The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1894-10-31
POLITICAL TOPICS.
WHAT IS TRANSFERRING IN SOUTH
CAROLINA TODAY.

"Recoucile"-Chat with Judse Goth
rsn-a,v. Russell On Constitutions-Re-
form Opposition TO Convention.
We wish such fire eating pspers as
the Columbia State and GreenVlle
News to distinctly and emphatically
understand that The Headlight ls not
seeking or desiring to reconcile" their
editors, or any of their kind. We are
anxious to see the real Conservatives Of
South Carolina-the men who refuse to
countenapce any appeal to the negro
and our farmers get together, and this
great result Is the end tor which We are
working. But when it comes to these
extreme anti newspapers, why we had
SO soon try to reconcile rsttlesnake Or
moccasin. They have been repudist-
ed by their own side, and are now with
out following or party. SO we want the
State aud the News TO know that what.
ever we write does not apply to them,
for when they join cur party we shall
get on the other side, for it is sure
sign that We are in the wrong. But we
believe the people Of our State are now
ripe for peace and harmony, and 1t is
the duty of every good citizen to work to
bring about this happy result. 1t is
wrong to try and place either faction in
the light of penitents, for we are all
Democrats. While we have right to
differ in party policy, when the brand OF
democracy has been placed upon a tick
ct it is the duty OF every true man to
rally to the support of that ticket. It
was such sheets as the State and News
that have worked up this division among
our people, and if they are listened to
will keep the chasm open. AS to our
work for the reform movement; we have
nothing to regret or apologies for. That
movement represented the people and
the viii Of the people, AMI if the same
fights were to be made over again, we
would do exactly what We have done IN
the past. But We concede to the oppo-
sition honesty of purpose aud the right
to differ with US; but We do claim the
same for our people. We have now
but enc ticket in the field, and there is
no reason why the white voters Of South
Carolina should not ouce more get to-
gether, and make politics subservient to
the prosperity and upbuilding of their
State. To reconcile and bring these Ell.
ements together will be our work for
the next two years; but We do not de.
sire to reconcile these yenomous news
papers.
Last Saturday we had short talk
with Judge J. S. Cothran, OF Aobeyllle,
at our depot, and found him one Of the
falrest men We hsVe ever met. Judge
Cothran Is thoroughbred South Caro-
linian, ard man, too, whom our whole
peopls love aud honor. He voluntarily
resigned two of the highest offices in the
gift Of his people; and during the polltl-
cal excitement that has racked our
State the past four years, has done
naught to fau the flames of factional an.
imosity; and neither he's he denounced
the administration, OR advocated rebel.
lion against our laws. In speaking OF
the political situation, judge Gotham
said that he believed agitation tended to
improve and purify public affairs; that
for four days he had been arguing m!l
pond case down in Union, and knew all
about staguan! water. And he was as
much opposed to stagnation in politics
az he was in mill ponds. Judge Goth.
ran then went on to say that he believed
man could support the Alliance oe.
mands and be as good Democrat as II
he stood upon the Chicago platform
with both feet; thst this is free coun-
tr7, and every voter has the right to
think IS his judgment dictates; but 1t Is
demanded of him to support the noml'
nees of his party when they are made.
Judge Cothran then went on to say the
Democratic party would be most ty-
rannical organic alton if it required man
TO think lust as certain leaders dictated,
aud he was denied the freedom
Of bis own opinion. But, OF
course, when our party meets 10
convention, and tormulates platform
and set of principles, it then becomes
| the duty OF every member TO yield obe'
dience to those principles, and support
the nominees, whether they suit his
views or not. In speaking OF the con-
stiIutional convention, Judge Cothran
said that our State constitutions Were
too extended, and in many OF them i:
was endeaYored to legislate, instead OF
simply framing organic laws. He hand
ed US tie following article from the pen
Of Gov. Russell, of Massachusetts,. and
which he says embodies his principles;
Ex-Governor Russell of Massacau-
setts in his address before the Yale Law
School, has said some exceedingly ap-
| oroprlate things as to what ccnstltu-
ton should be and as to what a constl-
tuition should not b.. The constitution
of the United STAGES, it is needless tc
say. is a constitution as it should be-
IN less than thirty words" says Gov
Russell, ''it created our whole natlona
judicial system" By eight words i
established our admiralty and maritime
Jurisdiction, which, 10y magnificent ju-
dicial evolution," has broadeued the
original Eoglish idea, until jurisdiction
extends "from the ebb and flow Of tht
tide so as to cover every league of navi
gable water within our continental do
main" The system of"comprehenslVs
general principles and broad powers
sufficiently elastic to allow Of expansion
by proper construction, yet sutil
GENTLY distinct to be effective snt
protective, has stood the test of more
than hundred years, has carried III
! through foreign wars and civil conflict
has adequately met a phenomenal IN
crease OF population, wealth, and ares
with it's new and momentous questions
has skilfully adjusted the delicate rela
tons between state and nation, ant
governed as efficiently 70,OOO,OOO o
people scattered through fortY-four states
reaching from ocean to ocean, as th'
small population Of the narrow coas
line which embraced It's thirteen orislna
constituents" Substantially every re
cent constitution framed in southern
or western state Is manifestly, in Gov
Russell's opinion, what a constitution
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