Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-01-21
TilImanism in South Carolina.

represent turiicI the Nu6di ico VI Aeo
politics. The visitor who is privileged
to meet and enjoy the hospitality OF
the best people of Charleston, or any
leading community in that state, will
find himself wondering, how with their
culture and refinement, their Inherent
courtesy, they can reconcile themselves
to being represented by men of the
Tillman stripe in the high offices OF
United States senator and lieutenant
governor. 1t will not take him long to
discover that the educated people of
the South, who are disposed to be very
frank and outspoken in their express
sion of opinion, feel keenly the oppro-
brium of such representation. 1t is
not easy for people in the North, unless
| they have had opportunities to see and
study the situation at first hand, to
appreciate the conditions existing in
the old South. This is specially true
of the people of New England, where
the general standard of intelligence is
higher than in any other section of
| the country. In the State of Maine
| only 1882 of those of school age are
unable to read and write. In South
Carolina nearly 100000 are unable to
read and write.
AS result of the institution of slav-
cry there grew up in the south an arts
| tocratic society which dominated it's
political life, with much the same AFRO
gance and assurance that it did it's So
cial affairs. This element included a
large proportion of the educated lead
ers of that section. They had about
| the same consideration for the poor
| Their sway became at length intoler-
able to the masses of the people in
South Carolina, and on the crest of the
political revolution that stripped them
of their power the Tillmans came into
| political prominence and Importance.
| They were men who were strong in
those qualities of rough and ready
leadership, that appealed to the ne
groes, crackers, and political malcon-
to victory in the affairs of their state.
Undoubtedly the ADLER of the two is the
United States senator or, as he is COM
monty called "Pitchfork Ben Tillman.
He is fearless, aggressive and indus
trious; but has paid scant attention to
the traditions of the high office he
occupies. Some months ago he en-
gagged in an exchange of fisticuffs with
his colleague, Mr.. McLaurin, on the
dent Roosevelt felt obliged to recall
AN invitation which had been extended
to the senior South Carolina senator
to attend a dinner at the White House.
1t was right there that Lieutenant
Governor Tillman, nephew of the
senator, improved the opportunity to
secure a little cheap notoriety; by re-
calling an invitation that had been ex-
tended the President to visit South
Carolina In this, however, he failed
to appreciate the inherent courtesy and
hospitality of the people of his state.
They were very prompt to repudiate
his action. President Roosevelt made
his visit, and was received with char
acteristic Southern warmth and en-
thusiasm The incident, however, and
the events leading up to it, served to
give the public a pretty definite idea
of the Tillmans, especially Jim who
est office III the gift of South Carolina.
When. therefore, the news came that
he had shot down in cold blood an I'M
armed man, not only violating in the
most fragrant degree the law he had
sworn to sustain, but doing it in a most
cowardly manner; it was not so much
of surprise as it might otherwise
have been. For the good name of
South Carolina it is to be hoped that
this foul deed may call forth the pun
ishment it so richly deserves.
The episode may not be without it's
ultimate good, if it shall result in the
retirement of the Tillmans. At the
same time their sway has probably had
a Christening effect upon the old aris-
tocracy of South Carolina. 1t has been
a sharp and humiliating rebuke to
their arrogance and snobbery-des-
picable anywhere and at all times-and
has probably enlarged their concep
ton of the broad democratic spirit I'M
DERIVING our American institutions.
With the passing of Tillmanism it is
to be hoped, that the manhood, and the
| intelligence of South Carolina may
| dominate its affairs, to the credit of