The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-07-03
McLaqrin Papers.

Within the last few days two or three OF our
exchanges have published lists OF McLaurin
papers, in which The Lantern was named.
Such mistake Is q OF surprising now when II
is 80 common for papers that do not endorse
McLaurin to say as mean things as possible
about him. The Newberry Observer has also
published statement only few days ago to
the effect that 1t favored the measures advo'
Gated by McLaurin, without expressing any
preference for McLaurin himself The State
was even put down recently by contem.
porary ss Tillman paper, which called forth
most admirable notwithstanding few un-
necessary harsh expressions in the introduc-
tory-showing how groundless was the sug-
The simple fact was that it would not abandon
the position which 1T had consistently held
becauee Tillman occupied q similar position
on questions under discussion.
The Lantern cannot 60 80 far even as the
Newberry Observer. II cannot say that II be-
neves in McLaurin's doctrines. It does not
believe in some OF them. but admits that they
are as we'll founded as those Of his opponents.
It believes that discussion on some Of them is
idle, the issues having passed into settled
now, but we are perfectly willing for our posi-
tion on all OF them to be known.
The talk about McLaurin, In majority OF
cases, Is purely personal matter or re-
mental democratic doctrine Involved. We
believe that the current issues should come
freely before the people; and about the only
condition that should be imposed on ones
entering q primary should be q pledge TO
abide by its result.
AS 70 McLaurin himself. bis general polit.
ical course has never conn mmended him to our
we are not partial 10 him and assume no re-
sponsibility for him in any way. At the
same time We say that there is no justifica-
tion Tor the unreasoning abuse heaped upon
him-Chester Lantern.
The Chester Lantern In the above, we think,
proves that 1t is very very nearly, II not quite,
a McLaurin paper.
When Newspaper wants the eourrent issues
to come before the people, 1t is fair enough.
When that paper, and the people, hear the
issues, there need be no anxiety as to the
result
We are surprised that newspapers like the
Chester Lantern and the Newberry Observer
should speak Of the personality Of McLaurin.
The Press and Banner has no idea that Sena.
tor MoLaurin Is an elder of any church, or
that he is Sunday school teacher, or even a
Sunday school scholar We care little about
him personally. Our interest in him lies in
the fact that he is a leader who is able and
bold enough to make the effort to bring the
Democracy back to the moorings from which
it was sent adrift by Bryan and Tillman.
II McLaurin can make the Democratic
party q national party, and not q local squad
OF sulkers, he will be OF great benefit TO the
State.
II he shall be able to inspire the people with
the will and the determination TO be some
thing else than kickers at everything, he will
be q public benefactor.
1t Is an undepieble fact that the Tillman
Democracy has unnecessarily run roughshod
over large proportion Of the people, and it is
true that large number of them will no
longer submit without protest.
McLaurin has repeatedly made clear, dis
tinct and specific declarations Of his Demo.
cratic principles. His speeches have been
statesmanlike. The fact is that no man has
sought TO show wherein he was wrong. The
Press and Banner doesn't believe that there ia
q man in the State who can show wherein
McLsurin's principles are not sound Demoe-
racy.
Tillman and McLaurin are not Of the same
build, physically or mentally. As q stump
speaker, where somebody Is to be "wooled,' -
Tillman can beat the world. But. he is not a
logical thinker or an analytical speaker. He
has not, since his public career-on the stump.
or In Congress-made speech that would
compare with any of McLaurin's speeches.
he seldom speaks without calling somebody
bad names In some Of the stronger or more
modified forms Of speech. The public may
say whether his speeches are characterized by
the harshness Of his criticisms. AS q stump
speaker who appeals to the passions and pre-.
judices Of the people he has perhaps no equal
in the South. AS reasoner, as q logical
thinker, as one Who appeals to the reason and
the higher sentiment OF the people. We have
heard, or read, no speeches which are more
statesmsnlike than those Of McLaurin. The
fact that many Tillman Democrats will not
read MoLaurin's speeches shows that they
fear the power Of his eloquence and the force
OF his facts.