The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-12-05
TtIlman in Chicago.

Senator Tillman made his speech as he had
planned to do In Chicago despite the threats
that were made against him. He showed
himself to be a brave. fearless and determin-
ed man. For all this we applaud him, and
the only ay In the ointment was his inexcus-
able cut at President Roosevelt's action With
reference to the Brownsville negro soldiers.
Tiliman had made no Investigation Of this
affair and knew no more about II than the
New York negro preachers. who forth with
cut Roosevelt's acquaintance for bis action.
Senator Tillman and the New York negroes
are In the same boat.
It Is not likely that the President would
have acted as he did without giving the ques-
tion some serious consideration. There Ia no
question OF doubt but that the President had
the right to act as he did. Being the head
of the armies OF the United States would not
only give him the right, but would make 1t
his duty to act.
General Nettleson who is a former Assist
ant Secretary Of the Treasury. was asked to
make an investigation of the Brownsville az
fair. This he did, thoroughly and Impartial
ly, and here is his report to the Secretary OF
War:
A q citizen OF illinois, as anti-slavery ad-
yocate when that phrase had a meaning, and
as q lifelong republican who served IN tne
union army throughout the civil war, shall
at least not be suspected OF prejudice sgalns'
men OF color. as such.
SIN view OF the facts as I find them here.
the present attempt on the part OF some 10
make martyrs Of any portion OF the dlscharg.
s sa %sI s0a TSe SoE SsP 2 OF SILENCE
on the part OF all member OF the battalion
RTsyrsnts .ne g SHSIp %ent Z tTo@ @F pc %fnn,EN t4s
AND MURDER, and the dismissal OF al
alike from the service which they have dis
graced is perfectly. just. 1 believe DO otner
course than that which. the president has pur.
sned is open TO him, unless every American
community, north and south alike, ts TO be
given cause 10 dread the proximity OF the ne
gro battalion, az IT would mean an encamp-
ment of armed and uniformed assassins."
It would seem that this report from an up-
biased, disinterested man would be enough TO
satisfy the most Of as. but not so with Till
man. He charges the President with exceed
i ing the limit OF his authority. The Senator
Just couldn't let this little opportunity OF
jabbing Roosevelt with his pitchfork pass
without taking advantage of 1t. Who be-
lieves that Tillman would have had that
Brownsville affair settled In any other way
than the way in which 1t was settled? Echo
answers. Who?
Tilman Is q great man, but he would be q
greater II he would only let up on his 'knock
down and "drag out' policy and cultivate a
kindlier spirit toward the powers that be. A
man in Tlllman's place should watch bis
~prejudices with the eye Of a blue darter. He
is sent to Washington to represent our State,
to get all the appropriations that are coming
our way, and more. II possible. The proper
way to do this Is not to begin by sntagoniz-
ing the balance Of power. Why the kinkliest
.shaud ont" in the country wouldn't give a
pumpkin yam potato peel to a"Weary VIII
lie" who asks for things like Tillman does
Let 1t be admitted that he does get things for
our State. Would be not get much more II
he went at 1t In a different way?