Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-06-22

the industrial forces Of the South re-
bellion against the policies Of negation
and sentiment that have weakened the
Democratic party.
The age is commercial. The dollar
Is dominant and the trade winds are
getting ready to blow the ballots in a
storm towards political organization
which stands for the real material de-
velopment of these gulf and South
eastern states.
1t may be delayed and the battle Of
the practical and prejudicial may be
fierce, but it is sure to come, and out
Of it there will be, in some shape, a
new birth Of politics in all this war
wasted and impoverished, but marvel
ously resourceful southern country.
In this view Of the case McLaurin,
of South Carolina, has, at least, done
we'll in precipitating this conflict
within the ranks Of the Democratic
party, instead of joining forces with
the organization where name and his
tory have so long been antagonistic to
Southern minds. It is better that the
first battle should be fought inside the
party lines. 1t may be that the result,
whatever it Is, will be accepted, and
the party Of the people will fall into
line behind the new and progressive
ideas of totally changed and altered
era. If so, all will be well.
But if not, then we shall see-what
only the "nigger in the woodpile" has
kept us from seeing long ago-two
distinct political parties in the South,
watching and restraining each other,
appealing to an intelligent suffrage for
support on reasonable lines, and de-
veloping the Independent thought Of
the young South in an open forum Of
divided opinion.
There are greater misfortunes which
could befall this section.
The ideas for which McLaurin stands
are militant and enduring. Whether
they involve the wisest and soundest
policies of the South, time. will deter
mine.
But that they represent the intelli-
gent and determined convictions Of
vast number Of citizens and voters of
the South cannot be gainsaid. That
these men will cleave to these opinions
is not to be doubted.
What these men want is not to join
the Republican party to secure the
adoption of their views; but to reason
ably and honestly persuade the DEM
ocratic party to open it's eyes to the
changed conditions of the time, and to
plant itself upon principles and poll
cies that conserve the material inter-
ests of the people.
The Negro is practically disfran-
chised in every Southern state. The
shadow of black supremacy no longer
intimidates free thought in Dixie.
If Democracy falls in line with the
spirit of these larger times it will con-
tinue to win. If not, some other party
will win the suffrage of these South
ern states because it will deserve their
support.
This is the logic of the situation.
No scurvy politician, without integ-
rity, and merely scheming for personal
advantage, will be needed to lead this
progressive movement. For strong
men of high repute are plentiful and
capable in the ranks of those who fol-
low it.
With a year and half to wait, with
abundance of ammunition, comrner-
cial spirit, progressive era and a state
thrilling with resources and the ambi-
ton for development behind him, Nc
Laurin may be pictured two years
from now in different colors from the
cartoons that serve the hour at this
time.
And so South Carolina may lead a
new secession.
May the best man and the best pol
icy win.