The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-29
THE GREENVILLE MEETING
Boiled Down by August Kohn.


Greenville, May 22-"Commercial Domo-
new political ship today formally launched
at Greenville. 1t was a rather premature
launching, for twill be fun year before the
leave the port Of Primary. 1t may never
leave port and II 1t does 1t will have an ex-
ceedingly rough passage until II gets to the
port of Reelection. just yet the ship is 10
entire charge OF It's captain-SenatorJ John l..
McLaurin. Material in the shape OF crew
presented itself today but the make up OF the
passage list has not yet been made because
care has been taken in avoiding the shoals,
the dynamite of Tillman; the snags OF DEM
ocratIc opposition and the dangers OF rotting
tied up tothe starting point. 1t will be an
eventful trip, and one fraught with intense
interest not only TO the captain, Senator Nc
Laurin, and his crew, but to the State at
large. Thatthe captain is now In earn est an d
bent upon making the port OF Reelection is
certain. Today he came TO Greenville to
show the people OF the State what manner OF
boat he had 10 launch and how he expected
TO make the trip.
Early In April conn ittee consisting OF
Messrs. Jas. l.. Orr, ]. II. Maxwell, NJ. D.; j.
A. Mccullough, Frank Hammond, w. j.
Tnackslon, Lewis w. Parker, w. G. Beacham,
w. ID. Metts, A. A. Bristow, A. g. Furman
rim 10 come TO Greenville and make formal
presentation, from his standpoint, of certain
national Issues now before the people"
II does not follow that all OF these gentle
they did want to hear Ills views aud did want
others 10 hear them. That was why Senator
McLaurin. was here and right boldly did he
proclaim his views,
First OF ali he insisted 81 am q Democrat,
but,-regardess OF party lines or fealty l
stand for industrial success and commerc ial
trump" All through the speech, the very
core OF 1t ran: Locally and secuonally II am
a Democrat but he added, II assert, fellow
citizens, however, that 1t is almost q crime
for any party to make great. broad, non
political American measures, Involving the
political and commercial development OF
this nation the test of party lealty."
Then IT was that be insisted that ex pansion,
su bsidies and the like OF his com nmercial doc
trines were in line with the democracy OF our
fathers.
There were several glaring, shining features
to the address today-they stood out like the
spires OF a church, and when ennuncated
dinai features OF and briefly summarized the
speech. They were:
lst. Irrespective Of party be stood for the
great commercial and industrial interests OF
the nation.
End. 81 have broken up,'' he said, negro
government and carpetbagism in South Caro-
lima.
3rd. 81 am Democrat in spite Of all the
ISLANDERS that have been circulated against
4th. II recognize no boss, In or out of the
State and am free from Tillman's coattail.,
a speech on free silver.
9Th. II am expansionist.
7th. Favors the principle Of ship subsidy,
Sth. A steal is not "steal" when it is
going the way of other folks.
9th. The Isthmus canal means southern
prosperity.
for South Carolina, not to further my personal
interests.
llth. The friend and advocate of Capers
and Chaiee.
18th. Has kind words for Charleston expo
stion.
18th. Insists the only way he can be de
feated is to be forced out OF the primary.
er charged that dirty dollar has ever crossed
the palm of my hand;" is honest In the be-
lief that he Is right IN principles and that
principles are above party lines.
There was great deel more to the speech
| for 1t lasted more than two hours and when 1t
was over Senator McLauriD was thoroughly
| fagtiued and looked somewhat worn. 1t was
all the fervor and feeling OF his body into
what he said. 1t was good speech, and from
bis standpoint strong. AT times 1t rose 10 de-
cided eloquence, full OF heart and meaning
| and then 1t went to the ridiculous jibing at
| |Tillman, or Latimer or Hemphill or Gonzales
| or "Old Granny" or The State.
The meeting was held in Greenviles new
opera house-a dainty structure. 1t is said TO
com com fortabIy seat i.90o end allowing Tor the
unoccupied seats In the upper galleries those
standing near the doors there were fully
l,2N In the audience, II that he the seating
capacity Of the opera house. 1t was what
| might be called nigh class audience. II was
very largely made up Of business men In
Greenvile. many substantial farmers. about
one hundred OF Green ville's best lady folk
and large contingent of the student body OF
| Furman University. II was a refined audi
ence, say half rural and half town folk.
They were all orderly and we'll behaved
There were no questions, no jeers. no taunts
and occasionally hearty applause. In fact to
| stranger unfamiliar with the Significance il
must have been taken to be an address TO
a graduating class, literally applauded but
| for the labs Senator McLaurin would occa
sionally give TiIIman or some one else.
have noticed that udiences sit down seldom,
| II ever get enthusiastic and today's gathering
was appreciative but lacked the old time
political snap and ginger, perhaps because
| there WAS no one around to poke at Senator
McLaurin or to harrass him with questions.
When Senator McLaurln proclaimed his ab.
solute independence OF all bosses, there was
applause; when he proclaimed that he had
rid the State of negro ru lie and carpetbagism
there was enth usasm; when he announced
himself an eXpansienist the applause was
generous; when he dramatically exclaimed
II am Democrat In spite Of the ISLANDERS on
me, there was bit of old time Whoop, and
SO II went for say score or more OF climaXeH.
When he argued the theories OF government
expansion, subsidy and the like, the audience
Listened quietly and aItentively.
The "hot STUFF the "boys' like and about
which they cry themselves boarse was not IN
todays speech; that will perhaps come u n.
der the hre and inspiration Of opposition and
1t may have been very we'll 10 have at least
| one pronunciamento like that OF Today with.
out interruption or bother and that each can
didate for senatorial toga be allowed to do the
same 40 the voters can quietly sit down and
read, digest and compare views, without the
ann0vanC6a q t1Sna4