The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1897-01-06
Where e'CCn1dence'' is Warranted.

1t is curious thing that out of the cy-
clone of political discord that prevailed
in South Carolina for ten years has come
peace, greater, perhaps, than prevails
in any other Southern State; and it is
still more curious that few people can
agree as to the precise causes of this ex-
traordinary change. There will be con-
currence, however, in the statement that
it first revealed itself in the constitution
al convention, was greatly advanced by
pleted by the defeat of John Gary Evans
for the United States Senate and was
sealed by the declarations of Governor
elect Ellerbe that he would be the COVER
nor of the whole people.
However 1t came about, the peace is
here and factionalism for the time seems
dead. We hope'it will be the purpose of
the new Legislature at its approaching
session to prevent it's revival, even In
name. In the primary which nominated
the mem bers "Reformers' voted for
Conservatives" and "Conservatives''
voted for "Reformers." There are wide
differences in each of the former factions
bearing those names, and no distinctive
issue seems to survive to warrant their
continuance. May we not hope, there
fore, that they wiz be finally abandoned,
as having lost their significance, and that,
meeting as Democrats simply, the mem
bers Of the general assembly will deal
with each other and with measures Who'll
ly on their merits?
We feel that we can expect this. The
signs point to it and conditions invite it.
There sre not half dozen papers in the
State that show an inclination toward
fBctionalism. One of the most extreme
declared the other day that thenceforth
1t would cease to draw the line, accepting
the will Of the people that strife should
end. It Is not necessary and it cannot be
expected that any one shall express PEN
itence for his past course, or accept any
doctrine repugnant to him. AL that the
time demands is new beginning, as if
nothing had happened to cause dissen-
sion. We do not expect that peace will
last any great time. New issues will
come and new divisions will be made.
But, since we have all had a surfeit of
bitterness, let the peace endure as long
as 1t can, and when we divide again let
experience teach us to disagree with less
ferocity, so that the wounds may be less
deep and their healing easier.
Indulging no aspiration to he the
mouthpiece Of administrations and hav-
ing no metropolitan police on our hands
we take this occasion to say that we are
very much gratified at Mr.. Ellerbe's
announcement ofa broad and fair and pa,
triotic policy, and that we shall be glad
to do all that lies in our power to hold up
his hands in establishing it. We do not
agree with him in various matters al
ready discussed and shall probably dis
agree with him in others yet to be de-.
veloped, but we respect him and We have
confidence in his desire to do what is
best for the State, and 80 we will welcome
the day when he takes the executive
power. For it will be a change. great
! change, to have as governor Of South
Carolina man bent upon doing his duty
to all the people; who does not nse his Of
| flee to humiliate and to oppress, nor make
its prostitution the means of his own ad-
| vancement.
The people generally will support Mr..
Ellerbe along the course he has laid out,
and large proportion of them will be
| rejoiced once again to look upon the
State House as the citadel of their dele
gated authority rather than the frowning
fortress Of hostile, rule in conquered
country,
With the coming of the new year let
US have confidence at least in better
era OF State polity. Columbia State.