The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1914-06-17

nlatform. but once there and solemn
|ly ratlfed,it was the only rule, and
binding on all Democrats until there
was some subsequent expression
from the people. Third: That the
last State convention, held subse-
ouent to the vote in the House, in a
measure directed the vote Of South
Cardinals representatives in the up
per house, but of course could not al
feet the votes of members of the low
er house, who at that time had to
stick to the party chart THE plat
form.
Fourth: That the President, of
whom he spoke in the highest terms,
made a mistake in precipitating this
fight, when it could just as well have
been taken up after the Congression-
al elections.
Herein Senator Tillman spoke a
parable. Whatever the merits or de-
merits of the proposition, the Demo-
lcrats should learn a lesson from their
time honored opponents: that delay
is not always dangerous; and especial
lly on the eve of an election. A mere
statement of his views or the subject,
by the President, at this time with
the promise that it would be taken
up as soon as practicable, would have
left no gap down to u adversarles.
lSenator Tillman believes that many
voters of the East and South who
would have been benefited by in
creased competition with transconti-
mental railroads, by means of reduced
water rates, will allege a definite
grievance, and will announce their
grievance through their votes. : VI
course this has special reference to the
eastern section where the voting is
heaviest, and not to the South where
party lines decide everything.
The fact is, but Tor the undue i'm
portance given this matter in Con-
gressional discussions and newspaper
comments, it would have passed as a
~"nine days wonder" The people
are not worrying themselves about it
one way or anotl er, except as adj
mirers of a great president some con-
ltend for his Instability. 1t is now
pretty generally conceded that the
honor of the nation was not at stake;
that England could not reasonably
have forced us, through her treaty
rights. From the Democratic stand
point the question resolves itself in
to one of two queries:-should the
representative in Congress vote to
lannul the mere shadow of subsidy or
should he vote to uphold the plain
dictates of his party platform?
President Wilson himself fully en-
dorsed the free tolls plank in his
speeches prior to nomination. Mr.
Bryan helped write the plank and
must have approved it. If there
was mischief lurking in the measure,
far reaching in it's effects, and it es'
capped detection for so long, by the
President, the greatest Of Democrats
it is not fair to assume that the aver
LACED voter would have remained bliss
fully ignorant of any defect in this free
tolls plank, but for the fight on it be-
ing precipitated at this time. How
ever, the tolls exemption clause O
the bill has been repealed by fina
vote in the Senate of so to 80, made
up for and against, of both Demo
Gratis and Republicans. AS gooo
democrats we should forget this is
sue, that unagitated, will pass out O
the public mind. We can very justly
|say to the Republicans that it was
mot a party issue, for their votes
lshow that they too were divided.