Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1899-02-18
A DUBIOUS CRITIC.
Is Really a Rare Jewel Some
times.

The Charleston News and Courier
puts itself in rather dubious position
by attempting criticism of the vote
cast by Senator McLaurin in favor of
the ratification of the treaty of peace.
The News and Courier states: "Sen-
ator McLaurin did not change his atti-
tude upon the question without advise
ment." This declaration is suscepti-
BILE of two constructions, the one which
would charge dishonor upon Senator
McLaurin by creating the impression
that he had been "waited upon" and
induced to do thing which he ought
not to have done, and the other, that
he "changed his attitude" upon the
question. -,
The first suggestion is one which will
be Indignantly repudiated by all who
know Senator McLaurin, because they
know him to be man of sterling
worth, devoted to his country and con-
scious of the dignity of his position.
The second assertion is one which Is
not based upon facts. Senator Nc
Laurin did not change his attitude
upon this question in any sense. he
declared himself at first as opposed to
political expansion. He declares him.
self as being still opposed to political
expansion. The only question which
be had to consider was whether the
ratification of treaty of peace with
Spain should be incumbered by outside
issues. which would continue Spain as
party to all further negotiations.
Senator McLaurin wisely concluded
that the first duty of the United States
was to get rid of its armed enemy, and
to secure beyond question, the right
and title by which it would proceed
with further legislation in regard to
the Philippine islands. With the sign
ing of that treaty Spain has been dis
missed, and now we are in condition
to take up that quarrel, about which
The News and Courier was 80 prema-
turely agitated, and to deal with it
upon high Democratic grounds. So
much for Senator McLaurin's vote for
ratification and the grounds which led
to it.
The real humor of the editorial OF
The News and Courier is in the SEN
tence in which it declares that Senator
McLaurin set himself "in opposition to
majority of his party associates in
the senate" Ye heavens! what a
charge from such a source.
When the Democratic majority in
the senate was doing its duty in the
face of an arrogant Republican foe it
was The News and Courier which
carried the dagger for the reputation
of the members thereof. When a
president of the United States, elected
ostensibly as Democrat, set himself
/ in opposition to the Democratic major
ity of both senate and house, it was
The News and Courier which stood
beside the man who defed the organ
lied power of his party. When the
Democracy of the nation, through its
organized channels, from state to state
sent up indignant delegations to pro-
| G6SG dRdluSG tuO Vi luSihAiOh w "bAS'i
Cleveland had submitted the Demo.
cratic party, it was The News and
Courier which sulked in its tent and
gave comfort to the enemy, even
though that enemy was the apostle OF
the Negro propaganda and high pro-
tective tariff. In the affairs of its own
state it is The News and Courier which
has played the part of recalcitrant for
the last 10 years in its violent attacks
upon Democratic organizations and
Democratic nominees.
When men start to criticise the ac-
tions of others, it would be well for
them to examine their own skirts, and
judged by this rule, the Charleston
News and Courier is in no position to
criticise the position of any one to-
ward Democratic majority in senate
or house.
Senator McLaurin, however, is
aware of these facts, as is every reader
of The News and Courier, so that this
attack will be regarded in the light of
joke though the humor be somewhat
heavily veiled.