The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-10-31
POLITICAL TOPICS.
WHAT is TRANSFERRING IN SOUTH
CAROLINA TODAY.


CAROLINA TODAY.
"Recouci'e"-Chas with Judge Goth
ran-aov. Russell on Constitutions-Re-
form Opposition to a Convention.
We wish such fire eating papers as
the Columbia State and Greenville
News to distinctly aud emphat'cally
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
countenance any appeal to the negro
and our farmers get together, and this
GREAT result ls the end tor which We are
working, But when it comes to these
extreme anti newspapers, why we had
as soon try to reconcile a rattlesnake or
q meccasin. They have been repudlat'
ed by their own side, aHd are now with
out following or party. SO We want the
State and tho News to know that what.
ever we write does not apply to them,
for when they join our party we shall
get on the other side, for it is sure
sign that We are in the wrong. But we
believe tho people of our State are now
ripe tor peace and harmony, and !t Is
the duty of every good citizen to WORK TO
bring about this happy result. 1t 10
wrong to try and place either faction IN
the light of penitents, for We are al
Democrats. While we have a right to
differ in party policy, when the brand OF
democracy has been placed upon TICK
et it is the duty of every true man to
rally to the support of that ticket. 1t
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 tho chasm open. AS to our
work for the reform movement; We have
nothing to regret or apologize for. That
movement represented the people and
the will of tho people, and it the same
fights were to be made over again, We
would do exactly what We have done IN
tho past. But we concede to the oppo-
sition honesty of purpose and tho right
to differ with US; but We do claim the
Same for our people. We have now
but ono ticket in the field, and there ID
no reason why the white voters OF South
Carolina should not ouce more get to-
gether, and make politics subserVient to
tho prosperity and upbuilding OF their
State, To reconcile and bring these ell.
enents together will be our work for
tho next two years; but We do not do.
sire to reconcile these Venomous news
papers.
Last Saturday We had O short talk
with Judge J. S. Cothran, OF AbbeVllle,
at our depot, and found him one of the
fairest mon we have ever met. Judge
Cothran is a thoroughbred south Caro-
linian, and man, too, whom our whole
people love and honor. He voluntarily
resigned two of the highest offices in the
gift of his people; and during the pollti-
cal excitement that has racked our
State tho past four years, has done
naught to fan tho flames of factional an
imosity; and neither has he denounced
tho administration, or advocated rebel.
lion against our laws. In speaking OF
tho political situation, Judge Cothfa
said that he believed agitation tended to
improve and purify public affairs; that
for four days he had been arguing mill
pond case down in Union, and know all
about stagnant water. And he was as
much opposed to stagnation in politics
as he was in mill ponds. Judge Goth:
ran then went on to say that he believed
a man could support the Alliance de:
mands and be as good Democrat as II
he stood upon tho Chicago platform
with both feet;. that this is FREQ coun-
try, and every voter has the right to
think as bis judgment dictates; but it ls
demanded of him to support the nomi.
nees of his party when they are made.
judge Cothran then went on to say the
Democratic party would be most ty.
rannical organization if it required man
10 think Just as certain leaders dictated,
aud he was denied the freedom
Of his own opinion. But, OF
course, when our party meets in
convention, and iormulates platform
and set of principles, it then becomes
tho duty of every member 10 yield obe.
dience to those principles, and support
the nominees, whether they suit his
views or not. In speaking of the con-
stitutional convention, Judge Cothran
said that our State constitutions were
too extended, and in many of them it
was endeaVored to legislate, instead OF
simply framing organic laws. He hand.
ed US the following article from tho pen
of Gov. Russell, of Massachusetts, and
which he says embodes his principles:
Ex-Governor Russell Of Massachu-
setts in his address before the Yale Law
School, has said some exceedingly ap-
propriate things as to what constitu-
tion should be and as to what consti-
tuition should not b. The constitution
of the United STAGES, it is needless to
say, is a constitution as it should be:
I'm less than thirty words" says Gov.
Russell, sit created our whole national
judicial SYSTEM" By eight words it
established our admiralty and maritime
Jurisdiction, which, "by magnificent ju-
dicial evolution," has broadeued the
original English idea, until jurisdiction
extends "from the Obj and flow of the
tide 30 as to cover every league of navl'
gable water within our continental do
main." The system of comprehensive
general principles and broad powers,
sufficiently elastic to allow of expansion
by proper construction, yet suffi.
GENTLY distinct to be effective and
protective, has stood the test of moro
than hundred years, has carried US