The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1900-01-09
Better Understanding.
ONE RESULT or TILLMAN'S "TRIP TO
CHAKLESTON
HOW inc Grldiron Club Promoted COrdiulii,
Hetwcon the Senator nnd tho City
by the Son.

to Charleston. Nothing WAS said
about it at tho time, but imagine
1t will be talked about a great doal
in tho future, and that was tho up-
pearance Of Senator Tillman among
tho aristocracy who havo hitherto
disposed and deridod him. Never
before was tho senator from South
Carolina received socially by tho
upper ton" Of tho principal city Of
his state, and whom was there two
or throo years ago it was scarcely
safe to mention his unmo in their
presence. Senator Tlllman onco OK
planned that the chief reason for this
ostracism was that their fathers wore
colonels and generals in tho war Of
the revolution, while he was only u
private; but that was only small
part Of the wall that stood hctwcen
them. Senator Tillman overthrow
what ho calls an "oligarcy' main
tanned by and for tho benefit of the
plantation aristocracy of South Caro-
lima which had its headquarters in
Charleston and ruled the State. He
brought into tho power now Gle
ment which until his appearance had
boon in state Of subiugation, and
their persons rs we'll as their acts
were exceedingly offensive to the
old aristocracy Of tho State. The
people of Charleston have born al
most unanimous in opposition 10
what is called "Tillmanism," and
tho depths and bitterness Of their
hostility cannot be appreciated by
the colder and less emotional dis
positions of tho northern people.
This hostility 8 personal, political
and SOCIAL, and was carried to the
extreme degree.
1t was therefore rather IN auda-
| cious liberty for tho Gridiron club to
carry Senator Tiilman to Charleston
as its guest, seeing that it's entertain
ers were the most prominent of the
class to which J. havo referred. Soma
tor Tillman would not 30 until rs.
sured that he would be woIcome and
that his invitation had been tendcred
with the full approval of tho Char
lesion committee. understand thero
was somo misgiving lost unpleasant
incidents might occur, but they re.
ceived him cordially and treated him
quite rs we'll as they treated Senator
Depew and other mascots that ac-
companiod the club. But if any
body expected that neither tho sena-
tor nor his hosts desired to exchange
bouquets, they soon found themselves
mistaken, and one Of tho most anus
ing as we'll as significant features of
the entertainment was the vigorous
manner in which they handled each
other.
The senator carried his pitchfork
with him and used itwith great forco
and skill. He told the aristocracy
of Charleston what he thought of
them and they rotorted by express
ing thoir candid opinion of him. 1t
was not nero badinege, although a
careless observer might have sup
posed it to bo such. The people of
Charleston and the members of the
club understood the Significance of
ovory remark, and looked upon the
contest very much az tho Roman
emperors used to observe tho com
bats between tho Christian martyrs
and the Numidian lions. This com
parison, however, is not to be con-
sidered personal.
The effect of these extraordinary
and amusing encounters is a better
feeling between tho senator and his
constituents, for which both thank
tho Gridiron club. They have re.
ceived him socially for the first time
They have discovered that he is not
80 bad a man rs they ha"o believed
him to be, while he has had tho op.
portunity Of making the acquaint.
ance Of his bittorest enemies and has
found them to be tho most kindly
and honorable gentleman. Mr.. Do
pow in ono Of his speeches alluded
to these mutual discoveries and OK
planned to the people of CharlestOr