The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1897-07-28
THE RULE OF DEAD MEN.
The Folly of Standing Still, While
Others are Advancing-H Makes
Us Tired to Hear Upstairs Talk
Of CaIhOun's Exploded Theories.

There are some things which this newspa-
per does not know, and it might be as well 10
admit that we may be mistaken In some oth-
or things which we think we do know, but
we propose to have our say.
There are some stereotyped expressions
that ought TO be done away with, and there
are some cast iron rules or laws OF the Demo-
cratic party that ought to be broken.
A new order Of things prevails and the old
dead and petritied ideas of half a century ago
are now exploded theories which do not mt
the existing circumstances, or answer the
present interests OF the country.
In the days Of Calhoun, quite different
which obtains at this time. But his old ante
deluvian ideas are still occasionally brought
from the seclusion OF the musty records Oh 4
dead past and busted and FURNISHED & to 40
duty In the living present. Under the teach
ings in the years that are past we were not
taught to do any thinking for ourselves. but
were expected 70 take the words OF Calhoun
as the law and the gospel which none could
Before the war, and during slavery, the
South or the cotton States, was an agricu tu-
trade.
The South was an agricultural people
lst. Because Of the presence OF slaves.
%. Because 1t was not desirable TO furnish
in factories employment for 1.-THE poor white
trash" whose loom was more desirable than
Sd. Becs use poor white men might be op.
posed 10 the interests of the slave-owner, and
might possibly at some time have the cour
age OF their convictions. 1t was therefore
deemed best to have him 'move on"
terest OF slavery, adopted the policy OF buy
ing the small tracts owned by white men,
and then refusing TO sell land TO non-slave-
holders. AS a result, the non.slaveholders
went 10 the West.
While thousands of the truest and best
white men OF the South were yearly sent TO
the frontiers, the ideas OF free trade, and
"this is an agricultural country" were instill-
od in IN q mi in1s and hearts nf ALI. while The
free trade" doctrine was grated upon the
platform Of the Democratic party.
With slavery and the domination Of the
slaveholding autocrat, agriculture and free
tkade was the sheet anchor OF Democracy.
The shareholders ruled. and II was little less
than treason for poor white trash 70 entertain
those OF the slave-owners. Hence the South
was unit politically. This unity gave the
South strength, and this strength drew 10 II
an element Of the North. and the coalition
ruled The country for long time.
Mr.. Calhoun Was an extreme man on many
subjects, Ind we believe-unlike the dead men
who are following him today-he sometin. es
changed his mind. Aud al other times rays OF
jorlly OF the plans or principles which he ad-
vocated are now exploded Ideas, and are only
recorded as errors Ia the history OF the past, II
In fact, 1t might be said that Calhoun swung
the circle.
For instance: He was free trader
ana at SaIu6 LlLu6 WIS Nulllu6E Ol IuS
laws of the United States he was believer
in States Rlghts-the rigut of Secession lie
believed in slavery; he introduced In Con-
gress a bill TO punish most severely any post.
master who would knowingly receive or dis
tribute printed matter that was intended to
promulgate abolition ideas; be left the DEM
Ocratic party and co-operated with the
Wings; he, like some men OF this day, be-
lieved that the President Of the United States
was corrupt; he denied the power OF States
TO confer ON aliens the right Of voting.
The craftsmanship Of Calhoun was from the
standpoint OF slavery and all his principles
have been overshadowed, ana relegated TO
The rear.
Slavery having passed away, the corner
stone OF his doctrine has been removed.
TO say that the political condition Of the
slave States had not changed, and to say that
the policy which governed In the time OF
slavery would answer tor today Is TO say that
the former days were better Than these, and
that We have learned nothing iu fifty years.
Sound principle Will survive The everlast-
Ing hills. but error must give place to light.
The logic OF events has proved that The ut
terances OF Calhoun are ancient history-not
The South is obliged TO become manufac.
turing people. The demands OF the times re-
quire II.
We have vast and increasing number of
people who are dependent upon their labor
Tor their daily bread. Shall these people be
allowed 70 do nothing but plow and hoe cot
ton? Why should not all the industrial ave-
are anxious 70 enter on some OF the more
profitable employments?
1t Is no longer the policy OF this country to
send the struggling white man TO the wilds OF
the West, but II is sought by practical states
manship and wise politics 10 keep all our peo-
pie at home.
Except that we can discern the fact that the
politicians want office. 1t IL hard TO find out
what policy or principle governs them.
II Is certain that no free trader IL In favor OF
developing manufactures In the South.
1t Is certain that free traders are not seek.
ing to furnish profitable employment for de.
serving citizens who need the opportunity TO
work.
1t Is certain that any politician OF this
day and time who is willing to shut his eyes
to the history Of this country for the last for
ty years, while going back TO the dead past
for those antiquated theories and principles
which were enunciated for a different state of
affairs, Is not progressive statesman. He
Is simply ruled by dead men-men whose
forms have long since mouldered In the dust.