The Sunday globe., 1901-05-12
Not Greater Than the Party.


of taking human life
Not Greater Than the Party.
Senator McLaurin, of South Carolina,
voted and acted with the Republican
majority of the U. S. Senate on every
imperialistic measure put through, in
Guiding the kingly powers invested in
the President. Senator McLaurin was
sent to the Senate to vote and voice
Democratic principles and measures,
and to oppose by vote and voice the Re-
publican Imperialistic program. This
being the exact situation as to his politi-
cal record in the Senate of the United
States, the question arises, will the
Stale of South Carolina continue him
as its senatorial representative and
thereby indorse the very principles to
which its citizens and the Democracy
of the Nation are opposed?
1t has been reported, as coming from
Mr.. McLaurin, that he would resign if
the Den OcTacy of the State requested
it or if his course i'm the Senate met the
disapproval of his constituents. 1t is,
therefore, up to his constituents and
the State of South Carolina. There is
no question as to the Senator's " flop"
to the Marcus A. Hanna Imperialistic
cOterie, and that he is no longer Demo-
crat is even evident to himself. His
spasmOdic attempt to create diversion
in the business element of his State and
found the nucleus of bastard Demo-
cratic party which would act as tail to
the Hanna Mckinley imperlalistic kite
has signally failed, and the enthusiasm
with which he predicted the announce
ment of such proposition would be
received by the progressive and man
ufacturing element of the South Is
nowhere manifest. In fact, it does not
exist; on the contrary there is a soli-
tude of silenceas profound as that COM
planned Of by Alexander Selkirk n the
Island, Juan Fernandez
go, solitude, where are the charms
Which sages have seen in thy face,
Better dwell in the midst Of alarms
Than reign in this horrible place"
The late Mr.. Selkirk in this poetic
complaint accurately describes the pres
ent isolation of Mr.. McLaurn.
Nevertheless, his resignation is not
forthcoming, and there is a suspicion
not confined alone to his colleague,
Senator Tillman, that Mr.. McLaurin
does not intend to resign, but proposes
to hold down his seat as a renegade
Democratic Senator from South Caro-
lima.
There is nothing left for Mr.. Nc
Laurin's Democratic colleagues to do in
their relations with him when the SEN
ate re-convenes. He belongs on the
Republican side of the chamber, and if
recognition is extended him it must be
Of the nature and bearing shown to-
ward the party's representatives to
which he now belongs In other words,
acting with the enemy he must be re-
garded as such, and to Leither Demo.
cratic caucus nor conference should his
person be summoned The advice and
counsel of traitors add nothing to the
effectiveness, wisdom and action of an
incorruptible, honest and straightfor-
ward policy; hence the absence of Mr..
McLaurin from Democratic councils
will be not only more valuable than his
presence, but much more beneficial to
the party and its representatives in the
Senate, in the convention and else
where.
Mr.. McLaurin has read himself out
Of the Democratic party as a safe and
trusted leader, at least, and if repent
ance should at any time prompt his re-
turn he must like all who have been
tried and found wanting begin h pen
ance 10y soldering in the ranks. He
has clearly demonstrated his unfitness
for leadership, and an intelligent Demo-
cracy either North or South will never
follow a leader who finds the policy Of
the opposition the safest and surest for
the settlement Of great questions affect
ing the fundamental principles Of free
Government.
Senator McLaurin's change of con-
yictiOns become honest and are legiti-
matized when he ceases from represent
ing a betrayed constituency who hold
the opposite opinions on the questions
at issue between the two great parties.
Senator LcLaurin is not greater than
the Democratic party, and the one or
the other is wrong necessarily. From
Mr. McLaurin's point of view the party
is wrong; hence he should as an hon
Orable man, sever his connection with
it and resign as Democratic U. S.
Senator. This is logic Mr.. McLaurin
cannot hide with sophistry. Either he
must resign or the party must change
its principles. Which shall it be2
There was no umbilical cord attach
ment between the Census Department
and the Democratic majority in the
ATor,,IanI H,uaa Of nalaOotaa II ,,yoe
simply case of extraordinary colnci-
dent There are many such cases in
the books.
II the "Jingo" colored orator in his