The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-03-27
INJUSTICE TO M'LAURIN.
His Opponents Refuse TO be Fair and
Insist Upon Being Unjust.
Manning Times

II Is opponents he1uSe 20 De rAir anu
Insist Upon Being Unjust.
Manning Times.
We placed little credence in the statement
that Senator McLaurin had requested his
name 10 be stricken from the Democratic
rolls, or that he had severed his atiillation
with the Democratic party, and as a conse-
Quence we asked our readers 10 walt until the
Senator could be heard from. We realize that
McIaurln is marked for slaughter and every
circumstance is enlarged upon and grossly
exaggerated to arouse prejudice against him;
not so much because the opposition has merit
in their charges, but for the reason that Nc.
Laurin's term is near it's end and his political
shoes are wanted. 1fthe politicians thought
there was any chance, they would have
tackled Tillman whose term had recently
even daring to question his being a protec-
ZIONIST or his reasons for advocating the pen
sionipg of deserters from the conlederacy.
The fact that McLaurin's time Is nearly out
has brought forward a whole raft OF aspirants
for the place, aud from now on we may ex-
pect to hear most anything which Is calcnlai-
cd IN do him injury with the people. With
chess board,-the report that be had request
ed bis name 10 be stricken from the rolls OF
the Democratic caucus, here Ia an authorlta.
tive statement from Senator McLaurin:
Washington, March Ex-senator McLaurin
of South Carolina. in view Of the reports that
have been published regarding his absence
from the caucuses OF the Democratic Senators
and the fQrt0er report tQal ue mas lOTIudlly
allied himself with the Republican party.
made this statement to The Sun tonight.
81 have not changed my party attilistlon.
and atill regard myself as q Democrat. For
the last week my wife has been in q hospital
undergoing a dangerous operation. and dur.
ing that time l have read no newspapers and
have transacted no business. Politics was
farthest from my thoughts. 1t was q surprise
to me today when ! learned that the state
mept had been published that had become
a Rebublican and that my name had been
stricken from the caucus list OF the Demo
cratic Senators. Some time ago had q frank
talk with Senator Jones. who had noticed my
absence from some OF the Democratic eau.
cuses. told him that my absence was cansed
bv my feeling that. 10 view OF tue radical
difference OF opinion on certain matters oil
national policy between me and the other
Democratic Senators. my presence In caucus
might be wrongly construed. II IN might gsn.a,e oe
OF the caucus to the detrment OF the party In
the Senate. More over. IL would have been
useless for me 10 attend and engage 10 any
wide difference Of opinion between me aud
the majority of the Democrats. / did not
know until today. however, that my name
had been taken off the caucus list and have
no knowledge OF It except from the news
papers.
tiops on leading questions. II some OF them
happen 10 coincide with those OF the Repuo-
lican party II doea not mean that affiliate
mvself with that party 1t means that con-
CT i've those convictions TO be right. ! am
willing to stand on whatever record have
made. and would not change one policy or
utterance for dozen seats In the Senate. ]
am willing to submit the issue to the people
OF my State at the primares.'
Notwithstanding this emphatic denial, the
newspapers opposing him are demanding his
resignation anyhow; even the. Columbia
State newspaper founded on Haskeism, is
-k,- AT.T0 ~tv -,
dsloyalty to the Democracy. The state"
does not want McLaurin to be permitted
voice In the primary, IL wants him drum med
out OF the party bag and baggage without
sdamantine cheek and unadulterated gall? /?
The Columbia State. which did all in its
power 10 smash the Democratic party. and Its
who appealed to the federal courts to bring
the negro into our politics, wants McLaurin
driven out of the party because, he would not
follow q majority OF his party associates on
with black stripe down Its back should not
have much influence with the Democratic
party OF this State.
McLaurin's independent course has
brought down upon him the opposition OF
majority OF the politicians and the news
papers. They are denounctng him without
rhyme or reason !; some Of the newspapers go
May convention to exclude him from the
primary. we have no idea that this will be
done. The white men OF this State may not
agree with a position taken by public man,
vet they would not consent to the suppress
sion of free speech, and If McLaurin becomes
q candidate for reelection the people will
demand that he be heard whether they agree
with him or not. The primary system In this
State, was inaugerated for the purpose Of per-
mitting any white man, who will take the
pledge to abide the result and support the
nominees. to 60 before the people TO discuss
issues, and II those who are 10 the majority
in the May convention prescribe what issues
may be discussed In order 20 make man
eligible to run In the primary, 1t Will destroy
the very principle of the primary system.
these extraordinary demands. with one
accord claim that McLaurin Ia politically
dead, yet at the same time their actio ls show
not make 80 much ado over him. McI.aurin
positively denies that he has deserted the
Democratic party. He claims. the questions
on which he differed with majority OF his
party associates, were not party questions,
that In the position taken by bim he was
prompted by u conscientious conviction that
he was acting for the best interests OF the
people, and further, 1t Ia bis purpose TO sub
tion TO the white voters OF this State In the
Democratic primaries land acquiesce In the
result. There is no disposition on the part OF
an Independent party. nor is he taking any
stock in this talk Of a white Republican
party; If we understand him, and we think
we DO, ne laS certain views OD uHIlOual Queo'
tions, which have not met With approval OF q
majority of the Democratic Senators, and
which have never been discussed before the
people of this State. and In order to know
whether or not q majority of the South Caro-
lima Democracy endorse his position he pro.
poses to 60 into the Democratic primary and
abide the result. If the white voters OF the
State, after hearing the arguments on both
sides, disapprove Of McLaurin's position
they will vote against him and that will end
the whole business, but do not permit by
sharp practice, methods 10 stifie free speech
or prevent the people from having an oppor
tunity TO hear both sides. If McLaurin IL
willing to trust the people, his opponents
should certainly be, and If they refuse TO lei
him 60 into the primary by adopting plat
foim repugnant 10 his views, and require as
qualification to enter the primary, pledge
endorsing that platform. il will he an &C
acknowledgement Of weakness on the part o
McLaurln's opponents, and 1t will have the
effect OF encouraging great fall of in the
vote at the primaries. Because. II the leaders
OF the Democratic party are going to be per
mitted TO say what white men shall run, anC
who shall not run in the primary, there viii
spring up a spirit OF resentment, and mum
bers will refuse to participate Ia such clos'
corporation; this feeling will grow and cul
inmate In the destruction OF the primary
system Of this State.
Nnr0o,a T.neaIa