Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-07-10

State had a majority, but they were
disorganized and had neither leaders
nor a formulated policy. From 1876
till 1890 there seven primary cleo
tons for the State, county and NUM-
cipal officers; and it must be remem-
bered that, as there was only n par
ty in the State that had any POSSIBLE
ty of power-the white mans party
all struggles for office were virtu-
ally settled in the primaries rather
than rather than at the polls. The
majority of defeated candidates dur
ing this period sulked and their fol-
lowers gradually ceased to go to the
polls. The white vote grew smaller
and smaller, but it was always able
to control the overwhelming negro
population.
Tillman Sees His Chance.
Meanwhile the weather. farmers
and the "poor whites were growing
closer together. They were in time to
make common cause. The successors
of the old aristocracy were to fall
out of power and give place to the
great white middle class.
Tillman seemed to be the first man
to comprehend the meaning of these
blind giant STRINGS. He put himself
at the head of the disconnected rural
mob and fashioned into an army, the
Farmers Alliance was organized in
1889, and was in full swing by 1890.
Tillman taught the farmers that the
bankers and merchants were sucking
their life blood and that, unless they
organized themselves against the
money-lending element in the cities,
they would in time lose the title to
their farms and become mere agricul-
tural serfs.
In March, 1890 the farmers held a
convention in Columbia to suggest
a candidate for governor and secure
his nomination within the "solid DEM
ocratic Party" They selected Tlllman
as their candidate. The regular DEM
ocratic primaries were to be held that
complete organization of a new party
in every county and precinct. With an
innocent face he went to the Demo-
cratic State committee and persuaded
the politicians to allow the Farmers
Alliance to be represented on the va
rious boards of election officers and
on the executive committees of the
State and counties. The moment that
done Tillman was master OF
South Carolina. In all other Southern
States the Democrats treated the Far
mers' Alliance as an independent par
ty and would allow it nj representa-
ton.
Tillman was nominated for COVER
nor. -4a
A Strange and Bitter Campaign.
Then came one of the strangest
and bitterest campaigns in the history
of this restless and unconquerably
proud State. The man who has not
visited Charleston, the home of the
most charming and exclusive aristoc-
racy in the South, can scarcely under
stand the horror with which the con-
servative element viewed the pros
pect of an uncouth, profane farmer,
in a rusty coat and shocking hat, sit
ting in the chair of Wade Hampton.
There was not more anguish in Mass
achusetts when Benjamin F. Butler
was elected governor.
Revolvers bulged out under coat
tails at all of the political meetings.
Tillman forced the rival candidate,
General Earle, to agree to a joint de-
bate. 1t was a terrific struggle, The
most critical moment in that memo
rable fight occurred at a great mass
meeting here. Three-quarters Of the
audience were anti Tillmanites. Near
ly every man was armed. Most of the
speakers on the platform had revolv-
ers in their satchels. Everybody eX-
a bloody fight.
While Tillman was speaking his
opponent arose and asked him how
old he was when the war closed and
why he was not in the Confederate
army. Tillhan turned upon General
Earle in a fury. A hundred fingers
were on triggers. There was a NOM
ent of silence. The new leader declar-
ed that he was sick in bed when the
war closed.
Tillman Won the Day.
"As for your insinuations of cow
ardice and lack of patriotism" he
shouted at his adversary, 81 spit them
out at YOU, and spurn you and them