The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1896-04-15
What Tillman Thinks.
A Split in the Party Not an
Improbabillty.

and his administration has directed the
attention of the country to him, reach
ed Lexington this evening. He will
deliver his first speech 10 his campaign
for free silver in the auditorium 10 this
city tomorrow afternoon. There is
every assurance of very large crowd.
The farmers. who are very generally
for silver, will flock 10 by the hundreds
from miles around. and even those who
do not agree with the aggressive South
Caroliuian will 60 out to hear him.
During this evening Senator Tillman
has been iu receipt of marked attention
from the members OF the Fayette coun-
sy Bimetalic club, which comprises
some of the most influential citizens of
Lexington and vicinity. His room in
the Phoenix has been filled all evening.
but the senator gave few minutes TO
The Enquirer representative aud told OF
his future plans.
Mr.. Tillwan is a man OF striking
personality. Full of fire and energy,
and be possesses an inexhaustlble tuod
Of humor and cleverness 10 illustrating
his views.
"I am greatly pleased with the
course of The Enquirer in defending
the interests Of the people, said tee
senator. "A large majority of the
metropolitan press are against silver
and with the other fellows, and it is
gratifying to know that there is one
paper which has the courage to speak
ont"
.sWhat is the purpose Of your pres
ent tour senator 2
81 am on my way west to ADDRESS a
meeting of Democrats in convention In
Denver next week. There isn't much
of the Democratic party left out there,
but the Populists made so maoy mis-
takes aud had so many irresponsible
men in command that they have lost
their grip. l have believed for sever
al years that the only salvation of this
country is union of the people Of the
west and south against the east Il is
time We begin to protect ourselves from
the Willy New Englanders, and want
to extend the hand of fellowship from
the people Of South Carolina to those of
the great west.
..Have you any idea that the silver
element 10 the Democratic party will
control the National convention at Chi.
cago?"
Il don't think that there is any
doubt about it."
sBut suppose they doD's aud the
gold men make the platform, what
then ?'
ST will not coucede that such 40
event will happen, but, in the event
that they do, there will be split in the
party. that's sure. The people of South
Carolina will not stand any foolisbness.
We will be for a silver mau in the
Democratic party if possible, but if not
will vote for him out OF some other
party"
.'It is said that your colleague, Sen
ator Irby. is leading fight to keep toe
Democrats of your State 10 the party
ranks, and while he wishes them to
favor free silver, yet he wants to bind
them to support the nominee of the
CHICAGO convention.
'sThat's true, but he isn't making
any headway. He offered a resolution
to that effect in the meeting of the
State committee last Tuesday. and got
S votes out of 33. The people of
South Carolina can take care of that
matter themselves, and they will not
bind their delegates to support the nom
inee of the National convention on
gold platform
stU pom what do you base your opinion
that the silver men will control the Ma
tiosal Democratic convention p
II believe that the south will be solid
FOR silver, as vel! as the west and some
of the central States. The wave is on
the increase. if you can get the papers
to tell the truth
"Who is your choice for President
on the silver ticket 2"
''Some good mau who has battled for
silver. 1t won't do to take one of the
fellows who falls in with the tide. We
want everybody tos be With US, but
those who are nominated must have
been all right "
Suppose Cleveland or Carlisle were
dominated on the Dem ocratlc ticket"
Then it's lup with the Democratic
party. Neither Of them could carry a
State in the Union, and Cleveland
would have hard work to get county
tel! you / would rather vote for d
good Republican than Carlisle. even
John Sherman, because Sherman has
been consistent and Carlisle has not. :"
lis there any chance of split in the
Republican party ?"
think that the five senators who re-