Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE INDIFFERENT CITIZEN. Oration Which Won tho South Caro lina Intercollegiate Contest. The following oration, delivered by H. S. Petrea, of Newberry Col lege, at the oratorical contest (South Carolina Intercollegiate) last April, makes one of the best contributions, pertinent and applicable to our times and conditions, that have ap peared in print. Wo publish this in the hope that every reader of The Courier will study lt closely, lt ls worthy of the deepest thought and consideration: Tho Indifferent Citizen. Peace has her enemies no less dan gerous than those of war. The past two decades of peace, prosperity and plenty have dulled tho edge of civic responsibility. Inning this period lhere has been a growing disposition upon th? part of thc better element of American citizens to abstain from politics. In nearly every election, national. State and municipal, more qualified voters refrain from voting than would be necessary to change .the result. Croat. Issues, fraught with consequence of the highest im port, are often permitted to be car ried by minorities. By actual sta tistics, one-third of our qualified vot ers did not vole in the Presidential election of 1908. Moreover, this large percentage Is composed largely of the best men of the country. Th indifferent citizen may be a good man, but a poor citizen. He is the respectable man in easy circum stances-the industrious ?" "hanie, the laborious farmer, tho sein? ?, the prosperous merchant, the profession al man--in short, the moral, lelig ious and cultured classes, those who form the very sinew and substance of the State. Indeed, the disinter ested, honest and upright citizen who cannot be bribed, is most Inactive and rarest found nt the primaries and polls. But the selfish and cor rupt citizen, who has some personal end to subserve and can be bought, will never be absent from the polls on election days. But the Indifferent citizen is not necessarily one who fails to vote. A man of intellectual eminence and moral worth who refuses to enter public life because there Is corrup tion in politics ls of all citizens most Indifferent to his country's welfare. Tho nation is in serious peril whose best men confine themselves to a fu gitive and cloistered political virtue, I'.p ? UH iou criticism and denunciation toward the correction of the evils they decry, and leave the actual work to be done by the Ignorant and Incompetent. No man, however good, can excuse himself from participa tion In politics because of tho cor ruption therein. For good mon to fill thc pulpit ls the highes! honor. For thom to see the Governor's chair is no disgrace. Por all such Indifference to civic responsibl'ity there can bo no ex cuse. The real reason for it ls that men are too deeply engrossed in pri vate pursuits to discharge their civic duties. We sow and reap; buy and sell; and practice the professions, with little regard whatever for gov ernment. When Mr. Bryan lectured in the great wheat bell last Bummer, he spoke one day whore a "good wheat train" was scheduled to stop. His hearers were a few women and children ; the men were over at tho station learning how to raise large crops. "What's the iso of politics when WO can get some advice on sowing wheat?" one farmer pul it. About this same time the two lead ing newspapers of Kansas asked their readers to send post H card opinions as to the President's duty In regard to the free wool bi!'. Of 10,000 thus requested, only live re plied. This preoccupation of our best and most prosperous citizens with their private affairs is to-day the ureater impediment lo just and efficient government, Good men. within whose power and privilege it S- to control government, have be come absorbed in selfish interests, Professional politicians have pushed tc? Hie front, have gathered the /otes of selfish mon. and ill the night of civic sleep have ascended tc? thc thrones of civil power. Who is to blame? livery voter is responsible for the kind of rulers under whom he lives, if, as n result of ins vote, n godless Governor is in office, ho is responsible, it ho did not vote, then he did nothing u? keep tho bad man ont of office and ho ls therefore equally responsible with Hu* man whose voie helped to pul the bad man in power. Men may for a while attend to their little private affairs alone, bul they cannot al ways neglect their government, which alone makes possible all