The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1894-06-21

Democracy, He Advocates Union With
Populiats-Poourar views Strongly Sta
ted.
COLUMBIA, S. G., June 13.-The let
ler below was published in the State Of
last Monday. The State editorially
says it is q remarkable letter, still the
moro remarkable because 1t proceeds
from lawyer and a Straightout De-
mocrat, who Is known TO us as an hon
esC ana earnest and conscientious man.
Here Is the letter:
10 the Editor of the State: The de-
cision of Congress against free banks
IS fatetul turning point in the affairs
Of political parties In the United States
and most particular in this State. The
developments of the past twelve
months have wrought great change
IN the views and feelings Of many, If
not most, Of our conservative South
regard the designation "Cleveiand De-
mocrat" as a proud badge. The bugle
call to the defense of National De-
mocracy," once awaited with eagerness.
no longer could wake in our hearts q
ready response. We are as unanimous
In our disgust with the so.called Demo
cratic administration as we were in
our loyal enthusiasm for it year ago,
we have beheld the party's principles
ignored, Its pledges violated, corrup-
lion Tor at least sectional and class self
1shness) rampant In some departments
or government now presided over by
this time.hOnOred and hitherto much
trusted and we'll beloved party. At
last we had only the State bank tax
repeal to place our trust In, and: we
were looking with alternating hope
and fear as the day approached for the
execution of this promise. which was,
after all, merely to restore what had
been unlawfully taken from us, but to
return 1t at a time when it would be
such re!tet that our hearts swelled
with thanks for 1t as a beneiicent gift.
Alas, bitter disappointment Nero
hddl1ng while Rome was burning Is a
weak counterpart Of the present spec
tacle.
AS men, we must do more than re-
pine. Perfidy must be rebuked, be.
trayal punished, the faithless in office
taught a terrible lesson. Else what
hope for the future? What guarantee
that political servants will not again
refuse to do the work which their mas
ters have appointed and paid them to
DOR What means of securing the leg
islation which the people decide upon ?
What ground for voting for party
because Of approval Of its platform
What hope of preserving enthusiastic
confidence IN party or In leadership
$50 essential to high morale in the
ranks Of an army If the rallying cry
is still to be that which by SID expert
el"e has become inseparably associat-
ed with craven impotence or unblush-
Ing. treachery? Hope, trust, redhot
fusion of hearts into one great purpose
to do battle against the common enc
my are impossible to an army demor-
allied by such leadership, unless it be
completely reorganized and given new
officers in whom confidence may be
placed Qf not by knowledge Of Its be.
ing deserved, then by the absence Of
knowledge OF it's being unC Ceserved)
But the peoples condemnation of
faitbless leaders, In order to serve as a
wholesome warning for the future,
cannot safely discriminate between
Leaders and party, exponents and the
thing Itself. a party must he Judged
by It's performance, and, failing to car.
ry out Its pledges, for whatever reason,
should be repudiated in disgrace. The
corruption or incompetency Of its ser
wants is Its. corruption or incoplpeten-
cy. 1t matters not that we are panied
to give up our historic party and that
the principles professed in the plat
torn are still our principles. The ready
tree lance OF the independents in
politics Is the best stimulus to
healthful vigilance in pursuit of the
right path. Any attempt to clirg with
aftection to discredited party and to
reform 1t from within, TO degrade its
recognized leaders and substitute new
ones Is uphill, unWise and wellpigh
utopian. Revolt in the ranks and a
stunning blow alone teach the needed
lessons.
Opportunities are not to be ignored
with expectation of their return. A
party which after thirty years of
striving and waiting Is given a brill
liant opportunity must use it or never
have the impudence to ask for 1t again,
The Democratic party has damned 1t.
4, self. No one can satisfactorily explain
>the present public course by laying all
plane on leaders. 1t is evident that
Ns members are discordant and are
yoked together untitly. For those in
ats ranks VINO adhere to original prin--
them life and promise, it is folIy to
seek to hold up their standard against
triumphant and entrenched TREASON
The faithful should draw out from snr.
roundings which, like the Aupean at q.
bles, 1t were the task of Hercules to nm
rlfy, and separating themselves from
degenerate companlons, should draw
up thelr line or battle in now field
and rally to them all free and hold
spirits who would fight the hostile gar.
r1son OF the perverted government.
Bebellion finds response in the
manly heart. A bold stroke for the
right arouses enthusiasm. A new or.
ganization Is instinct with life, Is not
hampered with the dead weight freight
that In time 1t gathers. Only the wide
awake and dead.in-earnest take the
step. The slave to habit and the hall
hearted are left to burden down the
old organization. The new broom
sweeps clean, and the new machinery
Will move off with the perfection in
every detail that comes from the appli.
cation Of the newest improvements
Wl5hout the drawbacks of patched work
and cramped quarters. New wine can
not be put In old bottles. The apathy
the groye.like administration of many
details that narrowing precedents and
growing negligence bring, the ever
looking hnnx MI ho