The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1903-01-21

t/OVnU0lCGLlOUS UlUSt OS ISSoAti
real name and address OF the writer II oroer "
receive attention.
No communication OF personal character
will be published except as an acVertlSeHen1'
Entered at the Postof1ce at Manning as Sec
ond Class matter
EDITOR GONZALES ASsAssIsATED.
The tragedy enacted in the
city of Columbia last Thursday
has become so well known
throughout the universe, it is
needless in this space to go into
the details. n. G. Gonzales ed
itor of The State was stricken
by a bullet fHeeH ffaseeHa pistol in the
Hands Of James H. Tillman
Lieutenant Governor Of South
Carolina. Mr.. Gonzales was un-
armed, Mr.. Tillman was armed
with two pistols, one a 80 cali
bre, the other, with which he
sought the life of his foe, was a
magazine of German make. Mr..
Gonzales had just left his office
and was on his way home to be
met at the door by his loving
wife, Mr.. Tillman had just left
the Senate chamber where he
presided, and where he swore he
would obey the law. There is a
1euo,, the Statl1te books against
carrying concealed weapons, and
it is a-sad commentary upon the
depravity Of man, to say that we
have in South Carolina a man
who is so far lost to honor, as to
have concealed beneath the robes
of the second highest Office, a
pistol, not one, but two. This
is bad, but far worse it is, for
that man sworn to obey the law,
to attempt murder, while he
must have known he was an no
danger of harm from the man he
hated. The evidence is, that
Mr.. Gonzales and Mr.. Tillman
had passed each several times
sincecth session opened, and il
this be true, it makes the con
duct Of Tillman, nothing short
of black-hearted cowardice, be-
-easse, in passing and re-passing
MrSsGanzales- without any sign
of collision, it completely threw
Mr.. Gonzeles off his guard, did
.he ever have a suspicion that
there might be trouble between
himself and Tillman on account
of the exposures made last sum-
mer. We are satisfied Tillman's
deed was premeditated; it was
not a case of sudden heat and
passion which would entitle him
to a recommendation Of mercy.
but a cold -blooded act with muir
der as it's intent, and purpose.
It is indeed a sad, sad specta-
Gle, one man, who, no matter
how much we may differ from
his views, there is none who will
say that he was not sincere, a
man whose individuality, through
the most adverse circumstances,
made himself a leader of thought
throughout this State anda pow
er in the United States; this
man whose career of usefulness
was just beginning to be fully
appreciated, with a future before
him worthy of the noblest am
bition, in a twinkling, to be
stricken down by an assassin's
blow. from an instrument in the
hands Of a man who was yet
clothed with a high commission
from the people, and who, by
his conduct has shown himself
unworthy of this commission.
This crime is especially sad,
because the man now languish-
ing in jail has brought disgrace
to the people Of his State who
have honored him, principally,
because of the name he bore,
which should have made him
careful of his manhood, and the
other, cold in death, whose clean
life and manly labors were fast
making him a guide for the
moulders of uplifting thought,
for progressive energy, and for
patriotic endeavor. Tillman an
example to be deplored, and dis
couraged; Gonzales an example
for encouragement and emula-
ton.
The writer has hadcontentions
and differences with Mr.. Coma
les, but through it all, he has al
ways regarded him with high
esteem, an admiration for his
magnificent ability, a sincere
respect for his determination,
pluck and sincerity of purpose,
and it has been his constant
prayer since the dastardly deed
was committed, that God in His
Infinite mercy and wisdom, would
spare this man of usefulness to
his family, his country, and to
his profession. It was decided
otherwise, and Monday at 1:10p.
m. he breathed his last, surround
ed by his loving family; yesver-
day he was laid to rest in Elm
wood cemetery. N. G. Gonzales
is dead, but in his career of 45
years he made an impress which
will live after him He fills an