The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-09-04
SUMTER S. c.. WEDNESDAY. SEPTEMBER f. 1901.

were. and are, la1o 0OWn, IS some
thing which cannot be achieved with
out arrogating to the individual a
power which was never delegated, and
one which cannot be exercised but as
an assumption of authority rather
than as right.
It is upon his score and apparently
upon this belief that the gentlemen
who spoke here today sought to call
Senator McLaurin to account, and
upon which they mean to appeal to
their party and the State. They left
no doubt as to the issue which they
took with the junior Senator. They
declared that the people of South Car
olina are, and have ever been, a Dem
ocratic people. That they are so by
inheritance and by principle. They al
legged that more than one vote which
Senator McLuarin has cast in the Sen
ate has violated every political tradi-
ton which they hold most sacred-has
been in direct conflict with the basic
doctrines of government which their
party platforms have iterated and re-
iterated from time immemorial, and
which they themselves reannounced
without hesitation or ambiguity upon
the most recent occasion upon which
their representatives were in conven-
ton assembled. They declared that
the people of South Carolina twelve
months ago believed almost to man,
and that they believe now, in the
Democracy defined in the State and
national platforms. They said that
when Senator McLaurin was elected to
the Senate his constituents left no
doubt in his mind as to what, on their
behalf, he was to represent. When
new party issues arose they quickly
sought opportunity to instruct him
through regularly constituted mediums
where they stood and where he must
stand if he would voice their opinion.
They said that, in spite OF these facts,
Senator McLaurin had in more than
one instance absolutely disregarded the
expressed wishes in national politics
of the party that had sent him to
Washington. They predicted that he
might draw for himself a small fol-
loWing-men in whose personal inter
est certain of his views appealed, or
else those who were attracted by the
influence which he is supposed to ex-
ert upon the Federal patronage. But
without exception they declared, with
confidence calculated to carry with
it some conviction, that the rank and
file Of the voters of South Carolina are
loyal to the Democratic party-the
Democratic party as it has been and
is, and is the opponent of imperialism
and trusts-the Democratic party that
believes in the right of the people to
rule, whether it be Senator, a Con-
gresham, or President-the Demo
cratic party to which the speakers
today appealed to protect itself
against a movement which they de-
clare threatened its sooundest and
most important principle.
/ am not attempting here to give
verbatim anything that one of the
speakers of today said, but do not
think that I am misrepresenting the
general trend of the opinions which
they expressed regarding McLaurin
and the movement with which he is
getting the credit of being the
parent. I am satisfied that none of
the gentlemen who spoke today would
willingly do McLurin an injustice.
They often declared their regrets at his
absence. AS matter of fact, I think
they honestly feel somewhat hampered
by the fact that be is not attending
any of these meetings. They would
give him fair showing and all intel
ligent audiences, such as that which
was at the Court House today, would
do likewise. AS matter of fair play
he would be entitled to and would
receive every consideration not in
compatible with conflicting interests OF
equal worth. No one may reasonably
eainsay the explanation which he has
given at one time and another for his
! absence from the State, but it is a
matter of sincere regret by every one
that he is not present at every such
meeting as that which was held today.
There is disposition on all hands tc
see the great question which he has
rised threshed out to the last straw
and the things that are at stake are
of far too great moment for only one
side to be heard. II. Marshall il
The News and Courier.
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