their private Interests. It is high time for somo Southern States to raise less cotton and raise better men to public office. Such civic Indifference would not be BO perilous, if it extended only to ? the Ignorant and Incompetent. But . the appalling truth ls that civic apa thy ls most prevalent among that very element of citizens which I? most essential to the maintenance of pub lic purity and a high standard of cit izenship, lt is the Christian, the cultured man, and respectable, well meaning men who neglect their civic duties. Each thinks himself too good and high-toned to "babble In the dirty pool of politics." But he is a poor Christian Indeed who is not a civic Christian. The best Christians of any community ought to bo Its best citizens. Soon or late, the Christian disciple must face tho alternatives; either he must refrain from all participation In politics; or he must make bis civil acts thc ex pression of bis Christian convictions. Never before to-day has he had such an opportunity to mako his virtue count for thc common good. Civic corruption challenges Christian courage and this crisis hour calls for Christian men to enter public lifo and to set up the standard of Christian citizenship. To disobey the call is a crime against the Com monwealth, the Church and Cod. Qood men have no right to refrain from participation in political af fairs on the ground that there is corruption in politics. The obliga tion is thereby made the more Im perative upon thom to como for ward and redeem politics. Corrup tion can noly beget corruption. Vir tue alone can conquer vice. Politi cal abuses will never reform them selves. Hood men must do it. The only thing that, can save tho nation in permanent purity and patriotism in politics is tile intelligent and per sistent activity of good men behind die ballot. There is no victory in retreat. We can never concilier evils hy ignoring them. We must leave our tents of ease behind anil enter tho light. The Nazarene did not in augurate his redemptive mission among the saints of heaven, but among the worst, people on the plains of Palestine. Nor can the good men of America inaugurate a movement for civic righteousness in tho home and church where there are no political evils. They must, go down to the primaries and polls and there face and fight the foe on equal terms. The man who refrains from this battle for public, purity benefits his country of its integrity and be trays it into the hands of evil men. Peace has her traitors as well as v . T:, dUfVi <MU ls tre\>on ti. e o'" the A ) gbod '"ion tr? ? I responsible for present political evils, lt is not the running stream of public spirit, but tile stagnant pool of contented Indifference that breeds disease in the body politic. America can no more have a good, (dotiti, efficient government with one third of lier citizens indifferent to her decency and efficiency than a man can have a good, strong, healthy body witli one-tihrd of its members inactive Indifference makes all thc difference bot ween good and bad government. Indifference invites ?(irruption. And corruption will con tinue as long as good men condone it >y their indifference. Bad govern ment is due not to the few corrupt nen in office. lt is due to rlght nlnded men who believe in right eousness but let unrighteousness ?eign. Political corruption indi cates not alone the high-water mark if crime, but the low-water mark of ndolent civic, virtue. No matter mw vigorous may be tile spoken ?r?test against it. if that protest ls mt accompanied by equally vigorous (induct, corruption will continue ind increase. A protest ol' words an never equal a protest of the bal ot. Criticism is all right. Bul Hie nen who make for good, clean gov .rnment speak to us in deeds, not voids. lt is not the man who sits ty Iiis fireside reading his evening ?aper and saying "What we ticed is food men in politics," who will ever lo anything to save us. lt is the nan who goos out into the actual tattles ol' practical politics and here meets and greets and boats he foe of Iiis home and country. Civic sleep bas Imperilled not only ree government, but every calling ol' Ifo. Pour tilings there tire .', hicli mike a people groat: the home, the burch, Hie school and the State, tut standing back of all these, mili ng possible and safeguarding each, s tho Slate. Por this safety the bal ot ls given every voter, ami lie is Hider sacred obligation to exercise t. In no way eau lie purchase lm nttnlty, Back of that ballot is the oter, back ol' the voter is the State, md back of thc State is Cod, enforc ng this fundamental obligation in lie unperverted conscience. The rh Ole structure of society depends ipon Hie proper exercise of the bal ot. And no man has ti right to vole br an unworthy candidate. No man ins a right not to vote for a worthy .andidate. No man bas a risht to refrain from politics because of .he inpleasant features. No man nude? i 8. C'S TIIIRI> FJuECl HOt t ION. Jului Colo Paid Penalty for ? -frier. Was Heady to Go. Columbia, Aug. 22.