The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1906-04-04

Columbia, Special.-The long prom
lsed manifesto Of Senator Tillman on
the dispensary was made public here
Saturday afternoon. It is the first
broadslde Of the State campaign now
about to open and will be read with
great interest throughout the State.
The letter was likely scheduled to
come ont first ahead Of the State
Democratic convention.
The letter follows:
Fellow Citizens: It is only from a
sense Of the highest public duty that
I feel called upon to address you at
this time. Burdened as I am with
national concerns, nothing but obli-
cations to the people induce me to
take upon my shoulders the addition
al work OF directing your attention
to matters affecting the State alone.
But | have never felt or believed it to
be the wish and intention of the peo-
pie OF South Care)ma that sly eiec-
tion to the Senate should cause me to
lose all interest and concern about
home affairs. / was citizen and tax
payer before ever held any Office at
aE and [ will be citizen and tax
payer after [ shall cease to hold
Office. Therefore, it is unnatural and
improper from my point of view for
me to take no interest, and have no
thoughts about what is going on in
South Carolina.
[ have received a great dealsof ad-
vice recently from the newspapers
of our State to the effect that I
should attend to nay duties III Wash
ington and leave others, to discuss
and direct affairs at hohae. The COM
mon trend Of all Of this advice is that
should discuss u-tional questions
IN tie coming State campaign, be re-
elected to the Senate, with or without
opposition, and not stir up strife. I
am warned and threatened should I
not heed this counsel, but in spite Of
1t all feel compelled to speak to the
people with my usual frankness and
biuntness and let them determine the
whole question. [ have never sought
TO dictate to the people. / have only
told chem the truth as / see it, given
lay opinions for what they. were
worth, and I am slwaxs willing to
abide by their action whatever that
may be. It is so in this instance, 1t
gives me no concern that my return
TO Senate may bs jeopardized. There
are things more 10 be dreaded than
the loss Of a seat in the Senate. and
is the loss of my ou'u self-respect. I
have been trusted by She people Of
South Carolina FAR beyond my de-
serts, have been chosen as their lead
er aud been followed loyalty. Now if
after sixteen years I should from
selfish motives betrav their confidence
and allow ambition to draw me aside
from the path Of duty. ] wrld deserve
and expect to receive their contempt
aud punishment at the polls. |. there
fore, scorn all suggestiens Of c5ward
~ non-interference in State affairs.
The people know me too we'll to be
fooled by the assertion that it is my
desire to boss OF dictate for my sole
purpose is to give them the benefit Of
my experience and knowledge and Of
fer such advice as in my Judgment
will be conducive to the public well
fare. Then | will abide cheerfully
by whatever CONCLUSION they may
reach. ''Teacil the people and trust
the people, was .Eetferson's motto:
teach the people and trust the people
IS equally my motto and that, is all
shall attempt to do at this time.
Sixteen years ago there was revo-
luton in South Carolina which gave
the common people Of the State for
the first time in its history that recog-
milton !.b.ch was their due and made
them in reality the masters of our
public affairs. The old ring was over
thrown: the primary system which
gave every man. however poor and
humble. an equal vote with every 9th
er man, however rich and high: fol-
lowed: the new State constitution
gave us temporary immunity from ne
gro domination: the utmost freedom
Of discussion in all political 'activi-
ties was assured; and under these new
impulses the State has bounded for
ward like race horse along all pro-
gressive lines. There are not wanting
however, indications that sinister in
huences are at work and that few
men are seeking to obtain practical
control of the State government and
to dominate iii our affairs. The cor
porations have not reeained The sway
which they once held. but are gradu-
ally getting more and more influence
and direction in orr politics. There
arc evidences OF more than "inclpi-
ent rcttenness in the State and II
the schemes Of certain men are not
thwarted in the coming primary cleo
tion. II will he onlv short time be-