University Missourian. [volume] (Columbia, Mo.) 1908-1916, 1911-04-26
Benjamin Ryan Tillman
4 Champion of the Common People.

Idenouuce tie punishment of a guilty
party, then be the instrument of indis-
terminate attacks on negroes living in
lthe vicinity at the time of some crimi.
nal act. Furthermore, he vigorously
loppOsed the reduction in representa-
ltion from those states where the ne
gro soIe had been eliminated. He knew
such Il step would be made for political
urposes only. and he menced no words
in his war on the question and those
who were advocating il. His love for
and Interest in his native state is
equalcd only by his faithiulnesS TO il.
Even as he has fought sor everything
else in which he believes, he fights for
South Carolina. He takes care that
the little triangular tract bordering the
attentiOn or from OverZealOuSness in
an effort TO make strong the central
government; for Ben" Tillman doesn't
think much OF governmental stagnatiOn
or its other extreme, centralized iegiS-
lation. Consequently, the common
wealth he repre- ents gets its share of
the good things dispensed from Wash
ingtOn. For instance. CharlestOwn in
that state has the S0uth's greatest ma
val sta; ion; and TiIman got it.
Rarely ever has the honesty of the
Farmer Senator" been called into
question. An effort was made not long
after lie became member OF Congress,
TO trip him mp in a land deal that say
Ored of crooked methods; but he came
ont stronger than ever. .Iext TO his
fighting qualities, he is known best for
his honesty. branded as a demagoSIlp
and dangerous revoiutionist, naturally
he Was al first viewed with suspicion.
Through it all he stood the test, and in
that respect. il may have been said: Il
find no fault in this man."
Ii is his temper and his tongue that
has been The great stumbling block of
this otherwise great American. The
historically figurative chip always rests
on his shoulder, and 10 disturb its
equilibrium is sufficient for declara-
rion Of war by its bearer. As calm as
an autumn twilight when he is AT
peace, he can become as tcmpestuOuS |
as the most turbulent waters# when the |
grain Of his temper is twitched. He en-
joys a facetiOus tweak. if it is done in |
the open. but nothing short OF fight sat. |
isfies mis- pu9alistic temperament when |
there is a serious que ton involved. |
His punmeling is of the intellectual |
kind rather than that resorted TO by |
the followers of the prize ring; but he |
can strike with the clenched fist. 1t
cannot be said to his credit that AT
least one time in his career he subSfi-
futed closed hand ana long arm for
his tongue. In moment of anger.
which. unfortunately, comes too often
10 him. he attacked his colleague on
floor cf the Senate. Resolutions of
Were passed and the
whole country censured him for the Il
lct.
Temper and tongue are necessary,
Dut there should not be too much of
Either. The temper is destructive to
Judgment when il is allowed to go I'M
bridl9d, and the tongue will do much
hat Is evil when it goes uncaged. The II
;reat Senator must know this. for sure
y he has Suffered Affections as a re-
ult D. some of his OWE acts OF inds-
'retioh. He has been reprOved often
md, at times no doubt. he has brought
lboIt his own defeat by temper or
Onguc, Or both.
But the giant oak that once trembled
'ecaIse of his earnegtness now trem-
lies by reason Of decay. Senator Till
nan. once strong. has been worn by
attles and storms, and he must soon
ALL OverwO Ork brought disease. and
e has not been able to fight it back.
ie has made great senator-his
riends and enemies know that Now. -
hOugh he must go. In him the nation
ees the crumbling of great power. a
trOng mind and a striking parsonage.
le has served his state. the country
nd its people we'll He has made mis-
lkes-that's the faiibe side of man-
ut the world is charitably inclined
,ward those approaching the grave.
ike the rest of mankind, he was built
clay. To clay hp must return, hav-
- ]. G. II.