Durango semi-weekly herald., 1901-06-03

Il me sudden and most dramatic
event. the resignation OF two senator
from that state as the result OF ban
tering in Joint debate Mt the town ol
ianney, near Columbia. may prove "a
De another Fort Sumpter in the i'm
portance of its ultimate results It
marks the beginning of what will
doubtless prove to be the most inter-
esting. most sensational and most sig
1incant political campaign waged In a
southern state since the war of the
rebellion.
| The contest Is even more important
! than appears upon the surface. II
is not alone struggle between men.
| 1t is battle of forces in human na-.
ture. A clashing OF classes-an ef-
Tort on the part of the superior people
OF community to emancipate them
selves from the control OF the infe-
rior Back of this. and part OF II. 10
the struggle for intellectual freedom.
the yearning OF proud and highly
cultivated people to knock of the
shackles which have bound them I'm
the discharge of their duties and ex-
ercise of their rights as citizens. This
phase of the situation Is far more in
teresting than the political aspect of
t; indeed, the party interests and
possible outcome sink into insignifi-
eance.
Notwithstanding all that has been
written concerning the movement in
south Carolina which of late has at
tracted so much attention throughout
he country the true inwardness of
he affair is not even yet generally
understood.
The prevailing opinion Is that Sem
ltor McLaurin has as good as left
me Democratic party; that he Is try
ng to organize a new Republican par
ty-in his state; that ne IS naturally,
therefore,, antagonized by the best
people. who will not have anything
o do with any organization which
bears the name Republican or which
has open or tacit alliance with the
negro element of the poulatfon.
In point of fact, Senator McLaurin
has not left the Democratic party at
I'll. He does not propose to leave 1t.
lie has no intention of organizing
1ew party, Republican or other
The struggle now going on in South
Carolina, Senator McLaurin being the
'eaher of the protesting movement.
g wholly within the Democratic par
y. There is no Republican party In
ne state beyond few negroes who
still evince an interest in politics,
md few white men who evince a
;reater interest in the federal Offices
This new movement is an attempt
II the Democratic party OF the state
20 free itself of the domination OF pop
rlism. of the control OF men who are
rot fairly representative OF the char
'cter and intelligence of the state.
Tillman. as General NJ. C. Butler
says. is a Populist not a Democrat
He has no right to call himself a
Democrat He is Populist by
birth. in character, instinct. In meth
cd. in association. II is not a contest
between white men and "niggers"
for control of the state, but between
white men of the better class and
white men of the lower order.
Until Tillman dawned upon the
scene the Democratic party Of South
Carolina was in the hands OF the old
= Intelligent and proud party as
ould be found anywhere. 1t sent
% the senate such men as Wade
hampton. and NJ. G. Butler. gallant
,x-confederates. representatives OF the
I'D type of southern gentlemen. edu-
'ated. chiyalrous high toned, but
ot progressive. traditional. not en-
ergctic.
Then came Tillman Low born,
'Ough. sometimes wanton, but n mar
~el of energy. he reused the masses.
rhe poor whites and all the elements
# society that had chafed under the
leadership OF the aristocrats fell In
behind him The small farmers. the
mall shopkeepers. the mechanics.
we're swallowed up in the Populistic
wave. There was a little socialism
n it. as was Witnessed by the dispen-
,ary law The oldtImers were
brown out OF power. The elegant
,lantcr. the high-toned lawyer. the
nan who could boast Of his pedigree.
nd of his family's services to the
tate. had to take back seat Till
nan ard his horde OF scurbs. dream
or there Is some method In all hu-
nan madness-were in full posses
sion. and have remained there since.
Now this is movement to oust
hem. II Us not exactly movement
o restore the ancient regime. for that
$ impossible Conditions have chang
ID. There is n new order OF things.
rhe strongest force throughout the
south today Is not so much tradition
,s 1t is commercial rational. thorough
" modern. In other words. the peo-
Die OF the south are In the essence of
'haracter and springs of action Just
| ike the American people everywhere.
tney have their interests and their
views. and they wish to express both
It the ballot box and have both rep
esented In the councils OF the nation.
NEW YORK. May 3i.-Thomas A.
| edison. the wizard OF electricity, has
| discovered how tn mako pOrtland m