Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-09-04

L
been in the interest Of the people Of his
state, and he was satisfied that the
next five years would bring him COM
plete vindication. He told also how he
could have avoided all.the vituperation
and abuse to which he is now subjec-
ted, by simply failing to do what he
knew to be his plain duty, and
how his conscience would not let him
/ follow such a course. He referred to
the fact that he had said in mis- speech
on ship subsidy, that he was not COM
mitted to the pending bill, and he ex-
planned that new bill on the subject
is now being prepared for introduction
at the next session of congress. The
senator was listened to quietly and at
tentively throughout, and although 1t
was clear that he made and was maxi
ing a deep impression, there was little
or no applause.
TOMBSTONE IN REPLY.
When he got up to make reply, Mr..
George tombstone was received with
an ovation. This gentleman is not
very popular in Anderson because Of
his past political attitude: but there
were no signs Of the old feelings in the
audience. The applause came to him
from all parts of the house, and 1t was'
loud and enthusiastic. It was evident
that he realized the Importance Of the
occasion and the magnitude Of the op-
portunity offered for himself.
Colonel Johnstone Is master Of sar-
casm. satire and cutting irony, and
for the occasion he summoned all the
power Of his art. He affected the style
Of Mark Anthony's speech over the
body Of Caesar, freely conceding that
Senator McLaurin was an honorable
man, and then administering blood
letting stab. While he was willing to
admit that Senator McLaurin was not
trying to organize Republican party,
he claimed that II the senator's policies
should prevail, Republicanism would
surely come in their wake. He claimed
that were it not for the fact that he
thought the Democratic party in dan
ger, he would not be there. There were
many among his closest friends who
thought like McLaurin, and although he
did not desire to hurt their feelings,
his duty to the party demanded that
he tell the truth let the result be what
it may. He undertook to point out
the difference between McLaurin's ex-
pansion and Democratic expansion;
claiming that Democratic expansion
erected into States, with the consent Of
the people to be governed. He charged
that the forces with which McLaurin is
operating are establishing a despotic
government in the Philippines. He
ridiculed the idea that the Filipinos
have no government or are unable to
govern themselves. He compared the
attitude Of the Federal government In
the Philippines to conditions that ex-
listed in South Carolina during recon-
struction under Sickles and Candy.
He roasted McLaurin's argument that
the islands should be held for trade.
claiming that the people did not even
wear clothes. Next. Mr.. Johnstone
Jumped on the ship subsidy proposition.
holding that the principle was different
from that which gives money to rail-
roads and that farmers have as much
right to bonus Of 81 on each bale Of
cotton they produce. He held that the
ship subsidy idea grows out Of fear
on the part Of the trans-continental
railroads that the digging Of the Mica
rauga canal will take shipping busi-
ness away from the eastern and west
ern ports. and 1t is for that reason that
these interests desire subsidies. He
was enthusiastic in favor Of the Mica
raugua canal; claiming that herein was
the great secret Of prosperity for
our Southern manufacturing interests.
About here Mr.. Johnstone pointed out
the fact Of Senator McLaurin's falibili-
ty on account of his change from the
alliance doctrines. and some one ask
ed If Tillman had not changed too.
So, to the very great surprise Of every
body. Colonel Johnstone launched into
a sky scraping eulogy Of Tillman,
comparing that gentleman to Calhoun,
Hayne, Hampton and even Thomas
Jefferson. God knows" he said. that
when Tillman and Hampton stand to-
gether for principle, 1t must be right"
| [Applause.] In conclusion, Mr.. John
stone, devoted himself to the patronage
question, asking If anyone believed that
Mckinley would use the ammunition
at his disposal for building up a Demo-
cratic party in South Carolina. 1T is
miraculous" he said, "how these ap-
pointments come without solicitation
or suggestion, and 1t Is marvellous how
Mckinley and special providence CO.
incide with Senator McLaurin's views"
| [Great applause.1
| M'LAURIN IN REPLY
1t was evident that Mr.. Johnstone
had made good impression on the au-
dience against Senator McLaurin, and
it was also quite clear that in order
to hold his own, the senator would have
to put up a strong case. Senator Nc
Laurin was not in the least flustered,
however. He pulled off his collar and
got down to business, opening his
speech with compliment to the fair
ness, courtesy and ability of Mr.. john
stone.
| With reference to Mr.. Johnstones
statement to the effect that the senator
had said that Mckinley should be re-
elected by reclamation, he explained
that the war had been brought on by
| the Democrats and that Mckinley had