Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1904-09-13
attistelIanfoas 8eaaine.
as CHARGE WELL FoUNDEDw
Dr.. Stokes Elaborates His Recent Ref.
erence to Tillman.

erence to IIllman.
News and Courier, Monday.
This, Mr.. Editor, is your head line
question covering an editorial from
THE YoRKvILLE ENQUIRER in a recent
issue Of your paper. My concern with
that Is that it takes as it's text: "Dr.
]. L. Stokes's arraignment Of B. R.
Tillman as one Of the causes of the
prevailing disregard for law and or
DER" and further that, as / under
stand 1t, It Is this assertion Of mine
which Is called In question.
I feel sure, therefore, that you Will
allow me to enlarge" little. The
ENQUIRIES editorial appeared in an
issue that also contained synopsis
Of sermon I had preached the Sum
day evening before at the regular un-
ion service, ofGthe different denomina-
tions of our town.
1t was delivered by request on the
subject Of "LawleSSneSS," and as well
from the fact Of that invitation. as
from the strong endorsement given 1t
afterwards. may be taken as represen-
tative of the sentiment of our commu-
nifty.
The reference to Senator Tillman
was but incidental and by no means
"a railing accusation"
This. however. is not to break the
force of the charge I then and there
made. 1t was and is my conviction.
It was endorsed by THE ENQUIRER
and, to a great extent at least, by the
community.
But is the charge we'll founded?"
That is the important matter and II
you will allow me 1 will give my rea-
sons for thinking it true.
/. hold Senator Tillman to strict
responsibility for the dispensary and
all that it entails. I consider drinking
as responsible for by far the greater
portion of the crimes: and this drink
ing Is Just as harmful If done through
the dispensary as through any other
agency. Disguise 1t as we may the
dispensary is liquor shop, where the
sale of liquor Is not so much re
stricted" as vigorously pushed.
But this is not all. the dispensary
is responsible for lawlessness In a pc
culiar sense. 1t has been deliberate
attempt to put "evil for good" and
darkness for light" 1t has framed
mischief by statute" and such moral
Juggling can never be done without at
once once bunting the moral perceptions
Of the people and looscning the social
bonds that make all community life
rosSible.
For the injection Of this insldious
poison into our body polite l hold
Senator Tillman responsible.
2. Again 1t Is well known that Sena-
tor Tillnan has, at the very least, put
himself in - false position on the ne
gro problem and tied his own hands in
any effort to deal with 1t in the inter-
est of law and order. He has boasteh
of his part in the Ellenton riots: ne
has said he would himself lead a
~
stances: he has misrepresented the
attitude of the better element Of our
people on this question on many a
stump in the north and west comnli-
eating the problem and adding to the
already heavy task Of its solution.
This Is sufficient on that point per-
hans. But pardon a word or two
more. called out by the peculiar cir
cumstances in which we are placed.
You have read Of course. Senator TILL
mans picturesque Characterization of
the "Brice bill' as attempted "assassi-
nation" of the dispensary: you also
know full we'll that a majority of
those nominated for the next legiSla-
ture are in favor Of the Price bill"
But will 1t pass? That is the ques-
tion. BIT who would call II n nues-
ton at all If this gigantic and baleful
| influence in our politics were once for
all eliminated? Which brings us to
| saw that II has come to that pass that
we cannot amend the dispensary law
without amending Benjamin Ryan
| Tillman: and 7 move in this forum Of
high debate that in language he will
appreciate. he henceforth tote his
own skillet"
otherwise. though this warning he
may not appreciate. It will he all the
worse for him when the great moral
institution" goes to the wall. Sena-
tor Tillman is an adroit politician.
He has learned by his own showing
before now when he put up the wrong
man." and left him in the lurch. May
he learn as we'll when he puts up the
wrong measure. and act accordingly.
| J. LEMACKs STOKES.
Yorllville. September 6.