Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-10-07
CAN'T TALKS POLITICS
Reform UpheaVal IS in Brief Re-
view.
The COMING and GOING OF TILLMAN
Fierce Clash Between Opposing Ele-
ments and its Modifing Results on
the Life of the State-Batte May be
Renewed Under Capable Leader.
Renewed Under c;

Renewed Under Capable Leader.
To understand the political revolu-
ton in South Carolina that resulted
in the triumph of Ben Til!man and the
Reform faction, one must know the
early history of the state and the
characteristics of its people. The
lower and seacoast counties were
largely settled by Cavaliers from Eng
land and Huguenots from France, the
former driven to the New World by
the triumph of Cromwell and the lat
ter by the revocation of the Edict Of
Nantes by Louis XIV. They were
brave ana chivalrous people, who
brought with them to their new homes
n firm belief in the rule of blood and
intelligence: and naturally considered
themselves the chosen rulers OF the
lard. They were men of wealth and
1 large slave owners. Several middle
counties, notably Lexington and New
berry, were settled by Dutch from
Holland. n very superior race Of pee
pie, staunch Protestants and strong
adhereIts of popular liberty. The
Piedmont and upper counties were
settled by Scotch, Scotch-Irish and a
sprinkling Of other nations from Eng
land and Northern Europe. The melt
ing pot in South Carolina began its
work before the Revolution, and by
blending Of different nationalities.
superior race of people were the re-
suit / do not believe there is sec
ton IL our Republic where the inhab-
itants arc so thoroughly American as
in the old Palmetto state, or Is there
any part of our Union with so little
alien and Latin blood. They are brave,
patriotic and liberty-loving and some
of the greatest statesmen, jurists and
warriors of America were South Car
oinians. Three of the heroes OF the
Alama, Travis, Bowie and Bonham,
were natives of this state.
The up-country was considered q
poor section with few slave owners,
and it was not until after our Civil
WtLE, "ltI IlIS DNNuAiAS q
teeming hive of industrial and aSri-
cultural development, that its people
began to assert their power and de-
mand an equal share in the govern
ment OF their state.
Before our civil war South Carolina
was what might be termed as aris-
tocrat:c government controlled by its
s'avc-owning class. Under the ole
form of government, the people elect
ed their representatives in the legis
lature, which body named the state
officers rs also judges, congressman
and senators. And under the old ap-
portionmert, the lower counties were
given a prcponderating influence and
controlled the legislature. For lorg
years the upper counties accepted this
injustice, feeling a pride in the able
and incOrruptible men selected TO rule
over them. Ben T.. Perry, Of Green
vile, was the first man to demand p
rew deal, and that more power be
given the pain, common people who
populated tho up-coUrtry. But our
civil war put an end 10 this agitation
ard then the reconstruction era and
nero rulc kept the whites united in
one solid phalanX. But as the Fed
mont and middle counties grew in
wealth and population, their demand
for increased power was renewed; es-
pccially after South Carolina had been
redeemed from negro and carpet bag
rule. But the great work of Wade
Hampton, NJ. G. Butler, Mart Gary and
other brave and patriotic Carolinians,
rCprcscntating the old regime, held
tn, people together, and when tn
Democrats rCgainCd control of their
state government the old plan of class
rule WAS resumed. \ few families
dictated every office holder and they
were passed around in certain fami-
lies. II was charged that tho It'll" 20
certain high officers was as inherent
HS landed estates.
benjamin Il. Tillman was q plain
ard unsuccessful farmer Of EGgcitcld
county, but belonged 10 n highly re-
soectCd and old family. He used to
pcddlc truck from his farm and dairy
over Augusta. During the negro in
3urr2vtion that was crushed by tire
Hamburg riot, Tillman commanded
u cOmrany and gained some notoricty.
1t is said that Tillman lost his eye
from being harpOoned by the fin Of
catfish while bathing in the Savan-
nah river. just before our civil war.
He first gained some notoriety by
writing articles in support of the
farmers movement, then being organ
lied. but was not looked upon as an
orator 1t is said that his first public
speeches were almost failures.
The death of Clemson. who married
g daughter of John c. Calhoun, ana
who left the old Calhoun farm and 4
considerable sum Of money to an ag-
ricultural college, was the first spark
ihat started the blaze that swept over
Suuth Carolina and revOlutionlZed the
political status Of the state. Tillman
advocated an acceptance Of the Glenn
son bcqucst, which the ruling element
l.. = ,.l,n fE.A