- rhou >t positively admitting t) was guilty of tho crime with ?/l ?te was charged, there was * not ' im plied confession in :i si. i . nt which John Cole, a co? ricfj? i gro murderer, made just pri?j to bis electrocution at the S i tl I te n tiary this morning. The COI "nr ed man was placed In the deaf, bair at five minutes after 1' >'.h \. 'he current was turned on ut i 1 :' nod tho negro was pronounced i In ono minute by tho prit ti pl ician. After tho straps had be?ii i 3d about the legs, arms and bdo ,r ?he negro and tho iron helen i ! boon affixed to his head, Capt. th asked If tho condemned mai md a statement to make, ami vas N ir ed In the alllrmatlve. Tl;. head piece was quickly loosened nd the negro made thc following .'. neut: "I see many of my own co' re this morning, and I a ri ,1;, oe them. 1 want to say I . VOL is a warning to you all. Von ist be particular what you do. Of mrse, I'm going to my Jesu ah?' ant tb say before I go tba' oh be particular, for you se-- wht un now. I want, to than! ? hos? ds and men who have ko] ne 'or what they have done im iey have treated me all ?H I wish them good luck. \nd .an here who has charge ( .il ott't want him to think thc t th! * /e's cruel for doing this. I'trlft his duty and he has got to lp ii. I > isb him good luck and m V ? \. : ?rd bless him and all of \'0\\\ ?pe we'll meet over yond< ' 1 he negro paused, and Cap . Grill Jk ed if he were through 'Y?> was the reply, and in anotl he lethal current had sent i :?- ito eternity. any circumstances has : ! re tire to his private aft ah ? ect of civic duties. All thal lc las been secured to him his government. And th< i ves it must bc paid at the lal ox, not at the tax collect, . In the words of another ves his country stjves him-elf: t all things, and all things ess him; who lets his con uti. ets all things die, dies hims?l :>ly, and ull Ihfngj dying otiift8Q.:hlm.:'' j There i; .i i)??? In th--, m..ivs of'j every nation which, -ufu M. .bo j Moud, lends ort io righ': fiif. eeid j ;.. . ' "i ?-' !>:?i a fui' sea \. .i t> i nu? aduai, aud our li il ''.'< i .!,. tl zens, the good men, a' ot the ship ot State safelj Vt this crucial hour AUK [io cs are in a chaotic state. es are breaking up. Tl de political forces are fas to a crisis Tho clash ? ig armies will soon conn ia! Ill the issue be? Shall w upi ly by while vicious voters ,rs of State with vicious all we, "the heirs of all tl he foremost files of time,' ck to bow down before th ?B pots whom our forefat .<? Is patriotism dead? ?< >r gotten our sacred debt . >r ation who freely spei id nd treasure that they mig down to us this priceless prL I i >e man's vote? All sham- ?: . . nee to the man who is t ..? tlc to use it! Our batt! ow be fought: with tho bf >. Ith bayonets and bullets. . ilry'a crisis eall bas come. is Already on. The supi . om for advancement has strm (ie 11 ness of time has come nd ye Idle? Forward, ci I he (Iring line! This is t jit idle In the market p, \ or vour country's call. "Ci /e us men ! Men who, when the te thors [?rasp tlx? standard of s In the thickest fight; Men who strike for ho ii ir] iHar ( Lei the coward criag ia il ter) ; Prnth as truth, tho' lorn i lou ly, render-as the brave Men who tread when i . ve trod. Men for country-rlgll I 0 -.