The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1915-10-27

risk of division among them on O.
purely partisan basis would be con-
siderable. Such an inquiry would, of
course, be very much worse than use
| less, would, In fact, be dcplora BILE
failure of justice. 1t would not only
heighten animosities already far too
general and bitter. but would also
Impair greatly the prestige of tho
courts and Offset the notable gains
hardly won Of late toward respect for
law as such. Leaders consulted say
there Is nothing to gain by haste in
the matter and everything to lose.
Charleston's paramount need at
present Is for quiet and 1t 10 hopeful
| sign that the community itself is con-
scious Of the need. Sidney Cohen's
death had a SOLDERING effect. Con-
clusion OF the inquest has already re-
laxed the tension perceptibly. Fur
ther easing OF tho strain will como
merely from the passage OF time, pro-
vided no new developments occur to
draw the lines taut again. With
drawal of the military is also con-
tributing toward Improvement. Mod
crates are counseling federation, dis
erection and forbearance. Extremists
take such advice so far with wry faces,
but the quiet propaganda Is having
Its influence and gains adherents
daily. ','.' ...-
Definite acceptance by Mr.. Grace
OF the prima facie result as declared
would undoubtedly go farther than
any other one factor to restore in
Charleston reasonably comfortable
coditions. Concession by him of de-
feat must of course be complemented,
II 1t Is to do good. by an attitude
on the victors' part free Of provoca-
ton. As yeti here can hardly be any
dealings between the principals, but
between the camps informal quiet
communication la proceeding and in
this fact glimmers hope of improve
ment. Mr.. Grace has friends and val
ued ones who are pressing the view
upon him that for his city's sake he
ought now to forgo further contest
ing Of the primary, even though he
conceive, as he says he does, himself
to have been Ill used. The few mod
crates on the other side-there are
few on either side-would not pretend
to relish a parthian broadside from
the mayor, but provided it be not too
offensive they stand ready to let it 60
unanswered for the cause Of peace.
The mayor. however. has q small
army Of placeholders who hold their
Jobs by his tenure and many Of these
are continually imploring him to stand
by them.
Mai. Hyde is keeping IN the back
ground and saying little. 1t is not 10
be understood from anything said here
that there have been any engagements
between the factions rcgardinc any
course Of action. All that has been
done has been tentative and informal.
Peacemakers are stressng the fact
that neither side has a monopoly Of
the virtues. Their task Is difficult
Numbers OF Charlestonians, right
though they may be, or wrong, do
Enthusiastically believe. whether or not
they personally admire Maj Hyde,
that his faction comprises prepond-
erance Of the factors of responsibility,
steadiness and lawabidlngness, not to
say OF patriotism. One Hyde man
put II this>way: "The Hyde party
consists of most Of the respcetab bles
and n few hoodlums. the Grace party
OF most OF the hoodlums and few
That Is not altogether
an accurate statement. The Grace
mon on the other hand arc most Of
them warmly attached personally to
their champion and they believe he
Is the bulwark Of democracy and
progress In the community. Then,
too, each OF the factions has it's
rowdies. Each I'm other words has
what Col. Roosevelt calls It's Iunatic
fringe"