The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1902-03-26
c. NJ. DAVIS.

Why Hon. C. Nj. Davis should think
we intended the article he speaks OF, as
probably being intended for him we
fail to see, because if our memory
serves US correctly Mr.. Davis has here
tofore made known to US that under no
circumstances will he be candidate
for office within the peoples gift. We
therefore say, that his suspicious OF
our intentions are not we'll founded:
MIR. Davis name was mentioned N
our article, because We regarded the
matter a news item: had any other
name been st the head OF the petition
we should have mentioned it. Tie
mentioning OF Mr.. Davis name as be-
ing at the head of the petition was a
fact. We do not class men OF the G..
NJ. Davis order as ''fawning and time
serving politicians" because such men
are not in politics for livelihood. Per-
sonallv we have very high regard for
Mr.. Davis. and we would be the last
man in the world to purposely give him
otfense. So far as the petition IS con-
cerned, it is matter of Indifference to
US: If Senator Tillman comes here, we
expect to reply to any illusions he may
make to US, and if those who have petit
toned want all the light possible
turned on" they will see to it that the
Senator will explain what became OF
the rebates on whiskey purchases dur
ing his administration. They will also
decline to be satisfied with abusive de-
nials. and when our turn comes to be
heard. they will see to it that we be
given an impartial hearing. We think
it perfectly right that he come il it IS
his desire, and if he can convince Us
that the written evidence which we
hold is false, we will publicly rejoice.
The petition was presented to US by
Mr.. Sports, we declined to sign it for
several reason, among them, we did not
care, under the circumstances, to be a
party to an invitation to entertain g
guest, and then possibly, when he
comes, perform the unpleasant duty OF
impeaching his character.
Were we ''fawning and time serv-
ing politician" our sense OF the main
chance would have forbidden the pub
lie positions we have taken. A ''fawning
and time serving politician, would
never run counter the wishes of a man
of Tillman's popularity. We realize
the difficulties, in the way of coming in
contact with the peoples idol. and it
takes moral courage to doso. We would
rather sink into political oblivion. eX-
pressing our honest convictions, than
to be glorifed in the cloak of hypo-
jcrite. We have duty to perform as a
newspaper writer, and that duty is to
TELL IT as we BELIEVE 1T, and
when written evidence was placed into
our hands we indicted Benjamin r.
Tillman with as little fear of the con-
sequences as if he were the most hum
BILE character in the State.
Is Tillman immaculate? Is he King,
ruling over trembling subjects? Or is
he a man, made up of the same mater
: ial as other men. We know of no law
which prevents US from criticizing a
public officials record, and this we
have done, as we conceived it to be our
duty to do.
When Senator Tillman comes to Man
ming, we hope he will be given a most
respective hearing, and that his friends
and our friends will come determined
to hear his defense upon its merits, and
our reply upon its merits. We promise
; that while we will not be able to dis
. play the gifts of an orator as perhaps
IMllman will, but what we lack in elo
ouence and oratory, will be made up
: with argument, reasoning and truth.
EDITOR TINES