The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1902-03-19
LAURENS, s. c., Mar. 10. 1909.
Ths Trouble Over Reciprocity.

tinct conferences on the Cuban Reel
procity bill have brought about no def
mite results. This division in the
ranks of the majority-and the con-
tending forces seem to be irreconcila-
BILE on this Tariff question-affords the
leaders much anxious worry. They
know that this family row must be
settled or there will be serious objec-
lions raised at the polls this fall. They
are very well aware, too, that the late
President Mckinley favored the meas
ure and that President Roosevelt is q
supporter OF it, and not to carry out
their avowed policy means trouble.
But the Infant industries" must be
looked after, and besides, their whole
doctrine of "Protection" conflicts with
the bill. However they seem to attach
more Importance to this 'eplit" than
it is entitled to There is always a way
out of the hole somehow, and even il
they do not come together, they should
not fear the Democratic party until it
becomes more solidly aligned. That
old motto Omitted we stand, devided
we fall" is a very good one sometimes,
but in this instance they must have
forgotten that ther" Ia n certain w. j.
Bryan, representing a certain faction;
that there is a certain Dave Hill stand
ing for something else, and that the
Hon. Grover Cleveland is not exactly
dead. Then your Uncle Adlai Steven
son is MOI a back number. However
much they may worry over the Reel
procity measure they are very likely
to do at least 20 per cent of their plain
duty, and even if they fail in that, the
Democratic party, we are sorry to say,
Is not yet in a position to secure certain
victory. Free trade relations with
Cuba would probably help the South,
and we do not believe it would injure
any of the monied interests of the
North. Now that little trouble in the
Philippines, which they have been
telling us for W o or three years would
soon be over, is a more serious matter
than this Reciprocity business, and
one more likely to react against them.
1t is strikingly similar to Banquo's
Ghost-it won't down. Those confer
ences are sufficiently amusing anyway,
and 1T is not reported that Teddy is
losing any sleep over them.
***
The var against the Beers still goes
on. 1t reminds US of that seven years
wal Britain waged against the thir-
teen united colonies, which resulted in
the establishment of this mighty ma
ton, and In this war the same inglorious
results to British arms seem probable.
Lately these God-fearing psslm-sing-
ing, devoted Burghers captured Me-
theun, a British officer, and because he
was seriously wounded, magnanimous-
ly and graciously released him to be
cared for by his W men. Nothing
the British have done equals this for
Its humaneness or magnanimity. And
strange to say, our great Government
refuses to ask the British authorities
permission to allow private parties to
send supplies to suffering humanity in
South Africa. On the face Of it, pri-
vate parties are allowed to sell mules
to the British army officials for use In
this very war. 1t Is possible that the
greed for gold-the chase for the al
mighty dollar-has so everlastingly
taken hold of us that all our altruistic
sentiments, humanitarian sympathies
been crushed in the ceaseless mill
OF monopolistic corporations, trusts,
etc., that we cannot awaken to the
needs of the suffering and oppressed?
Rome, Greece, Carthage and Spain
fell, and the United States, we ask
quo rad52
~
Carrie Nation has subsidies; the
Schley-Sampson controversy is settled;
the Grown Prince has gone back home;
the excitement over the fsticuff in the
United States Senate has quieted down;
Nephew Jim hasn't had anything to
say lately; Mrs. stone has been releas.
ed by the ~Brigands; and we can breath
alittle easier. However, the Charles
ton Exposition, the best ever held
South of Mason and Dixon's line, still
attracts attention as it deserves to.
The goth inst Carolina day will bring
thousands of u people together in
rhetoric old Charleston, and they q
learn from, as we'll as marvel, at the
South's wonderful industrial expansion.
Every man, woman and child in Lau-
rens county should take in the EXPO.
sition and Charleston.
***
The political caldron throughout the
State, and the county as well, is begin
ming to simmer. The candidates are
already numerous for each and every
Office, and by the time the campaign
opens up, they will be as thick as the
stars. 1t is hoped the best men will
be elected to office. This State needs
to be rid of the two-by.four politician
and fiery %tounged designing demo-
gogue. When strong, clean, honest,
broadminded men, men Of force and
character, are placed in the high Offices
OF dignity and trust, we will have
peace and harmony, and can work out
our industrial destiny with greater
confidence and ease.