Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-05

terneSS." l am redQy 10 acknowledge
that this is very desirable, but our race
has ever thought war preferable to dis
honor, and unless I am very much de-
ceived, large majority of the people
of South Carolina would be glad Of an
opportunity to punish treachery and
have those principles and policies which
they support loyalty represented in the
congress of the United States. What
you consider a calamity" would be
hailed by thousands as an opportunity
to get rid of a traitor who now, in their
opinion, disgraces the commonwealth.
I am aware that there Is strong oppo-
sition in certain quarters to a campaign
in this "off year" to fill two vacancies
in the senate. Many unthinking citi-
zens do not know it's Importance. Many
would-be aspirants are not just yet
ready for various reasons to enter the
contest brought on so Unexpectedly. 1t
Is not convenient or suitable. and there
fore they have. no doubt. importuned
your excellency to await their convent
ence. claiming that 1t is for the public
welfare. On the other hand it might
be remarked. that the session Of con-
gress beginning next December marks
an era in the history Of our republic
and the patriots who will then and
there fnaugurate struggle for the res
toration of the old landmarks and the
preservation Of our free institutions.
will need everv voice and every vote
that can be had. The fact that the Re-
publicans have a good majority in the
senate does not alter the case in the
least. The recent decision Of the SUI
preme court promulgating the damna-
BILE doctrine that this republic. whose
l. os,o1a i, Ia ~
the governed" can acquire by conquest
or purchase territories and peoples, to
be controlled and taxed without repre-
sentation through congressional abso-
lutism" must be met and exposed, and
plans must be laid for battle to the
death by the lovers Of Democracy and
liberty, against this heresy. An appeal
against imperialism which Is no longer
concealed or denied, must be made to
the people. as it was made against the
Dred Scott decision, and yet with such
crisis at hand the governor of this
grand old state appears willing to have
the state misrepresented and it's voice
silenced, because its two senator's stand
on opposite sides Of the question. What
is it? The people alone can answer.
I claim to represent the people and to
voice their wishes. The result of the
McLaurin within reach of his constit-
uents and it was to obtain this answer
at once that prompted my conduct at
Gaffney. They could not get at him to
administer a merited rebuke and pun
ishment except in the way which was
offered by our designations. Your ex-
cellencys action gives him a loophole
of escape, and the cenSure of blame
must rest where 1t belongs.
There is nothing personal in my atti-
tude towards Senator McLaurin,
though my language might indicate
such feeling; but I speak bluntly be-
cause I have always taught myself to
call things by their names. Nothing
but a sense of duty forces me to the
course have pursued. Material pros
perity and progress may be worth more
than strict adherence to principle and
loyalty to trust, but I cannot see 1t in
that light.
Holding this view T decline for the
present to withdraw my resignation
1t was rendered in order to secure the
resignation of Senator McLaurin, and
will not be withdrawn until he shall
have shown his unwillingness to let
our people pass upon his conduct this
year instead of next. He declares In
his latest interview that he "will speak
on such invitations as he did at Gaff-
ney when possible. and will not con-
sent to any interference by Senator
Tillman or anybody else" Whether or
not Mr.. McLaurin will be allowed to do
this remains to be seen. If the people
have a right to hear him, the same peo-
pie have a right to hear me and others
He no longer seems to have anxiety
about his health and IL allowed to
speak by himself, rather enjoys the
prospect.
am sir, your obedient servant,
BENZ. RYAN TILLMAN.