes in the principles set forth
in the Democratic platform he should
stand squarely on it. He should not
go masquerading around as Demo-
crat and at the same time be proclaim
ing Populist doctrines.
It looks sometimes, however, as If
division in this State was inevitable.
The time may be ripe for it now, but
we exceedingly doubt the wisdom of
its being precipitated by Gov. Hamp-
ton just now.
AS to what the results will be much
depends on what the present Congress
does. Ifthe National Democratic plat
form is carried out we do not believe
that the Populists will have the follow
ing of corporal's guard in this State.
fit is not carried out then it will be
hard to tell the results. Much depends
on that. Hence We say again, il would
have been better to have waited awhile.
AS matter Of fact, in the politics of
this State, there are at present two ex-
treme factions. The Herald and News
does not believe that the welfare Of the
State or the hope of the future lies in
the leadership of either one, but in the
hands of the great mass of the con-
servative people of both factions.
W. we need is a patriot, statesman,
leader from among them. In saying
this we do not discre6it the great SER
vice Of Gov. Hampton to his State nor
his devotion to this people.
--
It is too bad. The editor Of The
Herald and News never held but one
Office in all his life, and now here
comes Gov. Tillman aud with one
blow declares that vacant. Our bright
hopes of promotion and honors and
laurels have all been blotted out at one
fell stroke of his official axe. It is too
bad.