The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-07-14
Mr.. Lever and Democracy.

~ - r.
lisate for reelection, is reported to
nave said that he voted for the duty
IN lumber and had no apology to-:
make for it, and he did 1t because
he knew the tariff on lumber would
put s3,0O0,000 into the treasury OF
the United States, not one cent or
which will come from the people OF
South Carolina" In its Leading ed
!tor,al column on Monday The State
- ...~ as follows on Mr. Le-
yer;s speech:
THE State is not fighting Mr.. Le-
yer. The State recognizes his ener-
gy and the efficiency of his efforts
ON the business or commercial
side OF the Congressional office. The
State recognizes the fact that in this
State and in other one-party States
of the South the interest in the prln-
ciples of the Democratic party has
so waned that candidates for Sena-
tors and Representatives are elected
without having their understanding
of Democracy tested, and often when
they are in ignorance OF or not In
sympathy with those deep funda-
mentals on which the party is built,
and without which the party must
finally crumble.
Nevertheless The State shall
perform its duty to the Democrat
ic party ard shall demonstrate to
the satisfaction of those who can an
swer the\question, What is a DEM
ocrat?.'' that Congressman Lever
owes the Democrats in his district an
apology for his vote for a duty on
lumber, and having offended against
his party by going against princi-
pie on which especial emphasis was
laid, his only tenable position is as
a supplicant for forgiveness. not as
a defiant opportunist who places per-
sonal views against party principles.
.'If there were a strong Republi-
can minority in edr. Levers district
or If the Democrats of that district
voted for Democracy instead OF for
personality, Mr. Lever would not
have made to the voters the decla-
ration that he did at Lex:ngton-un-
less he wished retirement to private
life.
..Mr. Lever canvassed his district
in 1908 and pledged his allegiance
to the Democratic party after the
National democratic convention had
the platform. That plat
form was the platform Of every cam
diiate in the country seeking votes
as a Democrat. The only possible
escape from being bound by that
platform. would have been for Mr..
Lever to have frankly told his con-
stituents he would, if elected, refuse
to abide by this or that plank. But
he did not do So, When he received
the peoples votes they could have
believed only that he supported the
National Democratic platform.
1.-THE National Democratic plat
is the party law-de-
clares in general terms against 70
lection, and declared especially aid
for free lumber. Mr..
Lever voted against free lumber be
cause he knew the tariff would put
s3,OOO.OO0 into the treasury of the
United States"
.'We shall not pause to inquire of
Mr.. Lever whether he was impor-
tuned to vote for that duty by United
States treasury officials or by lum-
Der manufacturers. 8 Nor is it perth
nent to discuss whether, from the
South, Carolina Standpoint, that
plank in the platform was wise or
expedient. That it was not consid-
cred inimical to South t1arolina's in
terests, and was in harmony with
South Carolina Democratic senti-
ment, the unanimous vote of approx
al by South Caro!ina's delegation
at the Denver convention bears wit
ness. Indeed. no voice from the
South was raised against that plank
in the convention.
1.-The question for Mr.. Lever to
answer is whether he considers the
party law binding, or believes he has
the privilege of boiling it whenever
it appears to him expedient so to do?
"If Mr.. Lever may with impunity.
flatly ignore one plank Of the plat
form on which he was elected, why
may he not repudiate dozen of
them? If opportunism is to be the
guide for representatives and Sena-
tors what farce to have have party
principles and party Platforms! II
Mr.. Lever may vote against the Dehl-
ocratic platform because it does not
cost South Carolina cent and puts
$3,00e,000 in the treasury, what
right have we-as Democrats-to
d,ndamn a Pennsylvania Republi-
can for voting for a tariff duty that
will put sS.0O0,OOO in the treasury
and cost South Carolina s250,O00?
when Democrat totes against
ais party declaration and votes for
q protective tariff. he. strengthens
the Republican party and cuts the
ground from under the one great
on which Democracy has
won in a half century.
Are the people. through their
-, ~ l.. ldonl a ro tihnc Of nri inninla In