The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1898-07-20
COMMENTS OF THE PRESS.
The Political Situation Viewed by the Editors of
Other Newspapers.
Is it :, Combination.

Wherever the campaign meetings have
been held in the different counties, the
people are more than ever convinced that
the politicians have been n work and have
had perfect understanding among them
selves, that no matter who, or which can
6idate is elected, it must not be Ellerbe.
Every phase Of the whiskey question is
represented by the different anti-D!spensA.
ry candidates, and while they air their dit
tercn, views as to the best manner of deal
ing with the whiskey Quesion-hlgh IL
cense. prohibition, etc-his Reform oppo-
nents are 10 attack him on Reform lines,
accusing him of appointing Conservatives
20 office while ignoring Reformefs. tlclr
common object being tue defeat of Cover
Ellerbe-one side appealing to the pre-
judices of the anti-Dispeusary Conscrva-
tives, the other side endeavoring to poison
the minds Of Reformers against Ellerhe on
the plea that he has used the preroeative Of
his Office against them in making his ap-
pointments. This is very shrewd way
TO break down the influence and political
merit of worthy candidate and, ordinarily
would succeed; but, happily, the people
have had On opportunity to see how the
thing is working, and to satisfy themselves
that the fight now waging against Cover
nor Ellerbe is but the planning and CHI
canery of shrewd politicians, and the ro-
ters are having their eyes opened to such
low and unjust campaign methods.
The Herald has not been one Of those
who believed that there was any good IN
that peace-and-unity clamor about which
we heard so much two or three years ago,
although we have never opposed the COM
ing together of the rank and file OF the ro-
ters, freed from the wiles and iofuence of
the professional politician. Bnt Governor
Ellerbe has shown that lie did not advocate
peace for the sole purpose of having him
self elected Governor of the State. The
Conservative faction, indeed both factions,
seemed 10 regard Mr.. Elierbe rs the losi.
cal representative OF the peace-and-unlty
idea and the people viewing his candida
cv in this light. gave him the largest vote
ever polled in South Carolina; and after
being thus chosen to bring about this much
desired era of good feeling, he proclaimed
-, b;c ;oo-r,,o1 o,71recc that oS Governor
he would do all in his power to bring about
this happy condition, and that IL the dis
charge of his gubernatorial duties, he would
know no faction. but be the Governor Of
the whole people! And now we submit,
that the very lines upon which he is being
opposed by the other candidates and some
newspapers. shows conc!usively that he has
carried out his promise. For knowing no
faction he is being assalled by opposing
Reform candidates; for upholding the Dis
pensary, Clemson College and the other
higher institutions of learning he is being
besmircbed by his Conservative opponents.
Then, in such case, what is the duty Of the
fair-minded voter, be he Reformer or Con-
servative? Unless the peace and unity
politicians have been using this political
slogan for their own selfish purposes, they
can not do otherwise than endorse Cover
nor Ellerbes administration; and unless
those who are accusing him of sighting or
saubbing his own faction desire to debar
all Conservatives from appointment to Of
fee by the Governor, then they also will
have to endorse it. We cannot but admire
the man who lends his influence to bring
abo.t peace and harmony, however much
we may have doubted the political policy
of such course or the sincerity of those
who first proposed it, Notwithstanding we
see some of those same advocates, polld-
Clans and newspapers, now opposing II and
trying to defeat the very man whom two
years ago they elected Governor on peace
and-unity platform. Wien any man las
Governor Ellerbe has already shown)
proves that be is honest and sincere in bis
convictions, and consults the interests Of
the people generally rather than the advice
of professional demagogues, no one has
the least excuse to blame or crlticise his
motives; and We are convinced that the en-
dorsement of Governor Ellerbe's non-fac-
tional administration by the falr-minded
voters will be so overwhelming as to leave
no doubt that his memorable declaration,
that be would be the Governor Of the whole
people, has touched responsive chord in
the breast of every honest voter-Laurens-
Vile Herald.
The opponents OF Governor Ellerbe do
not seem to be making much headway.
The only thing which could defeat him has