Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-06-30
The State Campaign.

twenty years, which development viii
not be altogether bad, it is pleasing tc
note that the most Objectionable fea-
lures Of the two proceeding campaigns
will in a large measure be eliminated
by the campaign now in progress.
The political history of South Caro-
lima during the past twenty years Is
not altogether creditable. 1t may be
that matters have been no worse ir
South Carolina than in other states;
but even if this be true, there is nc
especial cause for congratulations; be-
cause all the same our state has a
great deal of which to be ashamed
The one great problem with which
South Carolina has been struggling is
to bring out clearly the line Of division
between the dominating schools Of po-
litical thought and action. This was
the keynote of Tillmanism, as 1t began
10 take shape in the early nineties
and it has figured more or less in ev-
cry political struggle that has occur
good deal Of progress; but up to this
time nothing has been definitely set
tied Final settlement still remains for
the future.
When Tillman appeared on the
scene, he found a state Of political dry
rot The politics Of the state was IN
control of a ruling class that was in
the minority from a popular stand
point; but which nevertheless held its
sway with despotic arrogance that
looked upon all other claims to politi-
cal equality, not to say recognition as
absurd. The majority Of the people
had come to realize and recognize the
situation, and striking at time when
this feeling was just good ripe, Till
situation plain. AS to whether he
really understood the matter is pos
sibly a matter of doubt; but that the
people understood there is no reason
able question. Tillman served as flag
bearer, if not as an actual leader, and
the prevailing sentiment among the
people did the rest. 1t was the spirit
of political freedom long confined like
bird in a cage, and asserting itself
as soon as the door of the cage was
open.
The history of what followed is
pretty we'll understood by those of the
nll IN
member. There was a fierce struggle
extending over about six years, and il
required two hotly contested general
elections to establish definitely the
fact that the majority sentiment OF
the state was really what the result OF
the elections indicated it was. After
realizing it's defeat, and the hopeless
ness of re- establishing itself on the
old basis, the former dominant ele-
ment began to adopt a policy of sub
misunderstanding realization Of the
error of it's way and protesting con-
version. In many instances the pro-
fessions were really sincere: but in
the majority of cases it was only make
believe. The people, never bitter and
indicative, were generally willing to
accept all professions of conversion al
their face value, and past Shortcom
ingS were soon forgotten. But it was
not a great while before there came q
decided Temperance of all tenden-
cieS, and il began to seem that unless
there was another hOuSecleaninS
things would soon be again as before.
In the campaign of two years age
the underlying issue, the mainSpringS
of action were practically the same as
in the early nineties. The battle lines
extended over practically the sans
ground, and the fighting was practl-
cally the same. The principal differ
ence in the two campaigns was that
in the early nineties there were full
cOmplements of candidates represent
ing the issue all along the line, while
two years ago the leaders were few
and scattered.
But the result was the same. The
sweep of the battle showed that the
spirit of the early nineties was still as
strong among the people as ever, and
that they had definite notions OF how
to vote without being told. Indeed
most self constituted would-be advis-
erS StrenuUuSly advised to the con-
trary; but the people were none the
less uncertain in their verdict.
1t is a strange situation. AS a mat
ter of fact we are all the same people;
but the trouble is we have many who
are unable to understand. They are
either unable to understand or they
won't understand. The old spirit OF
dcspotic arrogance had been in vogue
so long that it had become a part OF
- h.i ,f nd thnN pnnl1 moi
see that the time had come for d
change There are many who fail tc
see il yet.
There is one good sign in the pres
cnt situation. All reason and justice
being on the side of the majority from
the standpoint of argument at least
in the early ninetieS, the minority re-
sorted to viliiicatiOn and abuse. There
are those who blame Tillman will
having originated that: but the rec
ords do not bear out the claim. 1t was
a day of rash and violent statements
such as disgrace to the state, degrada
ton and all that. 1t was common tC
hear men say that if Tillman wa:
elected they would leave South Caro-
lima. There were efforts to involve
Tillman and others in personal diff
culties. and all the shortcomings of hi:
colleagues real and imaginary, were
held up to ridicule, contempt and the
like. 1t was a fearful time. All theS,
tactics were repeated four years ago
and two years ago. The vilificatlon
abuse. contumely and slander tw,
years ago exceeded that of the early
ninetieS. Indeed some of the falSehOods
of two years ago were of such diabol'
iCal plausibilty, as to make even eX'
perienced men of the world Shlver II
horror that such things could be. The
object of the falsehOOdS, of course
was 10 distract attention from the rea
issues or lack of issues. and they hat
their effect in that direction will
thousands of good men who had nevel
| dreamed Of depths to which low tlunt
political aSSaSSlns can descend. But a:
suggested, a good sign of the preSen
situation is that the tactics referred t'
| have not yet been revived.
The present battle is being Tough
nStenSiblv on issues. As a matter a
| fact there is not Il real issue in th'
whole Campaign-nut proposition
that Il majority of the people reEart
as an issue. But then there is more
| or less discussion of policies. and th'
discussion is of Il nature that is cal
| gulated to be more or less INSTRUCTIVE
land cdifying and to that extent thu
result is about the same.
We see in the present campaign
| both in the senatorial race ana th
race for state otfiCeS-evidenCeS tina
the uld time bitterness is being for