The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1901-06-12
NO. 81
Senator Morgan on McLaurIn.

eo~J
ato1isl opinions on a personal con-
tro7ersy between the two men who
are members of the Upper House
and who have warm friends on both
sides of the chamber is, of course,
difficult to get. There are few Sena
tors in Washington now, and these
few read of the resignation, Of the
South Csrolinians with surprise a
few days ago. They expressed the
opinion today that they felt that both
Senators had made great mistake
in falling into controversy which
would involve both so deeply. Both
Tillman and McLaurin are blamed
by Senators who are their friends,
while nearly all The members of the
Upper House are too experienced in
politics not to understand what q
man will do in the heat Of such a
struggle as now is in progress in
South Carolina. Still in their tenn
perate moments, and, ss they were
today, at their own fresides, they
look upon the latest phase Of the
Senatorial fight in that State as be-
ing almost childish in its extremes.
Senator Morgan, of Alabama, said:
"Both men are good Democrats.
I have no reason to doubt either
man, and I consider Senator Nc
Laurin one of the ablest men in the
Senate. He IS 20: pg, he is modest,
but he is very able. I cannot think
of one instance where McLaurin has
had his Democracy challenged Ooe
may vote for or against subsidies
but all Democrats in the Senate vote
for q subsidy at one time or another
and in one way or another-and still
be true Democrat, I consi1er the
man progressive who faces each and
every public question as it comes up
and tries to solve it for himself Yet,
We have our stereotyped Democrats.
There is an opportunity to honor The
man who, disagreeiDg with both the
platform and the nominee of his
party, does not step over into the
ranks of the other party, but prefers
to let the issue pass-t4kes to seclu-
sion and waite, but does rot desert
his party. I think there are many
such Democrats in this country to-
day. and We shall not misjudge them.
Therefore, no one can say that this
man is not a good Democrat or that
man is not because be may vote for
or against some bill in the United |
States Senate or in the Lower House
which may appear to involve directly
the Democratic OF Republican princ;
pies.
II voted for the treaty of Paris
not because Mr.. Bryan was on hand
working for it, but because I thought
it my duty; I talked and argued
against the ship subsidy bill because
1 thought it outrageous and en- i'm
position, but as I spoke against it
the Cotton Growers Associst ton of
the South passed resolution favor
ing it. That shows there is diver
sity of views of this question in the
South as well as in the North. [ do
Dot think that Senator McLaurin's
Democracy can be safely challenged
"When I read this morning Of the
two Senators, I thought it peculiar
that two men of experience, such as
they are, should deliberately invite
political suicide, and just to see who
will be there first at the resurrection.
The outcome may be different than
either one thinks. While they are
struggling for the honors they lay
aside now with such little thought,
others may appear on the scene and
seize both plums."