The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1899-08-09
The TILLMAN PICNIC.


by his friends. who wished to hear
hin discuss national issues. 1t was
in the original plan 20 have the
picnic at Pocotaligo, several miles in
sbs country. but it was decided later
10 have it at Richardson's grove, IN
The suburbs Of this city. It was not
until this change was made that the
Mayor of Sumter and osher officials
were requested TO welcome Senator
Fillnan in their official capacity and
attend the picnic Mayor Hughson
and others, who were requested by
those who were getting up the picnic
to serve on the comM!stees, consent
ed, and they performed the duties
assigned to them. Senator Tllman's
friends, who got up the picnic and
invited him to Sumter, selected DIR
TT. ABBOTT, who was one OF the
most prominent reform leaders in
1899. the candidate of that faction
for the senate, and was finally seated
over Col. w. D. Scarborough, the
sssaightout candidate. after a bitter
factional contest before a legislative
committee, to introduce him Dr..
Abboss's Introductory remarks speak
for themselves. In his over jealous
admiration for Tillman he said many
things that were neither pleasant nor
agreeable TO those who have never
been followers and supporters OF
Senator TilInan, and who still be-
lieve, while recognizing his shrewd-
ness and force, that Senator Tillman
is a demsgogue, not demi god.
Many s.raightouts had been invited
by Senator Ti;lman's friends to attend
the picnic. aud to serve in various
capacities to the end that the oc
casion might be made a-success, with
no tinge of facsiopal feeling about it.
Dr. Abbott's descriptive remarks
concerning the opponents of Senator
Tiiiman were not in very good taste,
but, knowing Dr.. Abbott, we freely
absolve him of any intention to offend
any one, for we believe his motives
to have been good, whether mis- per-
formance was or not. He thought
only of welcoming aud honorlng
Senator TiIlman, whom he has con.
sistently supported from the srss,
before Offices aud spoils were in
sigbt, aad other people were not
even taken into consideration. Sen
ator TiiIman's speech in the morning
was admirable 10 tone and temper,
and he discussed national Issues in a
clear. forcibIe aud entertaining man,
ner He showed that be appreciated
the fact that jn his audience were
msnv of his former opponents. and
he said nothing that could offend
them, sticking to the national issues.
I'm the afternoon ne made red hot
Tillmauite speech, but this was pro-
yoked and invited By Representative
3. D Smith, who criticised and
strongly condemned institutions and
policies that are the bone and sinew
of Tiilmapism and the iavorites OF
Senator Tillman. Mr. Smith drew
Senator Tillman out and made him
show his hand, bat we are 40: alto
gether satisGed that is desirable to
have next years campaign started
this summer We have had go much
strife and bitterness and excitement
in State politics in the last nine
wears that we welcome an of year
gladly and enjoy a few peaceful
months We know that there will
be fight next year, but we prefer
waiting until next year to fight, on
the ground that it doesn't pay to
attempt to cross bridge until we
come to it As to the merits OF
Senator Ti!lman's afternoon speech
comment is unnecessary. 1t was
Tillmauite speech in all that the term
implies, and we have sufficiently
expressed ourselves in the past on
the subject of Tillmanite speeches.
Sumter county should have repre-