The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1898-07-27
It Is a Combination.
Ths L1uransville Herald.

Wherever the campaign meetings
have been held in the different coun-
ties, the people are more than ever
convinced that the politicians have
been at work and have had q perfect
understanding among themselves,
that no matter who, or which c,ndi-
date is elected, it must not be Eller-
be. Every phase Of the whiskey
question is represented by the differ
ent anti Dispensary ca@idates, and
while they air their different views
as to the best manner of dealing with
the whiskey question-high license,
prohibition, etc-his Reform oppo-
nents are to attack him on Reform
lines, accusing him of appointing
Conservatives to Office while ignor-
ing Reformers, their common object
being, the defeat Of Governor Ellerbe
-one side appealing to the prejr-
dices of the anti-Dispensary Conser-
vatives, the other side endeavoring to
poison the minds of Reformers
against Ellerbe on tho plea that he
has used the prerogative of his Office
against them in making his appoint
ments. 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 an op-
portunity to see how. the thing is
working, and to satisfy themselves
that the light now waging against
Governor Ellerbe is but the planning
and chicanery of shrewd politicians,
and the voters are having their eyes
opened to such low and unjust cam
paign 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, al
though we have never opposed the
coming together of the rank and file
of the voters, freed from the wiles
and influence of the professional
politician. But Governor Ellerbe
has shown that he did not advocate
peace for the sole purpose Of having
himself elected Governor of the
State. The Conservative faction, in
deed both factions, seemed to regard
Mr.. Ellerbe as the logical represen-
tative of the peace-and- unity idea,
and the people, viewing his candi-
dacy in this light, gave him the larg-
est vote ever polled in South Caro-
lima; and after being thus chosen to
bring about this much desired era OF
good feeling, he proclaimed in his
inaugural address that, as Governor,
he would do all in his power to bring
about this happy condition, and that
in the discharge 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 conclusively
that he has carried out his promise.
For knowing no faction he is being
assailed by opposing Reform candi-
dates; for upholdipg the Dispensary,
Clemson College and the other
higher institutions of learning he is
being besmirched by his Conserva-
tive opponents. Then, in such case,
what is the duty of the fair minded
voter, be he Reformer or Conserva'
tive? Unless the peace and unity
politicians have been using this
political slogan for their own selfish
purposes, they can not DO otherwise
than endorse Governor Ellerbe's ad
mipistration; and unless those wht
are accusing him CT sighting OF
srubbing his own faction desire t(
debar all Conservatives from appoint
ment to office by the Governor, then
they also will have to endorse it
We cannot but admire the man who
lends his influence to bling abou
peace and harmony, however mucl
we may have doubted the polltica
policy Of such a course or the sin
cerity of those who first proposed It
Notwithstanding we see some O.
those same advocates, politicians an|
| newspapers, now opposing it an'
trying to defeat the very man whom
two years ago they elected Governo
on peace-and unity platform. Nhe'
any man (as Governor Eilerbe ha
already shown proves that he is hon
est and sincere in his convictions
and consults the interests Of the pee
pie generally, rather than the advic