The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-04-04

sense of the highest public duty that L
feel called upon tc address yoa at this
time. Burdened as I am with national
nothing but obligations to
the people induce me to take upon my
shoulders the additional work OF d.
recting ysur attention to matters al
fecting the state alone. But l nave
never f 1t or believed it to be the wish
and intention of the people of South
Carolina that my election to the senate
should cause me tt lose all interest
and nee about hi me affairs. l
was q citizen and taxpayer before g!
ever held any office at all and l Will
be q citizen and taxpayer alter 1 snall
cease to hold office. Therefore, 1t Is
unnatural and improper from my point
OF view for me to take no interest anu
have no thought about what is going
on in South Carolina.
have received a great deal OF ad
vice recently from the newspapers OF
u state to the effect that I. should at
tend to my duties in Washington and
leave others to discuss and direct at
fairs at home. The common trend OF
all of this advice is that | shout dis
cuss national questions in the coming
state campaign, be reelected to the
senate, with or without opposition, n
not stir up strife. I am warned and
threatened should 1 not heed TINS
counsel, but in spite of it all L feel
compelled to speak to the people with
NV usual frankness and bluntt ess and
let them determine the whole question.
I have never sought to dictate to The
people I have only told them the
truth as I see it, given my opinions for
what they were worth, and l am al
ways willing to ABIDE by their action
whatever that may be 1t is so in this
instance. 1t gives me no concern
that my return to the senate may be
jeopardixed. There are things more to
be dreaded than the loss of a seat in
the senate, one is the loss Of my own
self-respect. I have been trusted by
the people Of South Carolina and have
been honored by them far beyond my
deserts, have been chosen as their
leader and been followed Loyalty. Now
if after sixteen years I should from
selfish motives, betray their confidence
and allow ambition to draw me aside
from the path of duty, l would de-
serve and expect to receive their con-
tempt and punishment at the polls. l;
therefore, scorn all suggestions OF
cowardly no-interference in state al
fairs. The people know me too we'll to
be fooled by the assertion that it is
nv desire to boss or dictate, for my
sole purpose is to give them the 6ene-
fit Of my experience and knowledge
and offer such advice as in my judg-
ment will be conducive to the public
welfare. Then I will abide cheerfully
by whatever conclusion they may
reach. "Tsach the people and trust
the people" was. Jefferson's motto
teach the people and trust the peop.e
is equally my motto and that is all l
shall attempts to do at this time.
Sixteen years ago there was a revo-
luton in South Carolina which gave
the common people of the state for the
first time in its history that recognition
which was their due and made them in
reality the masters Of u public af-
fairs. The old ring was overthrow ;
tho primary system which gave every
man, however poor and humble, an
equal vote with every other man, how
aver rich aud high followed the new
state constitution gave us temporary
immunity from negro denomination ;
the utmost freedom of discussion in
all political activities was assured and
under these new impulses the state has
bounded forward like a ace horse
along all progressive lines. There
are not wanting, however, indications
that sinister influences are at work
and that a few men are seeking to OBJ
tain practical control of the state gov
eminent and to dominate in our at
fairs. The corporations have not re
gained the sway which they once held,
but are gradually getting more and
more influence and direction in our
politics. There are evidences of more
than "incipient r]otteness" in the state
and if the schemes of certain men are
not thwarted in the coming primary
election, it will be only a short time
before another Estate ring'' will have
full sway in our affairs with its head
quarters in the State newspaper office
Columbia.
There are several things in connec-
ton with our state government that l
will discuss in the coming campaign,
but in this address I shall treat Of
only two of the things the people of
The state should earnestly consider
low and take immediate action about.
One is the settlement of the whiskey
question and the other is the control
If the Democratic party of the state
" a majority of all of the Democrats
than by a small fraction of the
The two ideas are i~nterlockod
Ind cannot be separated, and there
ore, I shall treat them together.
At this time by elections held under
The Brise act fifteen counties in the
are enjoying the blessings of pro-)
libition. 1.-TWO have always been dry.
No whiskey can be lawfully sold within
borders. But any citizen living
n tn ose counties has only to keep his
eyes open and look around him to see
what the results have been. First, let
avery man who reads a newspaper
in those counties search its
and see advertisements OF
houses outside of the state
Ind then let him 60 to the express of
ices along the lines of the railroads
,ud see how much liquor is being daily
brought into those seventeen counties.
Then let this citizen follow up this Ii
and find out who drinks it, but
doing that turn to the editorial
of these newspapers and see the
illusions 10 the BLESSINGS Of
prohibition," "quietude," freedom
from Drunkenness" peace and good
that are proclaimed. Of course
there are exceptions to this bright and
beautiful picture as shown in the news
TENS about the recent murder in a
blind tiger in Greenvillc, followed by