The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-09-14
Hon J W. Stokes, wno was reuom

Hen j w. Stokes, WOO was renOm
mated by aasteriug majority to sue
ceed himself as the representative CT
the Seventh District, is naturally very
much gratifed at the endorsement by
his constituents, and he publishes a
card to the voters of this district that
speaks for itself. Dr.. Stokes bad active
and determined opposition, but the re,
suit shows that his friends are in ma
jority 10 every county 10 the district,
notably ia his owu county.
We are grati6ed to learn that the
engineers have arrived to locate the
Sumter & Wateree R r., so that con
tracts for earsbwork, bridges. trestling,
&c., can soon be given cut. They re-
ported to Col. Blandipg, President of
the Company, Who put them right to
work from Green Swamp to the river.
We hope aud expect the cars to be run.
ming before the new year from Sumter
to the Camden braEon
The dispensary system is the rot
tenest political machine that has ever
cursed this State and all that it has
ever accomplished toward diminish.
ing the sale of liquor aad de-
creasing drunkenness does not COM
pensate for the debauching influence
it has exercise in State politics The
damning evidence against the system
and the men who control it and use
| it to advance their selfish interests is
piled higher and higher in each cam
paign. The story Of the dispensary's
infamy in this campaign is not yet
fully told. but the testimony of
Messrs Featherstone and Epton
throws some light upon it The men
who have prostituted the system
should be rebuked and men elected
who will enforce the law instead of
abusing it.
u ,ko.L Stn4 hat
has been written about the men of the
First Regiment S. G V. shirkiDg their
duty and bringing the State of South
Carolina into disrepn.e by asking to be
mustered out of service. The men
have not sbirked duty nor have they
discredi,ed the State. They volunteer
ed for service 10 time Of war, and as
long as it vas continued they we're
ready aud anxious to be seot into ac-
tive service. Taey Gid their full duty,
and any attempt to cast reflection on
the meo 10 the ranks is little less thar
ao outrage. A majority of these men
sacrificed their personal interests, gave
Up good positions, and have endured
exposure aod hardship IN order that
they mighs discharge da'y that all
able bodied men owed the country, and
it does DOT GONE with good grace from
the stsy-as-homes to cri'icise them or to
impugu their courage and patriotism.
Nor is it becoming 10 the well-paid
officers to insinuate that the privates are
sbirkipg da.y The men have dis.
charged their foil duty equally With the
cficers. have suffered greater hardsb;ps
and bave made greater sacrifices. They
have right to ask to be discharged,
uow that the war is over, aad the
United States Government should not
require a single mao 20 remain IN ser
vice who does not Wish to 90 So Ioe
regular army can be increased in
strength and the men who are 10 love
With the service. or who deem it their
duty to do garrison duty in time of
peace can enlist Perhaps the officers
who are clamoripg against being
mustered out vii! enlist as privates and
discharge the duty of which they pra'e
so much. aDd thereby exenp'ify the
courage and patriotism tha: they would
bave the cous,ry believe is wanting ID
the ranks
The Row in Spain.