The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-11

hunting for a few constables and there
hasn't been a shoot fred since the row
at the depot. They didn't want to find
them Why didn't they lynch the man
they had in their power who was
admitted to be in the row. They
%slandered themselves by proclaimiog
they would lynch men whom they didn't
want to catch when they had one in their
power
In 1876 I witnessed q scene OF this
very spot when this whole ~esplaoaae
clear to the monument was crowded
with men indignant that the State
House had been seized by troops. I
was there. We we're all of one mind
then. We were all brothers. friends,
Carolinians and patriots. To-day we
are two hostile camps because the mi
nority don't want the majority to rule.
The body polite is diseased-is in a
fever. The people of Charleston and
Columbia have taken into their bosom
a viper in the shape of two papers
which daily deal out venom. They try
to abuse NE by SANDER and misrepre-
~sentation but | wear a coat of mail
that they have never pierced which is
an honest heart working for the best
good of the State aud its people. These
strained relations must cease. They
cannot 20 on else We will have civil
war. deny that We are responsible
for this trouble. The opposers of the
law must realize at once that they
must submit. These two newspapers
viii not let the wound heal They
keep the wound open and daily pour
poison in it, and they are aided and
abetted by the whiskey men aud their
sympathisers.
When the news of the collision at
Darlington was flashed all over the
country lying reporters said that ex-
ploaiu would come. That there vas
an arsenal Of powder in the State and
the spark would soon be dropped in 1t.
They said civil war would come, but
it didn't. It cannot come for the peo-
pie are 10 the saddle and intend to re-
main there. (Cheers.)
These men would destroy the State if
they could only destroy me. The re-
port has been sent abroad that ny
life was daily in danger. One proml-
nent citizen told Mr.. Yeldell, from my
own county. that be had a shot gun
and came here to kill me. | can get
his name if necessary l have never
fell, any doubt as to my personal
safety. I have remained at the nan.
sion perfectly safe but rather than
crafty my enemies by giving up to
them I would have gone out there o
corpse.
The barroom element is at the bot
tom of it all, and the rulers of the
former oligarcby are encouraging them
aud this row is the result of political
FRENZY. These lives are offerings to
the moloch..of whiskey. The dealers de-
clare that they will resume their ip-
iauitous business and they propose to
do so by selling whiskey from their
residences. Shall the demon have any
more victories? I don't intend for
them to have any more if | can help
it.
Here somebody standing near the
Governor was talking: "Shut up
there" Tillman said and resumed.
l shall not bulge one inch but shall
continue to carry out the will of the
people. Tm not going to aggravate
the situation but I'm going to let the
people know tomorrow by a proc!ama-
ton what I intend to do.
The General Statutes of the State are
a mine of wealth, wisdom aud strength.
What would l have been able to do
bad 1 not been empowered to control
the telegraph and railroad companies
aud keep assistance from the insur-
gents and lying reports to 60 out and
further influence the people? But
have another sword Of Domocles to
suspend over the heads Of the ius1r-
gents and | will cut the string to-mor-
row. Section $40 of the Statutes gives
me power to take control Of the police
Of the State and mayors and city
councils must compel them to carry
out the law. I intend to see that the
police do their duty or III discharge
every man Of them. | intend to con-
troll aud will not surrender. The laws
must be obeyed.
Some one way back in the crowd
yelled out why don't you obey the
laws !"
wherein have I broken any law,
SIR" vas the response.
The militia and the volunteers then
commenced yelling. "arrest him" run
him off," One man hol!ered "shoot
him - and IT, looked as If ranks would