The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-01-20


reading of the Journal had been dis
pensed with Senator Tillman took the
floor and from that moment every eye
| In the chamber was riveted upon him.
His manner the tonal shades of his
voice. every gesture. and especially his
utterances. were as closely scrutinized
as though the occasion were the my
biological Judgment of Paris.
Plainly II was the crucial moment Of
his career, when he would be judged
not only by his words, but the i'm
preston their delivery created. Only
once during his speech was he ap-
plauded. and that was when he de-
clared the president evidently believed
ben Tillman's pitchfork had gone out
of business" Mingled laughter and
applause greeted this remak. The ap-
plause was hearty enough to develop
an admonition from the vice president
to the galleries that they must not
indulge In any demonstration. When
Il
ward the president there were ripples
| OF laughter, not open outbursts. but.
subdued sounds of visibility. Finally
when Mr.. Tillman had concluded at /
o'clock. he resumed his seat amidst
the silence Of the crowd. The same
throng which had given him such an
ovation at the moment OF his entry
upon the scene indicated neither ap-
proval nor disapproval when he had
ended. This was an extraordinary fea-
ture of itself. 1t was as though the
vast audience had suspended judg-
ment In unison, as though the curtain
had gone down In the middle of a play
before the climax of the drama had
been reached. as though something
more were expected.
| At this dramatic moment Senator
Hale moved that the senate take re-
cess for 10 minutes. Some Of the
crowd left the galleries. but their
places were quickly filled by others
from the corridors. and while the con-
gressmen, secretaries. clerks, and even
senator's left the floor of the chamber,
the great frame Of people in the gall
leries looked down upon the picture
In which Senator Tillman was still the
central figure. The South Carolinian
remained at his desk. Senators went
over to grasp his hand. First some
OF his colleagues from the Democratic
side-Messrs. Money and McI.aurin--
tho Senator Dick from the Repub-
lican side. He was at no time sur
rounded by any large group of his
colleagues. but during the afternoon
most Of the members Of the senate,
without being demonstrative about 1t,
caught him by the hand. or engaged
him In conversation.
Senator Tiilman spoke with a great
deal Of repressed feeling although he
read his remarks from a proof slip.
He followed Its text closely. but oc-
casionally paused to interpolate some
thing extomporaneousl and when he
| reached the end Of the prepared
speech Senator Tillman added an
aside explanation. and from that ne
tilted at the president with something
like his old-time fire. Offering to cross
lances with him.
In conclusion" he declared in this
extemporaneous peroration, II wish
to say that have received many let
ters and kilograms urging me to turn
my batteries upon my assailant. But
I am persuaded by my doctor that I
am not equal to the double task. Be-
sides, my own personal character must
In the final analysis be my bulwark.
A man whose life has always been
honest and above reproach will hard
ly turn out a liar and a swindler at
61."
Then after a pause. Mr.. Tillman
quoted a line from Tennyson:
"soiling another will never make
ones self clean"
After this quotation with a great
deal Of feeling, Mr.. Tillman declared:
Theodore Roosevelt lives in a glass
house. with glass floor In 1t. even.
Common caution ought to teach him
to have regard for others. He has
exerted all Of his power to destroy me-
I feel unscathed. At some time In
the future Of this session. IL my
strength holds out. and intend to try
to conserve II. I propose to bring
Theodore Roosevelt face to face with
his true self. and show the people of
the United States the character of the
man they have bowed down To- For