The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-04-01
Az outbreak Aeainst Tillmanism.


The situation in South Carolina is far
more serious than is indicated by the
tragedy at Darlington. That is only one Of
many centers Of deep dissatisfaction with
and hostility to Gov. Tillman's dispensary
law and his methods Of enforcing that
law. There is also in most Of the towns
Of the state a very unfriendly feeling for
the governor on grounds not connected
with the dispeusary law.
If the outbreak of violence at Darling
ton was an isolated affair it would attract
no more attention than similar affairs that
not infrequently occur in other states,
The state is virtually a volcano, and the
fires of hatred which are burning in the
hearts of her people found vent there.
They may find vent elsewhere soon. No
one can predict with any degree Of GER
tainty what the manifestations of the
bitter feeling entertained by portion of
the people for the governor will be.
The refusal of soldiers TO obey their
commandcr-in-chief indicates deep
seated grievance or voices popular dissat-
isfaction with the government, A num-
Der Of South Carolina companies, in re
Spouse 10 public sentiment, abandoned
their organizations rather than comply
with the order to 60 to Darlington to pro
tect the whisky constables. Some of
these companies have been long estab-
lished, and are very proud of their re
spective records. They must have con-
sidered carefully, therefore, the conse-
quences of refusing to respond to the call
of the governor, and must have been
thoroughly satisfied that their refusal
would meet with general approval in
their respective communities. 1t is this
sentiment against the governor, and par
ticularly against his aggressive. methods
Of enforcing the dispensary law, that
makes the situation in South Carolina so
serious. The Darlington incident may
pass without further bloodshed, but who
can say there will not be another and
even more serious outbreak elsewhere?
The Darlington affair was not an unex-
pected resistance to state authority. 1t
is a wonder that resistance was delayed
so long. The feeling between the people
and the states whisky officials has been
at the danger point for months. On
numerous occasions bloodshed has been
averted either by the retreat of the Off
cials or the yielding Of citizens. 1t was
felt instinctively however, that trouble
was sure to come, and the whole state
has been living in anticipation of it.
The immediate cause OF the tragedy at
Darlington was the attempt of the whisky
constables to search private residences
for liquors. Resistance was to be ex-
pected. In the inflamed condition of the
public mind in respect to the dispensary
business, a much less grievance than the
searching of private premises for whisky
would have brought about a collision be-
tween the officials and citizens. The gov
ernor, however, has found 1t necessary to
adopt extreme measures to make his dis
pensaries profitable, and each act Of ag
gressiveness on his part has resulted in
increasing the opposition to the dispen-
pensary law.
Win the governor be able to force com
pliance with that law} That is a ques-
tion that is doubtless in the minds of
many of South Cardinals people now
The whisky constables can do nothing
without the military companies and the
companies of the principal cities have dis
banded The companies in the small
towns and country districts are supposed
to be in accord with the governor. If
that be the case they may respond. If
they do are they not likely to meet with
resistance in the cities? Is there not
danger of the people of the rural districts
being arrayed against those Of the towns2
If they should be, and with arms in their
hands, there would be sad times in South
Carolina. Feuds would be engendered
that would last for a generation. Capital
and immigrants would avoid the state
Even the peace loving portion of her own
people would likely abandon her until she
shook herself free of Tillmanism.