The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1921-10-04
STORIES OF OUR SOUTHLAND
Tillmsnism and the Political Revclu-
tion in South Carolina


olution in South Carolina that result.
ed in the triumph of Ben Tillman anG
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
latter by the revocation Of the Edict
of Nantes by Louis XIV. They were
brave and ch;yalrous people, who
brought with them to their new homes
a firm belief in the rule of blood and
intelligence; and naturally considered
themselves the chosen rulers of the
land. They were men Of wealth and
large slave-owners.- Several middle
counties, notably. Lexington and New
berry, were settled by Dutch from
Holland, very superior race of peo-
pie, staunch Protestants and strong
adherents of popular liberty. The
Piedmont and upper counties were
settled by Scotch, Scotch-Irish and
sprinkling of. other nations from Eng
land and Northern Europe. The
melting pot in South Carolina began
its work before the Revolution, and
by blending of different nationalities,
q superior race of people were the
result. / do not believe there is a
section in our Republic where the in
habitants are so thoroughly Ameri-
can 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 carolinians. Three Of the he
roes of the Alamo, Travis, Bowie and
Bonham, were natives of this State.
The up-country was considered g
poor section with few slave owners,
and it was not until after our Civil
war, when the Piedmont. became &
teening hive of industrial and agri
cultural development, that its people
began to assert their power and de-
n1and an equal share in the govern
nent of their State.
Before our civil war South Caro-
lima was what might be termed an
aristocratic government controlled by
its slave-owning class. Under the old
form of government, the people elect
ed their representatives in the legis-
lature, which body named, the State
officers as also judges, congressman
and senators. And under the old ap-
portionment, the lower counties were
given preponderating influence and
controlled the legislature. For long
years the upper counties accepted this
injustice, feeling a pride in the able
and incorruptible men selected to rule
over them. Ben F. Perry, of Green
vile, was the frsti man to demand
new deal, and that more power be
given the plain, common people who
populated the up-country. But our
civil war put an end to this agitation
and then the reconstruction era and
negro rule kept the whites united IN
one solid phalanx. But as the Pied
mont and middle counties grew IN
wealth and population, their demand
for increased power was renewed;
especially after South Carolina had
been redeemed from negro and carpet
bag rule. But the great work of
Wade Hampton, NJ. C. Butler, Mart
Gary, and other brave and patriotic
Garolinians, representating the Old
regime, held the people together, and
when the Democrats regained control
of their State government the old
plan of class rule was resumed. A
few families dictated every once
holder and they were passed around
4. in certain families. It was charged
that the title to certain high offices
was as inherent as landed estates.
Benjamin r. Tillman was plain
and unsuccessful farmer of Edgefeld
county, but belonged to a highly re-
spected and old family. He used to
peddle truck from his farm and dairy
over Augusta. During the negro
insurrection that was crushed by the
Aaron Burr riot, Tillman commanded
company and gained some notorlety.
1t. is said that TilEman lost his eye
from being harpooned by the fin OF a
catfish while bathing in the Savan-
nah river, just before our civil war
He first gained some notorlety by
-,-r;+;,o. or+ic1aS in SUPPORT OF the