The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1901-06-05


at the debate in Gaifncy, ). c., be
tween United States Senators Tillma'
and Mclaurin of South Carolina, anC
Of witnessing the sensational episode
which resulted in their joint rcslgna
ton 1t was a performance without
precedent SO far as know, and ono
that could hardly have occurred any
where else but IN South Carolina. Ii
means the bringing on of Il bitter and
sensational campaign this summer, and
one that will be very trying ON Senator
Mel .auriu's physical ability, il not ON
his scnsbilitics He is evidently not
a well man, though he has great
nGrvc force. a three-hOurs' debate
that leaves Senator Tillman perspiring,
but ruddy and eager for more, leaves
Senator McIaurin nervous, unslrung,
temporarily collapsed. Tillman fights
because he loves it, He rcjoiccs in
the storm of battle, in the bluislng of
his victim. Just as Il prize tighter likes
to see the blood squirt from the face of
his antagonist, so Ben Tillman likes TO
soc Il sensitive opponent grow pale or
llusl and iigurativcly wnthe under
his bitter innucndo and abuse. Nc
l.aurn is of lincl fibre. He does not
love TO fight, but he does not shun II.
lie does not fear to strike Stlnglng
blow, but he does it of necessity, rath-
cr than because he takes pleasure IN It,
Thought face TO face with duty he
would back his position with his life,
and never quail for an instant, but he
would 60 it under tremendous nervous
tension, and when the strife was over
Il
not actual prOstration but lasstude
and exhaustion. The end of sensa~
tional canvass, full of personalities and
excitement, would hnd Mcl'nurin
greatly exhausted, depleted IN weight
and strength, if not actually sick; while
Illlman would be strong as an OK, and
lit for another month of the same sort.
Both men are absolutely fearless, but
they differ greatly in fibre and tempera-
mcnt.
McI.aurin is handsome man of fine
statLIc, and an easy and at times, cl
fcCtive speaker. lie makes no effort
at flights Of coquencc, but is earnest
and occasionally fcrvid in speech.
There seems to be something lacking
in the strength Of his face, and so i'm
his speaking he seems Just to fall short
OF the power that moves men, and
carries conviction. He talks well, and
mounts To a certain height of vigor and
earncstncss, but lacks that ringing
tone orpcrsonal magnetism that makes
the blood tinylc in the veins and yeeps
an au hence OFF It's feet. He is more
ornate than Tilman. but less forceful.
He is more gracious. bui less winninu
He is more argumcntatiyc, but less
convincing. He is more courteous
but does not get as s,ronp hold on
casual acQuaintances or partisan
friends. lie is manly and fearless, but
lacks that personal quality that a-
tachcs men to his cause and nrocloims
the leader
There is strong belief prevalent
that the whole thing Is bluff and play
for position, and that the designations
viii be declined by the Governor. or
come effective. ] do not think there
is any ground for this. However un
prcmcditatcdy or ilippantly the came
may have been entered upon. it be-
came serious enough before The finish.
and Senator rlllman was determined
to force Senator Mel .aurin to RESIGN or
to squarcly back down after having
agreed to do 50 before the audience.
I'm the matter of the resignation Till
man was the aygrcssor all the wav
through. lie began by declaring that
Gin the game of politics a man could
come mighty near being n rascal. and
when representative refused to stand
by the policies Of the party that elected
him he might be called q traitor"
Then he declared that the manly course
for McInurin to pursue would be to
resign and 90 before the people for re-
election, thus giving them an oppor-
iunity to endorse his course by re-
clcctlng him, or to rcpudiate him if |
they believed his course was undemo-
81 will understand that you don't want |
me if you rc.clcct Me- I.aurin, for If he |
is a Democrat | am not"
The purpose Of Tillman was clearly
to draw the sharpcst possible contrast
between his own position and that of
Il l,,