The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1897-09-29

nounce the Act which took from the
largest city Of the State the right to
govern itself. Home rule was a fun
damental plank of the first Demo
cratic platform, and the old party
will never abandon it. The principle
is too dear to the heart of every self
respecting citizen for it to be violated
with impunity. I have long felt con-
vinced that it was merely matter OF
time before Governor EIlerbe would
right the wrong done by his prede-
cessor. He was opposed, as l know,
to the system from the outset. He,
too, is loyal to the home rule doc
trine, and while all of his course may
not be fully understood by some
people, his proclamation once and
for all time places him on record as
the friend of self-goyernment. He
took more time about it than some
people may think proper, but those
who are disposed to criticise him un-
Justly should remember that vast
responsibilities rested on his should
ers 1t would not have been the
part Of wisdom for him to act with
out first weighing well all the circum-
stances. He went into office con-
fronted by many grave problems;this
police business was one of them. Had
Your people been unit in demand
! inc the removal of the system Gov
ernor Ellerbe would not have had to
hesitate in following his OWE incliua-
tons; he would simply have yindi-
Gated his loyalty to the principle of
local self-government by doing away
with the system at once. But your
people were divided. It should not
be forgotten that your ministers and
other leading people were insistent
in demanding the continuance of the
svstem.It will not do to say that these
gentlemen represented nobody but
themselves, though that may be true.
Governor Ellerbe was in duty bound
to give them a hearing, and he would
have been recreant to the high trust
reposed in him had he not have
paused to consider before throwing
to the wind the words of these gentle
men, and the representations which
they made to him. 1t may OF it may
not be true that they were actuated
by personal motives rather than de-
votion to the principle involved, but
that was a question which Governor
Ellerbe had no right to decide on an
ex parte showing.
q have gone thus fully into this
matter from no desire to rake up old
scores, but because now that we are
all rejoicing over the act Of justice
done by Governor Ellerbe's procla-
nation, something should be said to
vindlcate the Governors course from
the criticisms that have been made
upon it. He, himself, no longer needs
vindication; his proclamation is de-
fence against any and every charge.
I believe be has acted always with a
high regard to his duty and a firm
determination to do justice to every
man. By removing the metropolitan
police he has shown himself to be
fearless and to possess determine.
ton to do right for rights sake, and
I believe that his proclamation will
ultimately be accepted in that light
by the people OF South Carolina. both
in and out of Charleston.
"Before leaving this subject I wish
to say word in recognition of the
eminent service which the News
and Courier has rendered the people
of Charleston by the magnificent fight
which it has made against the metro
politan system and for home
rule. The policy of the paper has
been characterized by entire fearless
ness, but at the same time much Wis
dom has been displayed in handling
many delicate matters. People need
not, of course, be reminded that it
was through the columns of the News
and Courier that Governor Ellerbe
said his first words to the people of
South Carolina after his nomination.
At that til he placed himself on re-
cord as opposed to the metropolitan
police system. Since then not one
step has been taken by the real
friends of home rule, but the News
and Courier was advised of it. The
paper was their stanch supporter, and
upon it they relied in large measure
to aid in the accomplishment Of an
end which was dear to their hearts.
u have no hesitation in saying
that without the aid of The News and
Courier success might never have
been achieved, for it was through the
columns Of that paper that Governor
Ellerbe was informed of the real sit
uation existing here say this much
as matter of simple justice. Often
in my life 1 have criticised The News
and Courier and its course sharply,
and now that I can consclentlously
commend them | do so with equal
emphasis and frankpess.
Il wish also to say word to the peo-
pie ofCharleston in regard to another
matter which [ deem of great impor-
tance. We all know that certain po-
.ltical prejudices have at times di-
vided the people of the State. There
was time when Charleston was re-
garded with bitter feelings by the
people of the up-country, but [ am
deyoutly thankful that that cay is
rapidly passing or has passed. The
people of South Carolina are getting
together. The love of this old city,
which was almost forgotten IN the