The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1904-10-19
Wednesday, Oct. 10, 1904.
Let Us be Fair.

Inc most CT uel ana the most uncalleo ~
attack upon character that we recollect tt
have seen in many day was that of Dr. j
il. Stokes, as reported by the Iorkville En
quirer and as copied into the Charleston Post
against the character of Senator B. r. TIL
man.
Men who make or publish such charges
against character should be required 10 prove
their truth or TO suffer for such libelous pu5
lications as are maliciously defamato't OF
character.
We are not presumiag to defend Senator
Tillman fol. amy OF his sins, which are many
He is perfectly able to take care OF himself f.
or In case of failure to do SO, is willing to
take the consequences. What we protest
against Is the prostitution OF the columns OF
any newspaper in South Carolina for any
such purposes as the malicious defamation OF
character.
Ofcourse there Is no accounting for what
may be said by some pulpiteers who seem
not to be accountable to any body for any
statements which they might make, even il
they have. TO draw. upon their Imagination
for facts which are as baseless the fabric
ofa dream. But newspapers are expected to
follow more correct line OF conduct and must
be governed by higher principle than the
defamation Of character.
Senator Tillman is no doubt responsible
for some speeches in the campaigns which
were not elevating 10 his hearers. He may
have contributed his share of responsibility
for the habit OF lynchiDg which prevails In
South Carolina but We protest that he is moi
all-powerful. But he has exercised great In
huence over the Slate. That influence is
matter of record.
The tangible results of his work are to be
seen in various places, chiefly:
First-In ousting the old set Of officers for
a new set.
Second.-In establishing Winthrop College.
Third.-In the organ ization of Clemson
College.
Fourth.-In giving US the dlspensary law,
whereby prohibition was secured for at least
twelve hours In the twent ty four hours.
Flfth.-In permanently. placing In the Or
ganic law of the State provision which
forever eliminates the license system OF sell
ling liquor In South Carolina,
1t may have been treason 10 oust the OLD
set of officers.
1t may have been unjust and wrong to es-
tablish colleges for the youth OF the State.
It may have been wick ed In the Legi stature
under the influence OF Tillman, TO give us
prohibition for half of each twenty-fou: hours
with prohibition from Saturday sunset t.
Monday morning-thus saving the Sabbath
day free from desecration by the liquor deal.
ers, who may not have closed their back
doors on Sunday.
All these matters are right or wrong, as
seen from the view point.
Right or wrong, they are matters of record,
and are proper subjects IF criticism.
But honest and fair minded Christians
md men who are governed by the proper
instincts must condemn malicious accusa.
tons against character.
Whether Christian or profane, the gre al
public heart loves honesty of speech, and
regards fair play in action as the only true
guide.
DR.. Stokes. we think, would not lay his
hand on his heart, and say that he believes
OF Tilman all the wickedness of which th,
Yorkville Enquirer speaks.
Those who know Tillman best, whether
they like him or not, as far as we bave
heard, give him credit for being honest
Th ose who have most closely watched him
hands, and say that he is respected for the
honesty and the ability which gives him
great influence in the Senate.
The Press and Banner believes him hon lest,
and believes that charges against his integri.
ty are without foundation in fact.
We can Understand how a man may con.
sciertiously favor prohibition.
But we cannot und nderstand how consistent
prohibltionist can favor the abolition OF the
Twelve hours OF prohibition that we now
have.
We can understand the correct ness Of
prohibilionists seeking TO lead prohibitions
lists.
But we do not understand how a prohibi-
Zionist can quit his own fellows TO lead the
liquor element.
We credit DR.. Stokes with having at least
ordinary Intelligence and presume that he
has at least as much Information as the aver.
age Citizen.
This being true he must know that this
fight on the dispensary under the lead of
few prohibltionists is kept up by those who
would restore the bars.
DR.. Stokes must have heard that the liquor
dealers and their friends as individuals or as
associations have fought the dispensary in
every conceivable way. He must have heard
OF these reports which certainly have as much
foundation in tact as the old scandals which
he now uses against Tillman, but, which
have long since beendiscarded by the ward
politicians.
In fighting the dispensary does DR.. Stokes
do SO with the view OF helping the liquor
element to break down law which gives
prohibition for twelve hours out of every
twenty-four hours? Or, does be know SO
little as to believe that the liquor men want
prohibition
The persons and newspapers who are sup.
porting the fight against the dlspensary are
largely, II not quite entirely, of the license
element. Who ever heard OF city news
paper advocating prohibition-(except for a
little while Captain Dawson did so)-until
such support was given to the prohibitionists
In aid of the liauor association against the
dispensary.
If prohbitionists would command the
favorable opinion OF the thinking public,
they should be fair and just.
The slandering Of Tillman will make no
converts TO temperance, or 10 morality, or to
good conduct which would bring people to
the higher and the better standards of liv-
ing.