The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-22
EARL ON THE STUMP.
THE JUDGE PITCHES HIS CAMPAIGN
ONAH HIGH PLANE.

ON A HIGH PLANE.
The State Campaign Meetings Resumed ut
Sumter Little or No Enthusiasm Mani.
tested by the Crowd Several OF the Can
didates Absent.
SUMTER, July l5.-The State cam
paign meetings were resumed here
last Monday. At 1910 County Chair
man R. o. Purdv called the meeting
TO order. The Rev. N. w. Edmhnss
invoked divine blessing. asking that
all things might be done decentiy and
in order here today. Chairman Pur-
DIV announced that Mr.. II. w. STAN
land bad authorized him to state that
he had withdrawn from the congresS-
ional race, leaving Mr.. Stokes and
Mr.. Moses to fight it out. Messra.
Stokes and Moses, candidates for Con-
gress, spoke first. These gentlemen
were followed by Judge Earle. After
being introduced the Judge made an
interesting speech:
II stand here today, he said. where
have stood many times before, lac
ing a people have known since child
hood. / see here men who l knew
as bows over there in the academy. l
see here friends of the pest; friends
who were with me in T6, in '78;
friends who stood at my back in 1881.
can say that l am standing among
friends. Some of you differ with me
today. Here and there some po-
litical, friends of the past are perhaps
now my enemies. But this l say:
Friend or foe, you have always known
where to find me; you always knew
where I stood. No man can say that
I ever threw rock and hid my hand.
No man need ever say he had to NIT
me in the back; he had only to stand
10 the front.
sSome years ago had the honor to
run for Governor of South Carolina.
l knew I could not be elected; l knew
was doomed to defeat, but had
been honored by the people who elect
ed me to a responsible office. There
were whisperings, charges that there
was something wrong in the offices OF
the administration of which l formed
q part. could not meet these charges
except by being candidate. l had a
right to stand as a candidate for gov
ernor and speak to my people. What
I said on the stump won applause
from nay OPP onents I conduct; ! the
campaign on high plain, and my
opponent, who was electel, so stats i.
"On his election my position was
that the people had spoken; that the
- Democrats had rendered their verdict;
that would accept it, and would not
oppose MIN. When one Of the most
prominent newspapers in South Caro-
lima wrote to me as we'll IS Others,
asking what I was going to do or ad-
wise doing in the face of the result, l
answered.: Stop abuse, cease vitupsra,,
ton, trsat all men with fairness and
do what can be done to bring the peo-
- pie together. I have no apologies to
make to anyone for anything 1 said
then. I said what / felt, what l be-
: lieved in my hear. We are one peo.
ple; we are the Democratic party.
The constitutional convention buried
the hatchet, and now, fellow.citizens,
bring a message from the Piedmont.
Stop strife; stop discord; be united"
Gen. Earle alluded to an anonymous
card which had appeared in a Sumter
paper, asking why he withdrew from
q race for a county Office in 1876.
"You all know the author" he ssid,
"but 1 am ready to answer it. If any
man in the crowd will stand sponsor
for those questions let him appear and
1 will answer. Let him stand up"
There was no sponsor. You all
know where l stand on State politics.
I an a Democrat; l have not Joined
in vituperation; l have given credit
for what was done.
There have been rumors and
charges of dishonest transactions in
this State. Now, say here to friends
and opponents that do not believe
B. R. Tillman is a dishonest man. l
opposed him and have no apologies to
make for it. I have not agreed with
him in all things. l do not agree with
him in all things; but | believe he is
honest and l don't believe Tillman
ever stole dollar of dispepsary mon.
ey or bond deal money. If there has
been any stolen, let those who got 1t
answer Tor themselves.
1T has been said that a judge should
not 90 upon the stump. That is an
aristocralic idea which does not now
hold good. II going upon the stump
interiel red with his duties he should
not do so, and for that reason | have
been prevented from appearing before
the people of the State as soon as /
wished. But when it does not conflict
with his duty he should have the
privilege of doing so in these days
when United States senators, COVER
nors anG other men holding high Of
fees 20 on the stump. No office IS too
high to allow the man who fills it to
meet the people face to face"
Judge Earle then boldly sailed out
upon glittering financial sea, speaking
in an interesting manner upon sub
ject that is almost tc . threadbare 10
be handled in public by any but mas
ters of it.
The people knew there was some
thing wrong, and they could expect
little or no relief from any State ad-
ministration. Candidates Tor congress
who had spoken had declar for IL
to l, but had neglected to state why
free coinage at that ratio was right
and would be beneficial. The speaker
proceeded to give a historical sketch Of
the use of silver and gold us money or
purchasing medium f1om the time
Abraham purchased burying place
for Sarah with silver to the present