Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-11-20


And why Is this discussion neces-
sary? The answer brings up boldly the
issues involved. You are represented
In the United States senate by two
well-known gentlemen-Mr. Tillman
,and Mr.. McLaurin. During the last
session Of the senate, Mr.. McLaurin
made a bold speech against imperial
ism, expansion and collonialism, and
when the time came to vote shortly
afterward, he voted the other way.
Not only that, when q caucus Of the
Democratic party was called he did not
|attend. He refused to allow your rep
resentatives, the representatives Of the
people who elected him, to suggest the
line Of political action he should follow.
Then, when congress adjourned, at
Charlotte, Greenville, Gaffney and else
where, he stood up for what he called
the New Democracy" declaring the
party to which he owed his election old
and effete. He almost asked for the
formation Of new party, and must
say that would have more respect for
him had he done so, because he advo-
Gated doctrines which, If endorsed by
the Democratic party, ,will take the
people Of South Carolina and the
south, horse, foot and dragons into the
Republican camp.
am here to meet those doctrines, not
from the standpoint Of mere opposing
partizanship; but to show how they do
not and cannot contribute to the well
fare and best interests of the people
of the south. Now then, let US see
what he advocates and wherein his
doctrines differ from those held by the
Democratic party to which he claims
allegiance.
First, he stands for territorial expan-
sion; second a high protective tariff;
and third ship subsidy. These are the
three questions around which all the
other questions revolve. The Democrat
ic party is unalterably opposed to high
tariff, and in its last national conven-
ton it declared specifically against ex.
pansion and ship subsidy. So here we
find Senator McLaurin claiming to be
a Democrat, and in these three doc
trines antagonizing the party in all
Of its fundamental principles.
Now, where does Democracy start ?
Away back at the beginning Of this
government out of two opposing ideas
there was evolved the two parties Of
today. Thomas Jefferson, who was the
father of the Democratic party Of to-
day, maintained that the people should
rule the government, and Alexander
Hamilton, who was the original ex-
ponent of Republicanism, maintained
that the government should rule the
people. Upon these two opposing ideas,
with their variations, the two parties
have come down to US as they are
known today.
The close Of the Civil war found
the Republican party in power, and In
that party inaugurated the present
system Of protection, under which the
manufacturers, by keeping out Eu-
ropean competition, are enabled to sell
goods to the farmer at an advance on
legitimate prices. Out Of the protec-
tive tariff have come the trusts, which
still further restrict competition, and
this Is the condition that is approved
by Senator McLaurin and those who
believe with him.
Now, as to expansion, Commodore
Dewey was ordered to find and destroy
the Spanish fleet. There was at that
time no idea Of siezing the Philippines.
After the destruction Of Spanish power,
however, and when it became appar-
ent that this territory was within our
grasp, the greed of those who have
control Of the trusts, impelled them to
insist that these islands be held, thus
committing us to a policy Of expan-
sion, and increasing the power Of the
| trusts.
| In the name of heaven, what do we
want with any more land. We now
have as much as can be developed by
all our capital and enterprise. If, how
ever, we want more territory, let us
go down into Mexico, where we can Sc
cure the consent Of the people to erect
four additional states, or let us ne
gotiate with Canada for annexation.
Why should We 60 ten thousand miles
after a people who want no affiliation
with US?
Mr.. McLaurin points to Florida and
Louisiana as Democratic precedent for
expansion; but any child who can read
history knows that this territory was
annexed by request and with the CON-
sent of the people who were to be
brought under our government.
But where will this matter Of the
forcible annexation Of foreign territory
lead us to? We will have to make al
liances with other nations In Europe
and Asia, and when they get into trou-
BILE over matters about which we have
no concern, we will have to assist
them with our army and navy. 1t
will bring interminable turmoil and
strife. It has been said that the de-
velopment Of our foreign. trade will
encourage cotton production and cotton
manufacturers. There Is no man more
in favor Of these things than I; but
what is the use Of going to war to
enlarge our trade so long as there
fseems to be no limit to the peaceful
development Of the markets we already
have? Again they tell you cotton
MI r,tara that tho annaxatinn Of the