The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-03-18
South Cardinals Faults Airrd.

Recently State Senator E. +. Werner OF
Oconee County, South Carolina, opposing
a compulsory education bill in the Legisla-
ture, declared that I'VE are lawless peo-
ple." Mr.. Verners bold statement immd-
diately became the subject of wide dis
cussion, with general disposition shown
by both factions and all elements to admit
it's essential truth. This disposition would
convey faI more promise II the frankness
were less cheerful or complacent on the
part Of some and less despiring Of reform
on the part Of others. In the Walhalla
Kenowee Courier Mr.. Werner now elabo-
rates his views. ,...
The main stock in trade Of the average
writer or speaker in South Carolina, as
we'll as elsewhere, Is to bost Of the great
ness Of the State or States. So declares
Mr.. Werner in weariness Of spirit. He
wants to diverge little from the lines OF
popular appeal customary in the United
States at large but pre-eminently In the
South and more in South Carolina, he be-
lieves, than anywhere else, He has no
flattery for the sovereign people just now
but only few wholesome truths. 81
think" he submits, "there is more vanity
to the square inch in South Carolina than
anywhere else on this entire earth. The
typical South Carolinian thinks the sun
rises in Charleston and sets-if lsft to me
in Oconee County, The boundary line
OF this Stale IS the horizon Of his world
Columbia is his Mecca. If he should
chance to let the schales drop from his
eyes long edough to look across the State
line, it would be for brief glance in the
direction Of Washington D. c., family hop
ing that he might Ultimately prove to be
one of the elect and land in that holy OF
holies." Again: 1--WE have universal,
satiate, uncontrolleble propensity for
making laws. This Is evidenced by the
fact that this Winter no fewer than 1900
bills have been urged as necessary to be
added to the statutes Of this State. At the
same time have no respect for authority,
live in daily and open violation OF the
laws ef this Commonwealth" MIR. Werner
goes on: "Whethe We be great or not, OF
one thine am certain: We are a vain,
self-centered and, to an alarming degree
lawless people. We ignore good laws
and make futile attempts to enforce some
bad ones" The writer relates conversa-
tion with banker who denounced Blease-
ism and took him to task for opposing
compulsory school attendance. This bank
er, arguing for compulsory education, said
that a young borrow at the bank had to
make his mark on theinote. Pressed, then'
by Mr.. Werner for the rate OF interest
CHARGED. he stammereG out that 1t was
12 per cent.
Often things out Of the ordinary are
said solely to attract attention to the
speaker or shock his hearers. MIR. Yer
ner evidently is inspired by no such mo-
tive. He has simply spoken out in meet
ing. His picture Is drawn with sincerity,
and if all who cannot help but recognize
its likeness to the original did their share
Of amendment there would be new heavens
and new earth between the Savannah
River and the North Carolina line. But
let no one suppose that the need OF con-
fession and reform is coufined to South
Carolina or that, in some respects, 1t Is
much if any greater with her than with
her neighbors. Her bad eminence does
not 90 much beynd the super-hight OF her
narrow self-opinion and the chronic ran
cor of her politics.-Charolett Observer.