Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1900-08-08
The FuLFILLMENT OF A PROPHECY.
A Warning The People Ignored and The
Dire Results.

Dire Results.
In view of the actual facts in the
case, the effort to make it appear that
DR.. Strait is the victim of a political
mistake made three years ago by the
people is very funny. The doctor
claims, and a few others are claiming
for him, that the doctor was defeated
because of his denunciation of Senator
McLaurln as a Republican, and now
that time has really proved Senator
McLaurin to be a Republican, the
doctor should e-seat back-to congress
to right the original wrong. Ofcourse
the claim that Senator McLaurin is
not as good a Democrat as there is in
the state is absurd. He has never
done anything more undemocratic than
the action of Senator Tillman in going
to South Dakota to assist in securing
the election of Senator PettigreW as u
Republican. But after all, this is not
the Joke. 1t was because of McLau-
rims Populism rather than Republi-
canism that Strait appeared so grieved.
The following report of the senatorial
campaign meeting in Yorkville, from
The ENQUIRER of August IA, 1897,
ought to prove interesting just at this
time, and it ought to help to keep the
record straight:
"What did 90 to Congress for"
Mr.. McLaurin asked. "Was it to add
the empty honor of M. c. to my name ?
Was it to draw salary OF $5,OOO a
yearp 1t was neither of these my
| friends. There may have at first
been some youthful ambition but my
object has been far beyond that. l
find duties and responsibilities there
which furnish employment for all the
Intelligence, energy and patriotism
that can summon, and, my friends, |
find that now, above all else, you need
men there who are broad enough to
realize the extent and varied interests
of this great country of ours. l must
represent my own state; but l must,
remember, also know how to give and
take when our own interests conflict
with the just rights of others. Evans
may sneer his charge about licking the
feet of the Yankee nation and voting
for the protection of Texas wool !; oul
il should be remembered that it is not
time to build wall around this state
vet, and there is no reason to lug I'D
this Populist business either"
At this point DR.. Strait jumped up
and asked:
"Do you deny it?"
The doctor was behind the senator,
who was not thinking about him at
the time, and evidently did not hear
his remark. But members of the au-
dience did, and they shouted, "slt
down, Strait; its none of your Dusi-
ness !'' Strait said something about
"not being afraid of anybody" and by
this time, Senator McLaurin, becoming
aware that he was Oh his feet, asked
him what it was he wanted.
"Do you deny it?" responded the
doctor, swelling up somewhat like a
frog.
"Deny what, doctor ?" asked Sena-
tor McLaurin, mildly, as someone
again gruffiy told the doctor TO SIT
down. :,
"Deny what I said at Chester" pur-
sued the doctor.
"Will you please repeat just exact
" what you said at Chester p asked
Senator McLaurin.
As the wheels in the doctors head
began to revolve, he tried to reply !;
but the confusion was 30 great that ne
could not be heard. People in differ
ent parts of the house were fercely
shouting to him to sit down. The
chairman called for order, hut without
effect; and quiet was not restored un.
iii Mr.. McLaurin waved his hand and
assured the audience that he had asked
DR.. Strait TO make statement and
wanted to hear it. Several men who
were starting toward the stand paused,
and the doctor continued: