The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-27
LIVELY TIME COMING.
Educate the People OH the 1ssues-
McLaurin Not 10 Bluned or the
Track.
Manning Times


We would like to see an explanation given
from q non. partisan standpoint of the Paris
treaty, the administrations policy on Inter.
national matters, the shipsubidy legislation
nounced by the press of South Carolina. We
would also like for the press OF the State To
take up these questions and snow wherein
they are In violation Of democratic prin
cipes. and where in they are 10 violation o.
the Democratic party's creed. 1t must be
remem bered. our party's creed can only be
found In It's platform OF principles adopted a.
the National Democratic Convention, ano
what we would like. Is for some OF our editort
TO show us where there is any declaration in
the Democratic platform against the ratlnca'
ton of the Paris treaty, what Is the Demo-
cratic party's declaration relating 10 8 foreign
policy? Wherein does that platform declare
against the United States government giving
aid and encouragement to the upbuilding ol
the American merchant marine.
A discussion of these questions, free from
rancor, will have tendency to educate the
people, and throw light upon subjects which
are now hidden in darkness. We feel safe IN
saying that we do not believe there are nVe
people in hundred who have any concep.
newspapers of today. They know that those
Democrats who voted for these things are
being abused for 80 voting. and that they are
being charged with disloyalty to Democratic
where any editor making such a charge has
attempted to give any reasoning.
Ifthe coming campaign opened SO early IN
this State, ia TO be campaign OF education,
these questions mean and the effect they will
have upon their interests. DO not let US
pretend that we will have campaign oi
education, and only teach the people 10
takes snuff. There is a marked difference
between q campaign OF education: and cam
paign OF abuse and assertion. When man
is charged with disloyalty to his party, LEI
the party making the charge tell the people
what the principles OF the party are, then
show where those principles have been VIC.
lated, and then let tue party charged show II
be can, that he has been true TO the faith
and instead OF being nr Sy ona hs ppo
and faithful servant" 1fthis Is done. We will
be respecting the peoples intelligence by
endeavoring to enlighten them on the H.
sues.
When Senator Tillman went to the Nation
al Democratic Conventions at Chicago and
Kansas City, he advocated at the former city
the selection Of Senator Teller. republican
advocate Representative Towne. another
Republican. 10 be put on the ticket with
Williams Jennings Bryan, IN 1896 Tiimar
| said Ii to or Dust, which meant If the
/ he would join the Silver Republicans of the
West and bolt. Democratic South Caroline
endorsed Tillman, and yet we do not believe
auy body will say that Tillman's course was
|
conditions. and in 1896 when Tillman though
Teller the Republican,. should be one OF the
standard bearers for the Democratic party
| we did not doubt his sincerity nor his loyalty
| TO the party. but we did doubt his judgment
and so did the convention, and In 1900 on The
Nations birthday when Tlllman insisted
on putting Towne the Republican, up as ons
of the Democracy's standard bearers we still
doubted his judgement, but not his loyalty
Therefore We say. do not let us doubt thu
| loyalty OF any one until we have an oppor
tunity of understanding the questions TO-
gether with the motives.
| We beileve BENJAMIN Ryan Tillman hal
made the state an able, honest and courage
| ous representative, and were he running 10
the office tomorrow we Would be counted
among his supporters, but at the same tim'
| Tillman Is not infallible, he can make mis-
takes, and has made mistakes. On the grea
issues now pending Tilman stands with {
majority OF his party associates, but tina
does not signify that be is altogether right
and, he does not deserve as much credit, a
lfhe, single-handed and alone, differed will
his associates and proved to them that the,
were wrong. SO far as we are concerned
these great national questions are SO Intricate
that with all the Information at our com
4 mand, 1t is di tticult matter for us TO deter
mine which aide has the better Of the argu
ments. The speeches in the Congressiona
Record are teemipg with brain and brilllan
cy those advocating, present facts, figure
and argument to back up tneir contention
and those opposing do the same, and III
only way possible for the masses to get al
insight to the problem is to let the advocate
of these questions come before them In dis
passionate debate. and the argument mos
convincing will be accepted by the people
and to prepare the minds of the people I
understand legitimate debate, the news
paper editors should frat study the grea
questions and explain them to the people
this would be a high order OF journalism, an
at the same time an educational substance
remove the darkness now enveloping tn
masses.