* ?talo of Ohio, City of Toi et h. Lucas County. I'rauk J. Cheney ma < it ie is senior partner of F. I. Cheney & Co., doin i . . In he city of Toledo, cou 1 St to iforesaid, and that sn (ll my the sum of Ono Hun Do rs or each and every ea; 'h hat cannot he cured 1 >f lad's Catarrh Cure. Frank Sworn to beforo mo b .d In my presence, th I >f December, A. D. 1880. (Seal.) A. W. Not Hall's Catarrh Curo n icrnally and acts dire? io ulood and mucous sui io ry stem. Send for testl e. F. J. Cheney & Co., Sold by all druggists Tako Hall's Family ' rj itipatlon. STABLE PRICK ANI> MARKETING. Farmern' Union Address on tho Cot ton SH uutloii. The following address has been Is sued to the farmers, merchants and bankers: Beginning with last September the South, with dire disaster threatening the nation's greatest money crop, has been engaged in one of the greatest economic struggles In her history. The last year ended with a commercial victory that perhaps saved millions of dollars to the grow ers of cotton and to those whose bus iness interests aro absolutely depend ent upon cotton and a fair price for that commodity. Tho South is now facing another cotton crop year and already the in fluences that have heretofore been at play, at will, to manipulate the mar keting of this commodity, which brings back from Europe to this country $500,000 annually. and upon which the stability of -Ameri can finance and the balance of the world's trade In favor of the nation depend, are again at work, ns Is evi denced by the depression of the prices of cotton to the extent of $10 per bale in the last ten days. The real light, for proper market ing and greater stability of price must now be fought, and it rests with the producing, hanking and commercial interests of thc South to push tliat tight upon sound, economic lines, based upon business principles applicable to changing international commercial relations. The time for decisive and concert ed action has arrived. It has occurred to the undersign ed that no more appropriate day for tlie taking of such action throughout the communities of the cotton belt States could bc selected for the pur pose than .Monday, September 2, which ls Labor Day. It ls eminently proper that upon this day, which ls a national and State holiday, those of our people who labor lu the fields to create th?, wealth of the country, should meet with those whose busi ness interests are dependent upon this particular product of the soil, and d?termine upon a fixed policy in the matter of marketing of the 1912 cotton crop. We unhesitatingly and most earnestly call upon every banker In the South, and particularly In this State, to make such financial arrangements that will enable the ban''?" *" w-v-?" 'V; ...,ov> -lid as iv Ul make i'. possible tor him io avoid the placing ol SI) his rotten i.po? the m.Vrket ac ono H' v I? the .vv.?y f?li ? mblfu? htm (xis?ead to vantage. We would call the atten tion of tho bankers and business men who are Interested in the banks to the fact that even if the banks did not get one cent of profit for ad vances to farmers for this purpose on cotton, the increased volume of busi ness would more than recompense them. We wish to take this occasion to commend those banks In this and other States which last season, .se cured the necessary money to loan to the farmers, and especially do we commend those banks and bankers, which this season, have come for ward and announced similar arrange ments. Other Calls Urged. Wo most earnestly call upon the Commissioners of Agriculture of the several States of the cotton belt and the Presidents of tho several State Farmers' Unions to issue calls simi lar to this one for meetings on Sep tember 2, to the farmers, merchants ind bankers of their respective States, for the execution of the pur pose outlined above. Realizing the impending danger ind onslaught that is being made iipon the markets by the manipulat ing forces, we have after most care ful deliberation, determined to issue this most earnest call, which we de dre to be understood as directed to ?ach individual farmer, each mer man! and each banker lo assemble it such meetings as are suggested on Labor Day and give this matter the nost careful and thoughtful consid eration. We wish all to bear in mind that asl year, though the Farmers' Un ion began In August, it was Impos able to secure the co-operation we ire now seeking. This year with hat experience as a guide tho work A-as begun as early as .lune. Could ,vo lia ve had earnest and active co >peratton last season such as we are low asking and securing an addl lonal $10.000.000. at least, would lave been saved to the farmers of South Carolina alone, and that, too, vilhout any oilier State working on he same line. Tho Thoughtless Fannel'. In conclusion we wish to Impress ts forcibly as we know how upon the ?rodueers the fact that tho greatest illy that the speculative element who vouid hammer down the. price of otton relies upon, is the thoughtless armer, who without regard to his ?rother