Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-08-07

mand for 1t the confidence and respect
of the business and laboring elements
north and south; and that Of the man
whose conduct and record has been to
sink the party to disrepute and impo-
tence. 1 shall ask them to say whether
they prefer the senator who has tried to
retain for South Carolina the honor and
dignity won by long line Of illustrious
sons and glorious deeds, or the senator
who has postured as buffoon and bully
and who proclaimed on the floor of the
senate that he represented constitu-
ency of ballot-box suffers and murder
ers who wanted their share of the steal
age.
Tariff, Subsidies and Expansion.
He is now in Northern state holding
up our people as Negro murderers and
ballot-box thieves.
You have undertaken to condemn and
expel and depose me, not only without
a hearing, but without evidence. Upon
what ground are my good faith as a
senator and my fidelity as Democrat
assailed? Is it on the tariff? None Of
you of the committee can prove to the
people that the Democratic party Is a
free trade party. 1t has opposed tar
if for protection only; but as early as
1877 we had a protective tariff and we
have never in the 104 years since,
known free trade. General Hancock,
the party nominee for president in 1880,
regarded the tariff as local question,
Samuel ]. Randall for years the party
leader and speaker Of the speaker of
the house, was protectionist. In ev-
cry congress, where the question has
been presented, numbers Of Democrats
have voted against and helped to kill
free trade. have contended that
Southern products should be put on
with others, and in 1897 I
fought to have rice. pine lumber and
cotton protected. The cry Of "Republi-
can" was raised against me then, but
the people, before whom the issue was
put, endorsed me by an over
vote. Are you now undertake
ing to reverse that verdict?
have favored ship subsidies. 1t Is a
great question, and one, I submit, on
which the people Of this state are COM
petent to pass after hearing full argu-
ment. The subject has never been dis
cussed before them, although 1t Is of
vast Importance to the prosperity Of
this state. The purpose Of the subsidy
is to develop the building and operation
Of great fleets Of American ships. 1t
touches the interests Of our seaports, of
our lumber industries, Of all our manu-
featuring enterprises and our great ag-
ricultural products. 1t Is question on
which some Of the ab1est Democrats of
the house and senate are divided. l
humbly submit that it Is not In order
for 21 members Of your committee to
rule that the Democratic masses of
South Carolina shall not at their cam
paign meetings hear this matter, Of VI
tai interest to them, discussed; and that
the people of the sea coast cities, who
would like to see new tides of commerce
brought to their harbors and the lum-
bermen and owners of forest lands who
would be glad to sell material for more
ships, are to be thrown neck and heels
out of the party because they favor
ship subsidies. Senators Carlisle, Pugh
and Morgan voted for subsidy bill
which has been in force 10 years and
which has helped our Brazilian trade,
in a measure, at least. Are they not
Democrats, according to the decision Of
Senator Tillman and your committee?
l believe that 1t is our duty to devel-
op the new territory which has come
into our possession. along commercial
and industrial lines, to civilize them,
and to make them the equal of our own
states in material prosperity. Senator
Tillman would leave them, after we
have deprived them Of the protection Of
Spain, to a hopeless struggle as an in
dependent nation, without resources or
self protection. Fortunately for us the
records show that in building them up,
we are going to benefit our own coun-
try. want to give that territory the
best form of government in the world,
Ee does not want to give it any form
Of government at all. He says "free
silver or bust" l say the American
people have settled that question at the
ballot box.
l am for a sound currency and con-
slant employment for all who desire
work, at remunerative wages. This we
cannot have without an outlet for our
surplus products on equal terms with
all our competitors in the markets of
the world. Do you think the energetic
live. progressive young business man
Of the South, will long permit the ca
balls of a few scheming politicians to
stand between him and the attainment
Of these glorious ends? If this is not
Democracy, then gentlemen, l invite
vou to ioin hands with me in making 1t
so.
These are the leading questions on
which I understand my democracy and
loyalty have been assailed. The records
give me little light as to what further
ground there may be for your action.
Allow me to summarize them briefly.
In the first session of the 55th con-
rress. Senator Tillman and myself vo-