The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-05
BEGINNING OF A NEW ERA.
Free silver and Free RiOts-McLaurin
Stands for Democracy - Tillman
Would Keep the Democratic Party
Under POpulistic Rule.

Brooklyn Eagle.
The designations OF John l.. McLaurin and
B. Il. Tillman, Senators from South Carolina,
are the sensational features OF tO-day's polltt-
cal news. The term given up by MIR. Nc
Iaurin will expire two years from now.
That relinquiShed by MIR. Tillman VIII expire
six years from now. Custom in South Caro-
lima leads TO the election OF Senators TWO
years In advance. Mr.. McLaurin was. there.
fore, engaged In a campaign for reelection,
into which MIR. Tilman intruded, with the
effect of drawing from MIR. McLaurin the
declaration that a mau, just re elected, could
safely, but hardly decently, oppose man
seeking reelection.
Thereupon, each man charged the other
with not daring 10 resign, and both resigned.
the people to re-elect him. The appeal In
South Carolina is 10 the party voters at pri'
mary. Whoever Ia preferred at the primary
IL elected by the Legislature. The work OF
the Legislature IL merely perfunctory. The
South Carolina method really involves An
election of Senators by as many OF the people
as take part In the primary. In South Caro-:
negroes being PRACTICALLY prevented. One can
see that this appeal OF two Senators previous
ly elected as Democrats, TO the people TO re-
elect them, signifies division within Demo
cracy, or two kinds Of Democracy, and marks
the beginning OF the end OF solidarity" In
the politics OF the Palmetto Slate.
The course OF each man In the Senate Illus
trates this division. Mr.. McLaurin voted for
the ratification of the treaty OF Paris. for
certain bills affecting colonial possessions. for
certain measures OF subsidy and OF intern al
which entered into Mr.. McKinley's policy
toward the South. Mr.. Tlllman voted against
them and at the same time magni1ed the re-
!ations of populism to Democracy and Nd; OF MT.
Mr.. McLaurln IL that he Ia Republican
masquerading as reorganization Democrat.
MIR. McLaurin's contention Is that Mr.. Till
man Ia Populist masquerading as Demo-
crat. MIR. McLaurin stands for what he
regards as to-day and tomorrow In all
politics, Democracy especially included. Mr..
Tillman stands for the perpetuation OF what
has heretofore made him an autocrat In
South Carolina and Democracy loser ip the
nation.
Ore can be more grateful that entrance to
argument and the beginning OF divisions
have been assured In South Carolina than
concerned with the merits OF the controversy
between these men. When division occurs
the whole South. When Bourbon solids are
lliouefed there free silver and free riot solids
should dissolve In Northern Democratic
organizations. Room for public discussion OF
az we'll as between them, should bs presented.
That Is the gain. The gain is great. Only
Republicans ho are 80 partisan as 10 desire
Democratic solidity, which Is stoltdity, which
is stupidity, will regret the light-givIng en-.
trance OF this division in Democracy. Demo-
Gratis OF breadth and patriotism, as well as
Republicans OF progress and liberalltS, Will
see reasons for hope In the fact.
The largest view OF the case is the only one
that concerns citizens of all the states. The
dramatic personal aspects OF 1t are interest
ing, They appeal to excitement and to specu-
lation. But they are not of strong or long
i'm portance. Not whether McLaurin beats"
Tulman or Tillman "beats" McLaurln mat
ters much beside the fact that Tillman and
TilrDanism, which Is Bryanism plus bar
barism. is opposed within Democracy In
South Carolina. and, therefore, will be oppos-
ed within Democracy elsewhere In the South.
The Immediate personal or political result 1s
insignificant com pared with the surety OF
persistent war within Democracy between
modernity and Bourbonism.
The war has been made possible by the
course of the Mckinley Administration In
letting the negro question alone. That is q
question which has made and Kept the South
isolid" It has held in 1t the threat, liability
or possibility of negro control In politics to
which white men nowhere submit, for rea.
SONS that need not be discussed, simply be
cause they must be accepted AZ inevitable,
un alterable and immutabie. Quite likely.
enough of the apprehension Of negro control
will remain TO give to Tillman victory"
over McLaurin al the outset, but not how the
struggle will result this year ia the thing.
The fact that the struggle Will last through
as many years as are necessary TO secure pro-
gress ana freedom In Southern politics is the
one to bring hope and JOY. On that account,
not the propositions OF McLaurin, but mis-
revolt, may be said to stir the North with
pleasure; not the propositions OF Tlllman
but the earnest challenge OF his long unchal.
lenged dominoncy may be regarded as cause
for satisfaction everywhere.