The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-11
BOTH SIDES.
Tillman's Speech
Mayor Dargan's Reply.

Mayor bargains Reply.
On the occasion of dismissing the
troops from Columbia on last week
(Tueaday) Governor Tillman made a
specific which editorial reference
was made in our last issue. In refuta-
ton Of the many mistatements made by
the Governor, the Mayor Of Darlington
has given to the press a statement.
Both are published below, in order to
complete the history. and give our
readers all obtainable information OF
the unfortunate affair:
The troops stationed az the peni'en-
,tisry numbering about 400 were march
ed to the front OF the State House by
the Governors orders. He intended to
dismiss them from the city but before
leaving he wanted to make them an
address. After they had been properly
lined out the Governor, accompanied by
Coils. Nixon and Watts, appeared at
the middle door aud advanced to the
first step. Citizens generally were
crowded on the steps but Tillman
ordered then to stand back and give
him plenty of room. When the crowd
made an opening for him the Governor
advanced aud spoke as follows:
Citizen Soldiers, Volunteers and Fellow
Citizens
South Carolina to-day is attracting
the attention of all the United States.
The situation here is so grave and
anomalous that it is proper that a clear
and official statement 60 forth-an
analysis Of the causes that brought it
about. As Governor of the entire
people (and l have never sought to be
anything else.) 1t is best that the
statement come from me. All are ia
milliar with the occurrences of the past
few days.
There has been a conflict between
citizens and officers of the law. The
cause of it all vas those who resist the
enforcement of the dispeusary because
they say it is %tyraunical. invades pri-
vate rights. is unconstitutional and
should not be enforced. This is a
question that should not be settled by
arms but by the ballot. Let us look
for a moment at the consequences, if
the claim set forth that private resideu-
ces can't be searched for coptraband
liquor. Why it amounts to a repeal OF
the dispensary Law in an unconsti.utlon-
al way. If a man car keep whiskey 10
his house and make a saloon of it OF if
be keeps and carries it 10 his pocket or
otherwise to saloons then it it useless to
have a %dispensary law.
This Law has been enacted by the
people. 1t is on the statute books and
[ have sworn to support the laws of the
State. Until this law is repealed, SO
help me God, L will exercise every
power given me to see that it is obeycd.
Cloud cheers.)
| am not here to discuss the whya or
wherefores, the advantages or disadvau-
tages of the %dispeDsary. 1t will be an
issue in the next campaign and then
you can decide whether you want it
continued or not.
When this collision at Darlington
occurred the news was flashed all over
the country that 100 men were out in
pursuit of the constables. How do the
facts bear out the statements? The
constables bad done their duty and bad
gone to the depot. They had been sent
there and the chief constable and 9TH
ers had been sent because the mayor
had allowed them to be insulted and
cursed to their faces. A mob bad
broken into the armory and stolen the
guns and We bad the spectacle of citi-
gems of the State Selling State property
TO SOOOG UOWU CIdtC UluCCts. q
formed that the guns bad been returned
but not having confidence in Capt.
Thomson I ordered the Sumter company
to 90 there. They went aud everything
being reported quiet ordered them back
home.
Two boys, mere stripliugs, got into a
fight and soon so. men armed to the
teeth wen to the depot. They picked
a quarrel with the constables and men
on both sides we're killed. The fault
cannot be clearly placed and probably
never will be known, but if ever it is 1t
will be found that the constables simply
did their dnty.
The mayor says the arms were stolen
in fun but this sort of fun occurred
elsewhere and some of the companies
we're actually in mutiDy. But thank
God, there were some brave uen who
responded and you soldiers and boys
are here to-day as an evidence that nc
oligarcby vii! ever rule this State