The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-08-26

tention to strike McLaurin except on
his public utterances. He desired to
conduct the campaign fairly and hon
estly, but he did not think his month
should be estopped while one of his op
ponents lay sick in bed. Especially
should he have the right of speech, as
that sick opponent was having circulars
and copies of Yorkville paper contain
ing the supposed speech of McLaurin
at that place circulated. In speaking in
McLaurin's absence he was at the dis
advantage of having to read from his
speeches and Of showing up their talla-
cies.
The question of this campaign is,
said Mr.. Evans. "Will YOU follow this
new evangeI, who would lead you into
the Republican party, or will you cling
to the faith of your fathers?" Hastily
then he reviewed the history of the tar
iff from 1882 to the present. He told Of
notification and declared, 'Thst's
what you got for making straight
fight" He charged that Mr.. McLaurin
had spent two hours in Sumter in try
ing to show there could be no such
thing as tariff for revenue only. A COM
parison was then drawn between the
Democratic and Republican tariff de-
mands. That word protection" in the
Republican platform was misleading,
said Mr.. Evans. We think of it as the
protection of father for his child or the
protection told of in holy writ.
The farmer of the South and West is
free trader if he's got any sense.
Why? Because he's got no mantfactur-
ing interest to protect. 1t is to his in
terest to buy his goods as cheap as pos
sible.
A little later Mr.. Evans declared he
had to take McLaurin's printed record
around with him, for he would deny
everything if the record was not pulled
on him. He had succeeded in pinning
him down to one thing, and that was
his opposion to free raw material. Nc
Laurin has declared, 81 don't believe
in free raw material" Then he stands
with Havemeyer and the sugar trust.
Should McLaurin be elected on his
platform of opposition to free raw
material he could receive, were he cor
rupt, $1,000, 600 for voting to place q
duty on sugar. The people would oe
estopped from criticising him, because
prior to his election he had announced
that he opposed free raw material.
Mr.. Evans vigorously attacked Mr..
McLaurin on the cotton, wool and hide
schedules. In conclusion. he declared
that McLaurin was the jack-o-lantern
that would lead the people into bog
until they would sink beyond hope of
extrication.
Mr.. Evans was applauded.
Col. Irby was introduced as the Gun
conquerable leader of Reform i'll 1890
and 1892" He spoke with more than
his accustomed fire and vigor.
II an not the man" he began, "to
strike sick or fallen foe." He prayed
God that McLaurin would be restored to
health and vigor in time to meet him
once more on the stump. Then, and
only until then, would he assail him.
81 had rather be defeated ten thous-
and times than to know that l had
been elected by striking the sick.
Applause.
McLaurin, if possible, should return
to the stump, but if he can't return, l
say he either ought to withdraw from
this race or send Governor Ellerbe.
Why Governor Ellsrbe? Because he,
above all other men, is responsible for
the political status of affairs in this
State, and if he comes I'll take care OF
him.
'I am as much Of q reformer today
as was in 1890, but / am q Demo
crat." No one could impugn his rec
ord as Democrat or Reformer. He
told how he was sacrificed last year:
spoke of his record and services to the
party, and declared that McLaurin
himself said he never voted wrong.
His vote on the Wilson bill and his de-
feat of the silver compromise, placing
the ratio at 20 to 1, were recounted. He
did not have and had never had polit-
ical godfather.
Mr.. Evans had at Camden intlmated
that Tillman favored his (Evans0 elec-
tion.
Mr.. Evans denied that he had. He
had only said, he declared, that he
had received letter from Tillman
saying he was Glands off, in this race.
but that if he were elected he would
welcome him as colleague.
Col. Irby said the explanation was
satisfactory. He concluded by saying
he had not made the speech he would
have had Senatar McLaurin been pres
ent. If elected, he said. the people
would have two United States Senators
who would ever act for the best inter-
ests OF the people.
The Darlington Meeting.
The meeting at this place was attend
ed by at least 400. McLaurin was alb
sent, and the only speakers were Messrs.
Irby and Evans. Mr.. Irby began his
speech by declaring that it was IAN in
famous lie" that was going the rounds
that he was running solely to elect
Evape