The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-12
JOHN TEMPLE GRAVES.
Admires the Rugged Old POpuiist
Lion Who Rules the Palmetto State
Has No Use for McIaurin But BE.
lteyes His Doctrine Will Prevail.

lieveS His Doctrine Will freVSli.
II Is perhaps a little TOO early to laugh Nc
Laurin, OF South Carolina 10 scorn.
The caricatures that picture him as beaten
and desparing may be as premature as they
are presently popular.
From another point of view the South Car
olipa senator has played his cards with consul
mate skill and is yet 10 be reckoned with In
the real crisis of the game.
1 do not admire Senator McLaurln.
Neither bis personality nor his record appeal
TO my respect. and do admire the rugged ola
populist lion who rules The Palmetto state.
But neither likes nor dlslikes should pima
the public commentator to facts as they exist,
aud the man who writes for accuracy rather
mans colleague Is in much better position
than he was week ago.
To my mind he has accomplished all that
be set out TO do, and has done IL most effec.
lively. advertising his official station at the
same time.
Senator McLaurin has projected clearly,
definitely and with dramatic effect upon the
public opin ION OF South Carolina the issues
which are inevitably bound TO divide the
No combination of circumstances could
have concentrated the South Carolina pin
so intensely upon these questions as the
stirring events Of the past fortnigh The IT,
sue is raised, clear and startling. IL Is there
10 stay, TO rankle, to revolve, TO grow, until
II ia settled at the ballot box.
This is as ii should be. That Is the mean
Ing OF the ballot-the mission OF popular gov
ernment.
Now whether by good fortune or by shrewd
manipulation McLaurin has accomplished
this without losing his position. and In 80 do
ing he has emerged from the shadows OF un.
certainty that enVelop-d him and emerged
in 10 the dignity and repute OF an accredited
leader of a very interesting and vitality lm-
portant movement.
II would perhaps have been disastrous and
certainly unfortunate for the junior senator
10 have put the fortunes OF his propaganda
in crisis at this time-so soon after Its stale
meut and with only q brief and hurried CAM
paign OF discussion TO impress his views upon
the people. Delay is Of golden value TO him.
Time Is the factor OF advantage. The sixteen
months between these issues and ballot box
may change the political complexion ofSouth
Carolina.
portance of McLaurrn's political views, nor
ihe dignity ana influence OF the interests
which support him. He IL distinctly the lead
er of an increasing, intelligent and resolutely
growing sentiment In the state.
1t must not be forgotten that South Caro-
lima leads all the southern states in tue pro.
portionate advancement 1t has made in
manufactures and,iin agricultural develope-
ment. The "Hotspur of Secession" the
Harry Percy OF the Union." has become the
Industrial Massach usetts ofthe south. There
IL no southern state 10 which the new order
Of economic and of com mercIal policy finds a
stronger and more practical endorsement
than among the manufacturers and produc.
.rS of the State OF ohm Z. Calhoun.
The same drift OF Interest that IL loosening
the loyalty Of the east to the Baal of PrJtec-
tion, Is stirring among the Industrial forces OF
the south a rebellion against the policies Of
negation aud sentiment that have weakened
the Democratic party.
The age is commercial. The dollar Is dom
inaut, and the trade winds are getting ready
toIblow the ballots In storm tow ards politi-
cal organization which stands for the real
material developement OF these gulf ami
southeastern states.
1t may be delayed, and the battle Of the
practical and the prejudical may be fierce,
but IL is sure TO come, and out OF 1t there will
be, in some shape, new birth OF politics In
all this war-wasted, and Impoverished, but
marvelousy resourcelul southern country.
In this view Of the case McLaurin, of South
Carolina, has at least done well, III precipitat-
ing this conflict within the ranks OF the Dem
ocratic party, instead OF Joining forces wi h
The organization where name and history
have so long been an lagonistic 10 southern
minds. 1t Is better that the first battle
should be fought inside the party lines. II
nc ocepted, aud the party OF the people will fall
into line behind the new and progressive
Ideas of q totally changed and altered era.
If SO, all will be we'll.
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 aud restraining each
other, appealing to an intelligent eufferage
for support OIL reasonable lines, and develop.
ing the independent thought of the young
south in an open forum of divided opin
ion.
There are greater misfortune which could
The ideas for which Mcr aurln are militant
and enduring. Whether they involve the
wtsest and soundest policies OF the south,
time will determine.
But that they represent the Intelligent an d
determined convictions OF a vast number OF
citizens and voters Of the south cannot be
gainSAid. That these men will cleave 10 these
opinions Is not 10 be doubted.
What these men want is not to join Repub.
liChn party to secure the adoption OF their
views, but TO reasonably and honestly per-
suade the Democratic party 10 open It's eyes
to the changed conditions Of the time, and to
plant Itself upon principles aud policies that
conserve the material Interests OF the people.
The negro Is practically dlsfranchised in
| nearly every southern state. The shadow OF
black supremacy no longer intimidates free
thought In Dixie.
Ii Democracy falls In line with the spirit OF
these larger times it will continue to win
| If not, some other party will win the suffrages
of these southern states because 1t will desdve
their support.
! This III the logic Of the situation.
No scurry politician, without in tegrIty, and
merely scheming for personal advantage,
| will be needed to lead this progr essive move
ment. For strong men OF high repute are
plentiful and capable In the ranks Of those
| who follow H..
With year and half to walt, with abun.
dance OF ammunition, commercial spirit
progressive era and a slate thrilling with re-
sources and the ambition for development
behind him, McLaurin may be pictured two
years from now in different colOrS from the
cartoons that serve the hour at this time.
And 30 South:Carolina may lead new Sec
eSsinm.
May the best man and the best policy win.
q