The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-01-09
The Wrecking Of o State.

the Atlanta Constitution offers some
reflections on affairs in South Carolina
which deserve very careful considera-
ton by the thoughtful and patri-
otto men of the State of both political
factions. 1t says:
"When Tillman was in the Cover
nor's chair his strong common sense
and indomitable will kept the cranks
of South Carolina within bounds, but
the moment he dropped the reins of
power torrent of Bedlamite discord
was turned loose.
cit is impossible to read the debate
on the metropolitan police bill with
out coming to the conclusion that
South Carolina is in danger Of some Of
the worst evils of factional strife.
Many Of the cities and towns are de-
termined never to submit to the high
handed rule of metropolitan police.
They see that the proposed law means
the destruction of local self-govern-
ment, and Senator Watson, strong
Tillman man, voiced their sentiments
when he denounced the bill, saying
that if he lived in city he would
advocate rebellion, and that al free
men and good citizens should be on
that line. He went on to say that
Calhoun was for war in 1882 for less
cause, and that the metropolitan police
bill would have the effect Of bringing
all good citizens and liquor men to-
ge.ther on the side Of self-government.
eff the effort to force a foreign
police upon the cities and towns Of
the State is persisted in there will be
open revolt in the Palmetto State,
and it requires no prophet to predict
that there will be bloodshed.
"Governor Tillman knew just how
far it was safe to stretch his authority,
but the present Legislature seems to-
have gone wild.
"Under the new regime our sister
State seems to be under the rule Of
those whom the gods have made mad
as preliminary to their destruction:
Tho patchwork, crazy quilt OF their
legislation is without parallel in this
country. There must be change for
the better very soon or there will be
an exodus Of the better class of citi-
zens, as there was in Kansas last year,
when the people felt that life was not
worth living under the rule Of cranks..
''In the main, the South Carolinians
are the truest, best and most patriotic
Of Americans. They love their native
State, but they will never live under a
despotism worse than that Of the
reconstruction era. Before they will
submit they will seek homes elsewhere,
and they could not do wiser thing if
the present reign Of discord is to. con-
tinue.
"Why not come to Georgia Our
people will give their old neighbors a
cordial welcome and make them feel
at home. In this land of liberty and
conservative governmental methods
they will find the peace and prosperity
which are now so seriously menaced in
their own State, and we feel sure that
they will never regret their change Of
base. By all means, let them come to
Georgia p
We publish the article in full for
the purpose of informing people in
this State how the metropolitan police
bill is regarded by the people of other
States, even by our nearest neighbors,
and how it's enactment into law and
threatened enforcement is likely to
affect the State in the immediate fu-
ture.
The trainers and supporters Of the
bill will care very little, of course:
how it is regarded in other States.
They did not care for the earnest and
repeated protests Of their fellow-citi-
zens, or even for those Of Senator
Watson and others of their fellow
partisans and leaders who condemned
it and opposed it to the end. 1t is
possible, however, that natural re-
gard for their own interests, pecuniary
and otherwise, will cause them to care
how the measure will affect the vel
fare of the State, and what we have to
say now relates very nearly and direct
ly to their interests as involved in the
general interests of the State.
There is no ground, We hope, for
the conclusion" that South Carolina
''is in danger Of some of the worst
evils of factional strife" " We know
Of nothing to warrant the assertion of
the Constitution that if the effort to
force the foreign police, or metropoli-
tan police, on the cities and towns is
persisted in there will be "open
revolt" and "bloodshed. :" The peo-
pie of the towns and cities are the
most abiding part of the people OF
South Carolina. They have submit
ted patiently and without resistance,
as whole and as class, to all the
extreme legislation that has been i'm
posed on them "under the new re-
gime," and have not even organized to
oppose the new regime on political
lines. They greatly prefer peace and
harmony to strife and division, and
have made every sacrifice that could
be required of them to restore peace