The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-26
NO QUIBBLING PLEASE,
To Deny McLaurin Hearing Would
be TyrOnnous and COwardly-TO
Impossible Conditions Not Less

Brave.
State Chairman Willie Jones declairs that
he is opposed to ruling Senator McLaurln
out OF the Democratic primary next summer.
Healso states that Senator Tillman is oppos-
ed 10 such a proceeding. Col. Jones saya,
however, that 'as 10 Lhe oath 10 be prescrib-
ed Tor Democratic candidates, mat IN mat
Ter Tor the convention Itself, but II they DO
not prescribe form then IL Will be the duty
or the next committee TO prekcribe the form
OF the oath. l am satisfied that no Demo-
crat will onjecJ to subscribe to An oath pre-
miriee paree U OF his his % own party" That depends.
The convention or the committee OF the par.
ty in South Carolina might make the candi-
dates oath declare full adherence 10 the
platform adopted by the convention ana the
platform might declare unequivocally for the
dlspensary law. Could Il Democrat who be-
lIeVed In prohl billion or one who favored hlgh
license and who purposed making ms cam
paign on such policy take the oath? or,
TAX ing IT, could he make his campaign on the
lin es he had laid down? If he could not take
the oath, according to Chairman Jones, ne
would be no use In his running since the H.
sue which seemed vital to MIN was not open
TO discussion. The position, II is readily seen,
is quite absurd. Yet II IL an exact coun!er.
the case OF Senator McLaurin, at which Col.
Jon ca Is hinling. That is TO say, the conVen'
tion or the com mmittee may require from can
ddates pledge OF a1idiDg S gfnrrn iaitn IN hetoIs e
their entry to the contest IL permitted. Sena-
tor McIaurin, like good many other Demo.
Gratis, has publicly declared ms dlsagreemienl ia,
form. 1t IL clear he can not take such an
oath az Is proposed. Therefore tho require
ment of 1t In a race which he wishes to enter,
being q most unusual proceeding. is dlstlnct
~ aimed at him. II Is direct effort 10 rule
him out. II Col. Jones and Senato% Tillman
re opposed 10 ruling Senator McLaurln out
OF the primary they will set their iaces reso,
q / la @l,n n1
down as miserable quibblers where right and
Justice are concerned.
AS 10 how Senator McLaurin can oppose
some plapks OF the Kansas City platform and
yet remain a Democrat II q easy 10 see. NO
party platform can be regarded as an 1mmut-
able declaration Of policy. This oeiIg 9 conced-
ed, Its constitution is always su bject TO argu'
put forth every four ears? Why not adopt
one for all time and save disputation? Ii we
are TO make new platforms each year lot lne
Democratic party, Ia II not wholesome tnal
Democrats should, In the intervening @ Time: e,
the view to take of q campaign like Senator
McLaurin is making. He Is making promo.
sitions for the new platform. II these con hict
with the old, that is no reason for casting him
out of the forum. His views may be rejected
but they must be considered. He may be de-
feated but his voice should be free. "Strike
but hear me-" said Themstocles TO the Graz
ed Athepans.
II is we'll known that McLaurin is opposed
to some planks of the Kansas City platform.
He has declared purpose to argue his oppo-
sition before Democrats, for them to endorse
or repudiate his Views. To deny MIN near
ing will BIZ tyrannouR and cowardly. TO I'm.
pose requirement which IL Is known he can
not undertake, while the same In result TO
direct prohibition TO his entrance, IL less
brave. 1t Is equivalent to compelling man
TO take his own life. In both cases the moral
responsibility rests with the compulsory force
Let Chairman Jones consider that. II may
affect him. Senator Tillman would only
waste time on it.--Charleston Post.