Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-02-20
NO. Is.

| the single party. Inat mas DeBottcn
and perpetuated the spirit Of internal
dissension. And the schism which has
torn South Carolina threatens the
other states where one political party
holds high and undisputed hands;
although in some Of the other states,
through the wise administration Of
affairs by their leaders, the tendency
toward factionalism is suppressed
but not avoided. In one Of the
states, however where one party has
been in absolute power for a long
time is there a healthy political con-
|, dition. In South Carolina, the dis
ease is perhaps more pronounced
| than in many Of the other states be-
cause of the peculiar and long-stand-
ing social caste formation.
Fruitful Soil for Demasogues.
The states illiteracy is one of its
most potent detractors politically. as
in every way. A great many Of the
voters are exceedingly Suspicious
when the advance agents Of progress
appeal to them but are surpressingly
credulous when a wolf appears to
them in sleeps clothing. They have
constituted a fruitful soil for the till
age Of the demagogue. 1t has been
easy to play on their prejudices-by
far the quickest road to their ap-
plause. Politicians, therefore. who
have sought success by creating a
wave ~ public opinion in their favor
have resorted to an appeal to the ig-
norant masses In such a manner as to
condone or justify their illiteracy. 1t
Is an old game of politics in South
Carolina.
This accounts for a widespread
popular prejudice against the leaders
Of the people. many Of whom have
tried in every possible way to elevate
the ideals Of the masses. During
Blease's second candidacy for COVER
nor, several ministers Of the Gospel
publicly plead with their congrega-
tions to vote against him. And in
not few instances, they were told by
their people to desist from such a
course or to offer their designations.
For missionary and benevolent causes
the audiences would respond more or
less gladly and generously to the calls
Of the preachers, but on matters Of
interest to the state. their ears We're
closely sealed against pulpit declara-
tons. The people had developed an
abnormal political consciousness
conscience warped on the side Of poll
tics: bias which through ignorance
had become a fixed and unchanging
prejudice.
Because of this also, the voice OF
the press has been reduced to the
plane Of a negative factor politically.
Yet, in relation to the situation, the
daily, the most Of the weekly, papers
have committed some errors, which,
perhaps, were unconsciously done.
One of their blunders was that Of be-
ing somewhat inconsistent. Every
thing to the discredit Of Blease was
offered to the public under large
headlines; a fairly justifable meth
cd where political morality IS made
the criterion by which personal
friend and political enemy are to be
judged alike. But in some respects,
the papers had not proven themselves
good arbiters Of moral questions, and
hence the moral suasion Of the press
was largely nullified before the peo-
pie. And, in some instances, the pa
pers concealed, whether they approv-
ed or not, certain moral disabilities In
their friends while they expressed
similar deformities in their opponents
thus becoming guilty Of one Of the
sins with which they charged Blease.
and with which he was chargeable,
namely, that Of partiality to friends.
1t must be said, furthermore, that in
their published notices Of him, they
have not been altogether just. The
conduct for which he deserves to be
reprimanded as a public servant was
given due and timely notice; that for
which he might have been commend
ed was given with something Of
hint between the lines that there was
an Interior motive in 1t, or in mani
fest effort to damn him with feigned
praise"
Another mistake, even more far
reaching in its negative effects upon
the people and yet even less con-
sciously committed by the press OF
the state, was that Of indiscretion in
publishing full, unlimited and well
nigh everlasting declarations against
Blease. What they said was mostly
true; but everything that they could
say against him was said. They turn
ed on too much light for the weak
eyes of a great many of their readers.
It blinded them. The people at first
doubted their own eyes; and after
having received personal letters from
Blease or his campaign manager
they discredited the papers altogeth-
er. Many Of the defamatory reports
looked like falsehoods. The whole
truth about the bad side Of some
men seems to an unsophisticated
spectator to be untrue. The very ex-
cess Of the truth or the superabund-
ance of the revelation Of it excites
distrust and defeats its own ends. The
papers should have had reference not
only to the volume Of light on hand
but also to the strength Of the pub
lie eyes to bear it. They should have
guarded their information to the in
telligence of the folk. They should
have said nothing designed to under
mine the moral reputation Of poll
tical opponent solely because of po-
litical differences. To attack a mans
morals for political purposes has not
entitled the press Of South Carolina
to the popular distinction of being an
engine Of public Righteousness.
Hope in the Situation.
But 1t seems that the end Of fac
tionalism is near at hand. The next
governor of South Carolina will
doubtless be a man Of unquestioned
public and private integrity; and a
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