The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-06-04

Columbia. S. c., June 1.-Senator
Tillman has declined to withdraw his
resignation and charges that Governor
McSweeney transcended his authority
in sending the designations back to
the senators.
Senator Tillman mas written an
open letter which has not yet reached
the governor in which he says in part:
your excellency OF course has the
right, and it is entirely proper to re-
turn my resignation and advise more
serious consideration. In declining to
accept. I am sure you have transcend
ed your authority. 1t will take very
little investigation and reflection to
convince You of this. You cannot COM
peu member of the United States
senate to hold his commission and ex-
ercise the functions of that office if
. he chooses to surrender it. My action
in rendering my resignation, while
hasty. was not i'll advised and I am
firmly convinced of the wisdom of my
course, upon reflection.
Personally, l had nothing to gain
and everything to lose and 1 do not
feel the need of further instructions or
vindication, because / had just been
reelected by the people with practical
unanimfty. I offered to resign in order
to bring about the resignation of my
colleague and thus put us on a level,
with equal rights to go before the peo
pie and ask an endorsement Of our re-
spective courses. 1t is somewhat re-
markable that you should ask the SEN
ators who have resigned to take time
to consider, when you yourself are re-
ported to be ready to appoint two sem
ators in two minutes and a half after
receiving an immediate resignation
Your conception of the office of SEN
ator and it's powers can be best lnder-
stood by the ease with which You think
that an immediate resignation was
not sent you. You declare that the
people are entitled to one year Of
peace and freedom from political bat
ties and bitterness. I am ready to ac-
knowledge that this is very desirable,
but our race has ever thought war pre-
ferable to dishonor and unless I am
very much deceived, large majority
of the people of South Carolina would
be glad of an opportunity to have those
principles and policies which they sup
port loyalty represented in the congress
of the United States.
II am aware that there is some
strong oppocition in oertain o,,ortars
! to a campaign in this off year to fill
two vacancies in the senate. Many un-
thinking citizens do not know it's i'm
portaf1ce. Many who would be aspir-
ants are not just ready, for various
reasons. to enter the contest brought
on so Unexpectedly; it is not conven-
lent or suitable, and, therefore. they
have. no doubt, importuned your ex-
cellency to await their convenience.
claiming that it is for the public well
fare.
"On the other hand it might be re-
marked that the session Of congress be-
Winning next December marks an era
IN the history of our republic, and the
patriots who will then inaugurate a
landmarks anu the preservation Of oul
free institutions will need every voice
and every vote that can be had. The
fact that the republicans have good
majority in the senate does not alte,
the case in the least. The recent de-
cision Of the supreme court promul
eating the damnable doctrine that thi!
republic whose bedrock principle fs th'
consent Of the governed can acquire
by conquest or purchase territories and
peoples to be controlled and taxed with
out representation, through 'congres
sional absolutism' must be met and ex
posed, and plans must be laid for {
:. battle to the death by the lovers O
democracy and liberty. against thii
heresy.
st claim to represent the people ant
to voice their wishes. The result OF tn
Gaffney meeting had brought Senato
NcLaurin within reach Of his constit
and it was to obtain this an
swer at once that prompted by conduc
at Gaffney. Your excellency's actor
gives him a ioophole and the censur
or blame must rest where it belongs.