Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1905-08-23
SENATOR TlLLmAs REPLIES TO cRomsa.
While People are Fighting the Dlspenary He
Says Leaders are Fighting Him.

HOho"ipS 10 Ine Tepiy vi SenatOl
b. II. Tillman to the "open letter" OF
DIR. Geo. b. Cromer, former presi-
dent of Newberry College and now
mayor of Newberry, which is pub.
lished in another column of this
issue of The Courier:
Hon. Geo. b. Cromer-My Dea,
Sir: AS your "open letter" appeared
in the Sunday News and Courier and
in to-day's Columbia State, l pre-
sumo you expect an answer through
- same medium.
VI desire, in the beginning, to ex-
press my appreciation. of your kindly
and complimentary illusions to my.
self. value them more highly be-
cause in the past you have not been
my political friend.
have read your letter carefully
and bave endeavored to Judge your
arguments and weigh the points you
present as "sanely" as may be. 1t is
not always possible for men to agree
even though both are actuated by
the highest and purest motives, and
it is, therefore, natural that you
should misjudge me in some things
and disagree with me in others.
Now about the appeal to factional-
ism: deny absolutely that l have
made such an appeal or intend to
make such an appeal. and in justifica-
tiOn of the truthfulness of this state.
Rent let me remind you of what
hid at Edgefield. To quote: 81 do
not wish to revive tactic alism and
am sorry to be compelled ohave the
appearance of doing 80. l am aware
that many of the strongest support
ers of the dispensary now are men
who were and are yet probably Con-
servatives, while some of it's most
bitter Antagonists are former Re-
formers. 1t, therefore, cannot be
charged that l am endeavoring to
draw the old lines which rent the
State in twain" Again: 81 want
this matter settled entirely apart
from my personal and political for
tunes. 1t is much greater question
for the people of South Carolina as
to how they shall wisely and best
govern the sale of liquor than as to
whether | or some one else repre-
sents them in the Senate. l know
there are many men who will vote for
me regardless of their former politi-
cal affiliations and of their present
attitude on this question, and it is
probable that there will be many
who will be aggrieved at my activity
in dealing with the question"
When public man is viciously
attacked with slander and abuse and
there is every indication of pur-
pose to press that attack in the next
Democratic primary with view to
his overthrow, it seems to me it is
perfectly legitimate for him to give
notice TO his friends and his enemies
alike of what is going on and let all
hands understand that he is prepared
to fight. This il all / have done and
saa1er from expecting to make plea
to the RefOrmers, as you charge to
be my purpose "by implication" 1
have expr, ssly said that the old lines
could not be drawn and l want tile
issue settled entirely apart from my
personal and political fortunes.
When / wrote my letter to Mr..
Higgins / merely alluded to the
"true inwardness of this movement"
which l then realized was being en-
gineered by my inveterate political
AkAmies.
sBR ou seem to be aggrieved be-
cause IIhave shifted position from
the "same and judicial attitude of
the Higgins letter" and now take the
ground that the movement is politi-
cal and a covert attack upon me.
Your assertion is too sweeping, my
dear doctor. The "movement"
against the dispensary among the
people arises from the dissatisfaction