The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-09-03


broad in the land and "our set" has
been after all the Offices as hereto
fore. The old animosities have con-
tinued to exist, and men in. the two
resulting factions have continued to
boast of the fact that they have voted
fer their factions straight, and with
out regard to the merits of the men
offering for Office.
Mr.. Blaine's Indictment.
It must be said with regret that
the great middle classes of the peo-
pie, and the thoughtful men on the
two extremes of the old divisions in
this state have proved the truth of
Mr.. Blaine's indictment against the
people of South Carolina, that though
they are willing to fight and die in
war, in the affairs of civil life, they
are wanting in that moral courage
which is so necessary to fight the dem
agogue, and the fire-eater when he
shows his head. The conservative
majority, instead of asserting itself,
is content to allow the fight to be
made between self-seeking politi-
clans, and, themseles, line up with
the one party or the other, rather
than organize an independent fight,
not for individuals, but for the good
of the state. Perhaps one reason is
that heretofore man who has not
been at the throat of every other man
of an opposing faction has been un-
able in the politics of South Carolina
to get the public ear. Whatever the
cause, the rampant politician in South
Carolina, and the one willing to ap-
peal to the factional feeling on the
one hand, or on the other, has for the
most part been the accepted leader
of one part Of the people, and his
antagonist has been also of the same
qualities. The modest man, the even
tempered man, the conservative we'll
wisher of the state however great his
ability and patriotism has had poor
day in the past. But it will not be
ever thus.
Looking Forward. .
It is to this thought that we are un-
dertaking to give out attention. A
new day awaits the people of South
Carolina if the good people will do
their part. We have just elected a
governor of the state, who refused to
run for office as factional politi-
clan. That he won by so handsome
majority in this state shows that
the great middle classes of the people
and the more thoughtful people of the
two extremes have put on their think
ing caps and are capable of doing the
right thing. That this portion of the
people in the state is growing is
cause for congratulation. There is
enough of the people in this state,
who think rightly, and who are will
ing for the best men to 60 into office
and rule the state, there is enough
of them to govern South Carolina if
they will only summon their moral
courage and convictions, and refuse
20 be led around by the nose by self
seeking representatives of decadent
aristocracy, or to be deceived by the
self-seeking demagogue.
Whether Bleaseism or whatever you
may call the "ism", or anti-Blease-
ism, is to die in South Carolina and
the people come into their own is
going to depend very largely on the
administration of Robert A. Cooper.
Mr.. Cooper has had little opportunity
to assert himself as a leader in pub
lie matters. He has had, himself,
to make the uphill fight for place
in life. But he has done it faithful
ly, honestly, capably, Loyalty, and, in
our humble judgment, always with an
eye for the good Of the state. He
has the people behind him who wish
him mighty we'll. He has the chance
to become the leader of the great
honest-thinking, honest-acting and
state-loving people of South Carolina.
The people will follow him if he