producer's welfare, unloads iii of his cotton upon the market at .inopportun? und advised moments, j Wo wish furthe on the Other hand, ? to imjiress upo. Iv hankers and merchants of V louth that it is not only tho securing of tiie necessary money that should be their misssion, ! but that their most heal ty and earn-' est co-operation should be extended -that they Bhould realize that the foundations of their success rests upon cotton, and that if cotton is marketed in accordance with the policy outlined, then, and then only, will the circulating medium In the Southern States be materially In creased; In other words, unless this policy be pursued we will experience what we have already experienced a number of times, the marketing of a large crop of good quality at several ! millions of dollars less to the South I than sucli crops would have brought could they have been sent to mar ket gradually. We realize, for we have had rea son to fully appreciate the services rendered lu the past, that no matter what the farmer, the merchant and the banker may do, nothing can be accomplished tn this vital undertak ing without the fullest and freest co operation of the press of the South. That co-operation we are proud to say has never failed. We do not be lieve lt will fail now; indeed, we know lt will not. i ES. .7. Watson, Commissioner of Agriculture and President Southern Cotton Con- i gross. E. W. Dabbs, President S. C. Farmers' Union. R. M. Cooper, .lohn L. McLaurin, J. M. Brogdon, R. T. C. Hunter, W. O. Tatum, S C. Farmers' Union Committee on ! Cotton Warehousing, Marketing I and Banking. Dr. C. H. Ellsworth, dentist, 16 Baldwin street, Rochester, N. Y., I says Foley Kidney Pills gave him j immediate relief and strengthened him wonderfully. ''1 have been both ered with weak kidneys and bladder troublo and suffered much pain. Fo ley Kidney Pills gave mo Immediate relief and strengthened me wonder fully. I am pleased to recommend their use." J. W. Bell. $15,000,000 for Now Mills. David Clark, editor of the South ern Textile Bulletin, of Charlotte, N. C., is authority for the statements that the machine shops now have or r-,r fon in*1 additional splifdb*? Vor southern mills* and thai, tbi machinery w|H ' vi.-. I Hied, represent, including ' buildings. <in Inveatnwht of $i .ono,.. j UU?, These figures break all records and show a prosperous condition of the industry. About Sf> per cent of this machin ery is for additions to existing plants, which indicates that the mills now operating must be doing so upon a j profitable basis. It also means that the new machin ery will be operated by successful and experienced men, with well or ganized forces, and will not be sub ject to the risks incident to new cor porations. These additional spin dles will give the South about 13, 500,000 spindles against 10,500,000 spindles in the North. MOTHER OF LARGE FAMILY Tells How She Keeps Her Health - Happiness For Those Who Take Her Advice. Scottville, Mich. -"I want to tell you how much good Lydia E. Pinkham's Veg etableCompound and Sanativo Wash havo , done mo. I live on a :^ farm and have worked very hard. I am forty-five years old, and am the mother of thirteen children. Many people think it strange that I am not broken down with hard work and the care of my fam ily, but I tell them of my good friend, Lydia IO. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound, and that there will be no back ache and bearing down pains for them if they will take it as I have. I am scarcely ever without it in the house. "I will say also that I think there id no better medicine to be found for young girls. My eldest daughter has taken Lydia IO. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound for painful periods and irregular ity, and it has helped her. "I nm always ready and willinpc to speak n good word for Lydia E. Pink ham's Vegetable Compound. I tell every one I meet that I owe my health and happiness to your wonderful medicine. - Mrs. J. G. JOHNSON, Scottville, Mich., R.P.D. 3. Lydia E. Pinkham's Vegetable Com pound, made from nativo roots and herbs, contains no narcotics or harmful drugs, and today holds tho record of being tho most succoboful remedy for woman's ills known. SALVATION FLAG HALF MAST. Mourning In London for Gen. Booth. King Semis- Message. London, Aug. 21. -Out of respect for the memory of the late Gen. Wil liam Booth, commander-in-chief of the Salvation Army, who died last evening, all (he flags on Salvation Army headquarters throughout the country have been half-masted. At tho International headquarters a stream of messengers bringing tele grams and letters from every part of the globe flowed in all day. One of the first messages was from King George. The obsequies of the late general probably will extend over a week and the funeral will take place probably on August 29th or 30th. The lying tu state ls to be at the Congress Hall, Clapton, the largest building owned by the Salvation Army. The name of the successor of Gen. Booth as commander-in-chief of the Salvation Army probably will be an nounced lu a day or two with much ceremony, according to the late gen eral's expressed wish. Bramwell Booth is Chief. New York, Aug. 21.-William Bramwell Booth, oldest son of the late William Mooth, commander of the Salvation Army, has been ap pointed head of the army to succeed his father. This announcement was made at Salvation Army headquart ers this afternoon upon receipt of a cable message from London. (.'en. William Mooth. (Columbia Record.) In the death of Gen. Mootlt Tues day night the Salvation Army suffer ed a distinct loss, not a material one perhaps, for his work has been so thorough that it can be carried on as it was before his death, but a loss that each and every member of the great army will feel, lt can be said lie did not live in vain. His life was devoted to a good purpose and in years to come, we believe he will be appreciated even more than he is to day. He enjoyed the distinction of being one of the few men whose life wor'' was appreciated before death, The founder and head of tlie Sal vation Army was born at Notting ham, April 10, 1829, and educated at a private school In that town. He studied theology with Rev. William Cooke, D. D., became a minister of the Methodist New Connexion in isr>o and was appointed mostly to hold special eva'ngtdistlc SIM . .'.v.-:. i?o .vhich he felt so strongly 'i-awn l:at \s\.-\i lie conV< < . i .?.<? t'?t i s I ?*?. |u I red bini tb mt ti in i ho ot dinar;* ?ircult? bl work, he I'esiguedi ?'?fd oo gan lils labors as an evangelist unong the churches wherever he had in opportunity. Coming in this ca pacity to the Hast Hud of London he observed that the vast majority of the people attended no place of wor ship, and he started "The Christian Mission" in July, 1865. To this mis don when it had become a large or ganization, formed upon military lines, he gave, in 1S7S, the name, of 'The Salvation Army," under which lt soon became widely known, and grew rapidly until it had at the be ginning of liiGO, 7,210 posts, under Lhe charge of 16,800 otficers and em ployees, with 45,339 local officers, 18,000 brass band men, and about. "?0,000 musicians. The army was >rganized In 49 countries and colo llcs, and from the international headquarters In Victoria street, Lon lon, Gen. Booth directed his affairs. Gen. Booth established "The War 2ry" as a weekly gazette of the or ganization in 18S0. The paper is low published in more than 200 lan guages and has a total weekly circu lation exceeding 1,200,000. The irmy maintains about 7 00 social re lief institutions in various parts of the world, under the charge of nearly l.ooo officers and employees. About. r.000 fallen women annually pass through the 116 rescue homes, and, iccording to the army's reports, ibout sr? per cent of those aro per manently restored to lives of virtue. There are 132 slum settlements in lio slum districts of great cities. The number of annual conversions in .onnootion with Ibo spiritual work is .eported as averaging from 200,000 o 250,000 during tho pant ten years, unking a total of over 2,000,000, of vhom not less than 20o,000 were .onverted from lives ol' drunkenness. In tho early career of the Salva ion Army Gen, Booth and his fol owers were the objects of much rld cule. 'Tlie KI root meetings and the net hods of the army In general were oohed upon as sensational and often he forces were hard pressed by pcr tecutlon or prejudice. But the or ganization prospered und when its lim and work became better known, ni bl ic sentiment underwent a mange. Gen. Booth made several trips iround tho world, visiting America, Australia, and other parts, and every where he was well received. "I .suffered habitually from constl lation. Dean's Regnlets rellovod and trongtheued tue bowels so that, they lave been regular ever since."--13. Javis, grocer, Sulphur Springs, TeX.