The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-24
Wednesday, July "a, 1901.
The Greenwood Index takes the ground

The Greenwood Index takes the ground
that South CaroinianS "now have the Oppor-
tunity Of dispellng the dark cloud Of ignor-
ance OF superstition and prejudice that has
hung over us for half a century" and also
that" "a great many OF Us have thought the
Democratic party for several years past has
gone astray, has dritted from Its mooriDgs,
and now In these of years. preparatory TO
another battle, we have the privilege OF say
ing what we want and what we think should
be incorporated in the National Democratic
platform"
It is refreshing to learn that the cloud OF
ignorance, superstition and prejudice whlch
dispelled, for really 1t has been supposed that
South Carolina in the past fifty years had fur
nished some men OF average ability, intelll'
gence and Judgment to cope With the issues
which conIron ted them in their day and gen.
GRAFTON, but this must have been deluslon
and snare. for the discovery is now MADE
that we have been submerged In the olacK-
ness Of darkness without knowing It.
But we are going to emerge from the WIDER
ness under new leaders, who will bring the
Democracy back 10 Its moorings and revise
its creed to suit the improved order OF In lngs,
according to the Index and then happiness
will reign supreme. What we would like to
know, however, IL whether, in case the new
doctrines are not incorporated In the NATION
al Democratic platform for 1904. the new order
Of Democrats will remain inside the fold. or
will they bolt as was done In 1896? This may
be ignorance. prejudice and superstition, but
1t is q very pertinent question that deserves
an answer from the brethren who are just
now "sloshing sround."-Greenville Noun
taineer.
The above was not directed to US, but as we
do not materially differ In opinion from The
Index, and as we have said so. we take the
Mountaineers remarks as q text, upon which,
excepting the second paragraph as quoted,
which we do not write about, we would COM
ment without intention to be personal or
dlsagreeable TO Any one.
CHAPTER ONE.
In 1895 the Populistic revolution took pos
session OF the Democratic party. New and
inexperienced leaders took charge. 1pex-
perienced and drunk with power, the major
ity acted arbitrarily and gave little considera.
tion to the feelings, convictions or pre1udices
OF those upon whose neoks they had 30 re.
GENTLY placed their heels.
Because Of their love of party, the offended
members submitted TO Bryan g foolishness and
supported, by their votes. the platform upon
which he stood. That platform was against
the individual convictions Of some Of the
best men In the Democratic ranks. They, OF
course, gave only half hearted support to the
ticket even II they did not wish to see 1t de-
feated.
CHAPTER TWO.
In 1900 by mere force Of Bryan's will power,
the Kansas City platform incorporated the
heresies as to silver and other Issues, which
had been proclaimed In 1895, and were brought
forward again. AS natural consequence
Bryan and his platform was again repudiated
by the American people.
CHAPTER THREE.
The wearing OF Bryan's collar becoming
unbearable to a large portion of the more out
spoken voters OF the State, they have re.
solved to have no more OF It, They are, OF
course, as loyal Democrats as the blinded in
dividusls who refuse TO see. They have moth
ing to fear in comparison with others as to
their character, their intelligence, their
patriotism and their loyalty to all that is
dearest and best for South Carolina.
How the crowd OF intolerant politicians.
who have temporary control Of political mat
ters in this State, expect to maintain their
supremacy, and to hold public favor by caus.
ing rupture in the Democratic party is
more than We can see.
From the highest motives and from the
greatest love OF party, those who oppose
Bryan and his platform, have yielded their
own convictions for the safe party unity, re.
manned true and gave their votes, for the
men and the measures for which they had
little respect, even II they did not desplse.
Can reasonable men expect their neighbors
TO forever sacrifice their own feelings at the
dictation OF others?
CHAPTER FOUR.
In an of year, when no harm could pos.
sibly come from free and open discussion OF
political matters. the old party hacks who
have learned nothing, and who would keep
their heels on the necks Of their neighbors,
boldly propose to excommunicate from the
party all those who have intelligence enough
or fairness enough. to see that we ought to
unload the dead weights which we are carry
Ing.
Any man with thimble full Of brains
ought to know that the signs OF the times in
dicate that neither Bryan nor his selt.made
platform Of old and dead issues can become q
factor in the politics Of 1904. The Democratic
party cannot be held together in the presence
OF q carcass, which is 80 offensive.
Those Democrats who are determined not
to surrender their man hood at the dictations
OF their self-appointed guardians are sorry
for the situation. They do not want TO see q
rupture OF the Democratic party, and II rup-
ture comes 1t will be In obedience to the be-
hests of that manhood which refuses TO be
further trampled under foot by an arrogant
and Belf-opinionated crowd,