Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1901-06-05
Tho Opportunity Of Voters.
[Groonville Mountaincor, Nav Q

WIFI IHo laCcSC ana mOSL mover SCnSa-
tion ever sprung upon any people.
No one was expecting the encounter
of words between the Senators from
this State to eventuate in their abdi-
cation of official position. 1t is true
that a special was sent from this city
which indicated that gore might be
spilled if Tillman undertook bull
doing methods, as McLaurin was
said to be descended from fighting
stock and he would not brook insult
from the eminent past master of
abuse and ridiculc, or words to that
effect. Under the inspiration of this
timely warning it would not have
been surprising if the meeting at
Gaffney had ended in fis,icuff, or
if that be not within the domain Of
Senatorial courtcsics, even more scri-
GUS consequences might have re-
suited from the wordy encounter
But no one suspected that McLaurin
had knife up his sleeve, so to speak,
when he sprung the question of re-
signing upon "the gentleman from
Edgcfeld." That was an unsus.
pected and deadly thrust with keen
rapler, and 1T was surprise to the
doughty Senator who has been ac-
customed to the use Of budgeons.
lie fell victim to the willy foe and
lost his usual complacency and aban-
don when he permitted the thrust to
bring him to the ground. lie did
not parry with his usual skill, and
we are not prepared to believe that
Tillman was considerably ratified by
the bold and dashing proposition
from McLaurin, in which the "taunt-
ing process was cffectual. The die
has been cast by both of them and
there does not seem to be any means
OF retreat, although we are not sure
that these practiced and practical
politicians will not yet find flaw in
the agreement, and thereby disap-
point host Of their fellow citizens.
The shrewdness of McLaurin was
never more apparent than when he
threw out the taunt that Tillman
would not resign, for he must have
anticipated the response, and he was
ready to make the agreement with
his adversary. 1t was shrewd from
more than one point of view, and
Immediately placed Tillman at dis
advantage from which he did not re-
cover. 1T admits McI.aurin without
question into the special primary
next fall, as the State Executive
Committee darcs not usurp authority
by ruling him out, and Tillman's
influence must remain on the side of
recognizing him as a Democrat, while
dcnouncing him as traitor to the
party. This is an unexpected hobblc
which NlclIaurin placed on his antag-
onist, and from which he cannot
escape. 1t was also shrewd from
the fact that Tillman will be com
PEELED to act upon the defensive
when 1t comes to the discussion OF
Democratic loyalty, and he was al
ready "tauntcd" with his support OF
Pettigrew and Townc, whose Re-
publican records were undcniablr.
1t was likewise shrcwd because Me-
Laurin believes that he is the ONLY
man who can handle Tillman ON the
stump, and his onslaught at Gaffney
proves that he has ammunition of N,
effective character.
The signs are rropilious for clear
ing weather in The political skies of
this State. The voters never had n
better opportunity for expressing
their own convictions as to men and
measures, and we are inclined to be-
llcre tha, they will avail themselves
ot the chance To rcbukc disloyal,y
and bossism at one and the Sam
time. McLaurin anl TilIman, more
than any other men, stand for these
II lhdrahcts TO political adjustment in
South Carolina, and they are going to
be weighed in the balances which they
have set up. Democracy, political
integrity and honesty, unscllish, pa.
triotic motives and plain, undoub,na
regard for the interests Of the whole
people ought to be at premium in
the impending contest. Whether
Tillman or McIaurn shall succeed,
II they run against each other, the
one should learn the lesson that his
interference in the choice of candi.
dates will have to cease, and the
other that he must keep within the
lines OF his own party. Tillman had
no valid excuse for thrusting himself
INTO this campaign, and his exceed
ing vanity has met deserved re.
bukc already. McIaurin will find
out that he cannot play fast and
loose as Democratic Senator, acting
as the aImoncr of Republican gene
rosIty, and voting with the political