The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-07-27
NO SAILING UNDER FALSE
CCLORS.

The Democratic Executive Committee of
South Carolina, by a vote of 25 to 5, have
called upon Mr.. McLaurin to resign as
Senator from South Carolina. Since his
election he has voted on almost every oc-
ate; he has notified Chairman Jones that
he will not attend or abide by the ac-
tion of the Democratic Senatorial eau
Gus; he has become the distributor of
Federal patronage in South Carolina,
seeking TO seduce Democrats to advocate
Republican measures through the gift
Of Offices; he has publicly, at Charlotte
and elsewhere, declared his advocacy of
protection ship subsidies and imperial
ism, the three leading Republican poll
oies; he has stopped over" in his adula-
ton of Mckinley, and has organized a
policy that would convert the Democratic
party into an annex of the Republican
party. These things have made him a
Republican, no matter what name he
calls himself, and every Republican in
the United States is giving him aid and
encouragement. If he lived in any State
where there was any chance of Republican
success, he would call himself a Republic
can. He masquerades. fas "a, Democrat in
South Carolina only because he knows
4l,,. &c no sbo,,Id oaJIa1,fp,c oIf n Ponublicap
he would have no support. except from
the few remaining scalawags, carpet
baggers and the negroes the latter hav-
ing no Sotd SA8A n
In view Of his attempt, while calling
himssaf;sa Democrat to ! Republicanize
South Carolina, the party organization OF
that State owed it to itself to purge the
party of the wolf in it's ranks clothed in
sleeps clothing. This is free country
think as he pleases, and to vote as he
pleases, but no man has the right to sail
under false ,seolors. The South Carolina
Democratic yorganigStcn has done the
cause of free speech, honest action, and
party cleanness a service in officially de-
claring Senator McLaurin out of the party
and compelling him to sail under his true
colors. If he had the true sense of
public service, he would at once tender
his resignation, go into the Republican
party, and make his fight openly under
the Republican standard. Men of all
parties respect an honest and open foe,
but they will not tolerate men who per-
sist in sailing under false colors.
The Columbia State, which is now, and
always has been, an aggressive opponent
of Senator Tillman. heartily approves
the action, and in the course of strong
editorial, says:
But it (the resolution calling for Nc
Laurins resignation) will serve the very
excellent purpose of removing any
doubt which may be entertained as to
the attitude of the Democracy of South
Carolina toward the McLaurin movement
This radical action was taken by the
votes of four-fifths of the committeeman
present, representing, as we believe, in
spirit as in fact, -fifths of the Demo-
Gratis of South Carolina. Grant, if you
will, that the members of the committee
are mere politicians; this circumstance
will at least qualify them to detect the
direction of the Democratic wind. Know
ing the state of sentiment in their coun-
ties they would not be disposed, as poll
ticians merely, to resist that sentiment
and imperil their political future. On
the other hand, if they represent in feel
ing as we'll as fact the desires of their
nifcant. However it may be accounted
for. it is a singing blow to the preten-
sions of the McLaurinites.
,sApCtner circumstance adds signif
canoe to the action taken. Many of the
members of the committee were former
Conservatives" and it is from this
element that McLaurin hopes to receive
his strongest support. The vote does
mot show that such support is forth
koming.
THE State Democratic, Executive COM
mittee has done well. 1t has made it
plain that there is "a great gulf fixed
between McLaurin policy and Demo-
cratic policy 1t has crystallized the
issue. The Democratic organization of
the State is committed against Senator
deserter from the Democratic party, a
Republican in fact. The moral value of
this declaration is great. The issue is
now officially made: Democracy against
McLaurinism'