New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-12-24
A STATE REVOLUTONIZED.
rl1LMAN1sM IN SOUTH CAROLINA.
SURVIVAL OF OLD-TIME FEUDs-THE DICTATOR s
CHARACTER Observation-Disclosures

CHARACTER OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
TENDENCIES OF THE MOVEMENT.
IrRoM STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIRuNEl
Columbia, < c.. Dec. 20.-Whilc Virginia and
North Carolina have always been stronghods Of
conservatism. South Carolina has represented
,re-eminently the radicalism Of the cotton belt.
Intensity is the word that describes the character
Of the people. In every crisis OF their history
they have been wrought into a white heat Of
conviction and action. In early colonial times
there were two antagonist.c elements of popua
zion: the English Cavalier In the coast districts.
,oval to the mother country. devoted to Epsco
macy and aristocratic In his tendencies: and the
Roundhead Of the uplands, English, Scotch. Irish
or Huguenot by birth. Nonconformist in religion
and democratic in principles These opposing
camps in open conflict during the storm
and stress period of the American Revolution;
and subsequently. when Modification pro-
claimed by Calhoun they were again ptted
agoinst each other. The Secession movement
brought the two political forces into harmonious
relations. The South Carolina regiments were
well differed. and were conspicuous always for
sallantry and fighting power. During the Re
construction period the two divisions of the
white population continued to act together. but
when the control of the State was wrested from
the negroes in 1876. old-time prejudces. feuds
and dissensions were revived. 1t is TO this ire
irresistible conflict between antagonstc elements
which had been going on for several generations
that the present struggle between Tillmanism
and Conservatism may be distinctly and unerr-
tngly traced. The intensity of feeling evolved
marks the survival Of historic feuds between up
lands and lowlands. rural communities and
towns. the plain people and the better educated
and more highly favored classes.
The conditions for this social and political
revolution were the Suggesting or background
for the appearance of one Of the most singular
figures in Southern politics. Captain Benjamin
r. Tllman, who has succeeded at once In arous-
ing the most passionate enthusiasm among his
partisans and the most rancorous resentment
and hostility among his enemies is lacking
neither in originality, nor in intelligence. nor in
intensity Of feeling. With his plain. weather.
beaten farmers face. with one quick-rolling,
flashing eye and a CHASTITY, shrunken socket
where the other one ought TO be- and with the
nreoccupied manner OF a stern warrior whose
thoughts are always of battle. he is most re-
narkable physically AS political leader he is
altogether unique.
There has been no one at all like him In the
history Of South Carolina, yet in inherent
strength Of character. invincible will and power
Of discerning the forces of public opinion. he
represents his State His flatterers salute him
as Cincinnatus or Gracious. and his enemies re-
vile him a pnchback Cromwell or as dis
torted Robespierre. but he has neither Roman
nor English nor French traits. and is simply
degenerate son Of South Carolina, who has under
stood and taken advantage Of the social and po-
utical conditions-,he brooding spirit Of unrest
peryading the rural communities discomfort with
the superior importance of Charleston as
centre OF influence. implacabe hostility TO corpo-
raons al jealousy Of the ruling casses,-and
has succeeded in making his will the strongest
force in the State.
Many Of Captain Tillmans methods are those
of the ordinary political boss. He has attached
young men like Governor Evans to his fortunes
by overthrowng what ne calls the ohgarchy
and by opening public life to them. He has
found places for swarm, of partisans in the
Civil Service enlarged as 1t Is by the conduct OF
,he louor traffic as State business. He has
lowered the character Of the courts by eevatins
20 the bench inexperienced and unfit judges, ana
in order to introduce his dispensary system AFTER
the first law had been pronounced uncohsutu-
tional, he appointed to the Supreme Court
Judge who could be depended upon to reverse the
previous decision. He is a stern disc!plinarlan
and exacts unquestioning obedience from MS
followers. He has the demagogueS trick OF APP
pealing to the prejudices or the seif-interest OF
one class against another-the farmer against
the merchant and the railway. the country
against the town. poverty against wealth. All
these are familiar devices OF machine politics:
but he has the knack Of employing them in an
unconventional way so as to disarm criticism
within his own party. What Senator Tillman
has done To improve the lot Of the agricultural
classes nobody can tell, but all the farmers look
heir chs "A n
fatuated. irrational hero worship which ne In
spires among his followers They are subject TO
his iron will and kiss the rod that rules them.
Possibly l can cast one or two strong sde-
lights upon the character Of this strange man.
who has reached the goal Of his ambition In mis-
election TO the United States Senate. by recording
my personal impressions Of him during an hour
conversation / shall repeat only few things
that he said and these only for the purpose OF
explaining his pecuiarites and the secrets Oh
his power over men. Governor Evans VINO Is
model Of courtesy to strangers. whatever may be
said about his political views. had made an APP
pointment for me with the Senator, and although
We were interrupted several times by VISITORS
had an excellent chance OF watching and study
ing the man. | opened the conversation in
diplomatic way by remarking that he was gem
orally referred to in Northern journals as
Popullst and that possibly ne was misunaer-
stood and that might help to set him right
NO | am Democrat" said the Senator
but not the kind OF Democrat they have at
Washington. What passes for Democracy there
! do not call Democracy. ] am not Demo-
crat like Mr. Cleveland; nor one like senator
German. But am not a Populist. have tired
70 save South Carolina from Populism Yet
there arc many things in the Populist programme
with which | am in sympathy | have met
With rnalevolent misrepresentation from news
papers here and in the North. But is there any
newspaper that cannot be bought up? Is there
any newspaper in New-York that is not owned
and controlled by the whiskey ring?'