The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-08-22

combinations, aud used the Governor g
influence to carry them to success, how could
the Governor help it? We may cuss and
quarrel, and get dissatisfied and fall out with
i Senator Irby as much as We please, but We
must not blame the Governor, more especially
after bis disclaimer. And We ought not to
blame Irby too much, because he played the
"Loo Lo' according to the rules Of the
game Governor Tillman is in the same posi-
ton that we are-he could not help it, and,
while be may not be able to command our ad-
miration 80 fully as he has done, be is GER
tainly entitled to our sympathy, because it
looks as if be, too, had been victimized.
Speaking of admiration there are but two
things that have commended mice to the
fullest extent in the campaign. One was the
magnificent fight made all alone by Senator
Butler, who, deserted by the Conservatives
and leading forlorn hope, against all odds,
still commanded the respect and attention Of
crowds overwhelmingly against him, making
at times speeches that have had no equals in
any of the campaigns which | had attended
since 1876. The world knows that have
never admired Senator Irby much, but do
not mind confessing that John has won nay
admiration at last by his magnificent dash
and spirit, and by the cool and daring way
that be played that ''Loo Loo' hand on the
Governor and the rest of us in this ssalto.
gether fair and lovely" campaign.
Hereafter be is entitled to coat of arms
showicg Reform liar and his whelps, aud
conchant, with John standing rampant, his
foot on the lions neck, John Gary Evans and
others smiling from the back ground great
admiring public looking on as be trium.
phantly waves the card which bears the
legion: "a Loo Loo beats everything" It's
grand and lays Governor Tillman in the
shade, for, as Mark Twain said of his hero,
Tom Sawyer, "hurrah for john, be will be
President yet, if he is not hung.
Defeat is hard to bear, as | know by
experience, especially if we think that we
have deserved better things. confess to
considerable disappointment myself, bat shall
try to Get the rest q good example. After so
many years Of devotion to, and fighting with
him for the Reform cause, must confess that
it is mortifying 70 see him robbed Of his
glory, and even my admiration forcibly
transferred to Senator Irby.
The Governors election to the Senate has
long been foregone conclusion, as legiti-
mate result of the Guccess of the movement,
but had cherished iopes that when the Re-
form movement, with its new and improved
system of education !; it's equalization of taxes,
and above all its primary election system
(before which We could all 'shave fair
chance" and "run on our merits" !, had been
fully accomplished, our great leader could 60
to the Senate with the prizes and plaudits of
whole people, taught, to see and appreciate
the great results accomplished. But after the
victory has been won, and the rejoicing is
being heard in the land, it is hard to be
forced to realize that the great movement,
which ought, and, in time, will prove full of
blessings and bene6cence to our people,
should just now be degraded and prostituted
to the low ambitions and petty revenges of
demagogues and the glory of the campaign
transferred from the hand of its real leader,
to that of political mountebank.
Instead Of the praises of whole people, we
have only the "howling of q successful mob, /"
which is "mistaken for the voice of fame, ("
and, instead of happy, harmonious CRATE
fu people, we have nothing but discord aud
distrust, and dissatisfaction and division
left
Most surely it is Senator Irby's year OF
triumph, and Governor Tillman's and our
day of humiliation. great opportunity,
which would have placed the crown of the
statesman on some ones head, has been lost,
and lost forever.
Although do not like or admire some OF
his political associations. cannot bat feel
some qualification in the election of Gary
Evans to the position Of Governor, on
account of my past association with Gen.
Gary and the family, for it does seem some
thing like poetic, if not retributive justice,
which hope the Joung man will turn toto
blessing for the people of the State who
should give him fair trial.
One word to the Conservatives, before
close, know that you have just cause for
complaint and dissatisfaction at the way you
have been treated in not being allowed q
voice in State affairs, to select even between
Reformers in the gubernatorial race. know
that the only qualification that you have, a:
you sit on the fence, watching the game
between the Reformers, is sort of maliciou:
pleasure, that you feel, in seeing some of Us
defeated, and you say: 'Now they will come
to u.s." In this you are mistaken, because
''Once sincere Reformer, always Re.
| former" We are aware that the movement,
and its aims and professions, have received
a severe blow, and its record been tarnished
by some of the acts of its leaders. We are
aware that the wise counsels of some of it:
best friends have been unheeded, and that an
almost fatal blow has been struck at the very
life of the faction, in the enforcement of the
"Colleton Idea," which violates our pro.
misses and principles, and stulti6ed its authors
aud supporters. But We are not prepared
to desert our principles nor to take any ster
backwards. You have not been altogether
sincere in your cry for "Pesce and Har.
mony," but still hope and scheme for the
complete overthrow of the whole movement
In this you will be disappointed, for ne"
ideas and new state of affairs have come
to stay, and you need not hope for restora'
tiou.
The situation is an unfortunate one, JUS
now, and the remedy lies, not in making Dad
matters worse by an Independent move
meut and an appeal to the negroes, but in
/ cuitivating and working for the reconcile
alton with the more conservative or rea
Reformers, and working with them, for ,h.
good of the State.
The Reform party has accomplished all O
its important work, and is only 4eld together
as partisan body by the ridicule and bitter
ness of the press, and some of its opponents
and also by cohesive power Of public Office.
1t can ooly be broken by candid ac'
; acknowledgement of its success, and the cult
~. Al - I'll