Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1906-08-07
Miseellaueuus Aeadin9.
CIvITAS Is MAD.
UnsratsfuI People Wont Treat Noble
Ben Riaht.

cIvlTAs Is MAD.
UnsratsfuI People Wont Treat Noble
Ben Right.
Editor Yorkville Enquirer:
Mr.. Editor, I'm mad as fire." I tell
you. Somebody will have to hold me
II this thing goes on. It is just little
too much, when we had got old Ben
rigged up as a statesman, wearing the
veritable mantle Of Calhoun (of which
with a few cores and added lengths
to fit the larger figure); when there
was none so poor Cor rlch) in South
Carolina as (not) to do him reverence"
when he had grown" and grown"
until Washington couldn't hold him;
now. at this psychological moment"
to have base men seek to tear the
laurels from his brow!
To think that the time would even
come when old Ben's noble generosity
to Hubbell should be misconstrued
and used against him. Mr.. Editor, I
f1attered myself that you and I had
so fully explained this matter that
even the State would not have pre-
sumed to say a word further. We
showed that in that long ago Of 1893,
the old Palmetto state was at her last
gasp financially. The "frilled patri-
clans" had done for her. Even two
years Of Gov. Tillman's rigid economy
and wholesale reduction Of salaries
had not availed. Only the dispensary
could save her; but how could she
even get on her feet and make the ven
ture? Twas the immortal Hubbell that
then stood shoulder to shoulder with
our own old Ben In the breach. Should
not our noble governor be grateful?
Sir, 1t Is one Of the most touching
(unwritten) passages Of history how
that strong man wept, and folded
Hubbell In his arms, and pressed the
little matter of rebates (some thou
sands-what II 1t had been millionsO
upon this co-saviour Of South Caro-
lima. That's the whole Of 1t; and
shame on him who raises the ques-
ton again.
And then there is that Chicco fan
incident 1t Is Infamous the way
those editors devised that insult to
old Ben's senatorial dignity. But
they overreached themselves; they
are "hoist with their own petard;"
they have made a literary blunder; 1t
is not Chicco who ought to have been
upon the fan, but Hubbell. All! that
would have been something like-the
noble pair of brothers! Then 1t
might have gone down in history, be-
coming the original Of noble design
of the two noble brothers clasping
hands on the facade of the state house.
But now: but now it is but poor little
joke-only fit to be turned over to
Gov Hayward!
But the crowning infamy is when
they attempt to corner old Ben about
the church and barroom matter. Mr..
Editor, how dare they put the word
of this man Fair and the whole dirty
iot-of so-ealled- reputable gentle
men" of Orangeburg and Berkeley
who swear they heard him say 1t;
the word of such a crew I say, against
that Of our senior senator from South
Carolina? Have things come to such
pass that the simple word Of old
Ben is not valid against the whole
state? L weep to think Of how the
times are out Of joint.
And suppose he did say 1t? Suppose
he did say reverence" and not "inde
pendence," should not a freeborn cit
izen of our old commonwealth-not to
mention old Ben-should he not have
the right to say what he believes?
Since when must a man be stigma
tized for having the courage Of his
convictions? l say this, II our noble
leader believes that the churches are
made up of sneaks any hypocrites;
that the dispensary is the way out Of
the wilderness; and that he himself is
the Moses to lead US into the prom
ised land-if he has this sincere con-
viction and high aspiration,-I ask II
he should not speak it out without
fear or favor from God or man? /
pause for a reply. Let 1t be writ
large" on Aug. %. Yours,
CIvITAs.
Rural Retreat, S. c.
P. S.-Mr. Editor, is it true that old
Ben has gone to the west? All! /
fear that our ingratitude has broken
the heart of this great Caesar, and
that he has betaken himself to that
wild and woolly region to hide himself
from those who would only glory In
his grief OF course they say it is to
lecture, but 1 know it is to mourn.
Mr.. Editor, can't we advertise and
bring him back? They say he Is to
lecture for $4O0 a night, but can't we
start a popular subscription and give
him $4OO.25 a night to come back? AS
1t is we are bereft; we are undone!
He has left us to our fate.
CIvITAs.