Alexandria Gazette

That a persistent effort is being made to break the solid South is apparent to all, and certain it is that the republicans encourage dissensions among the democrats in even local affairs in this section and take every advantage that results from these breaks by assisting independent movements. But they strike higher in State affairs. That Senator McLaurin is attempting to Mahoneize South Carolina is evident. It will be remembered that Senator Mahone said on the floor of the Senate that he was a better democrat than Ben Hill and then proceeded to vote and work with the republican Senators. The whole weight of the administration was then thrown in his favor in Virginia and he had federal power and patronage at his command. Now the scene shifts to South Carolina and at Trenton last night Senator Tillman from his home, issued a statement to the democratic voters of the State in which he accuses Senator McLaurin of having the dispensation of federal patronage at his disposal by the republican President and unlimited money furnished by his republican allies or McKinley democratic followers in South Carolina; and his purpose was to go up and down the State, unopposed and unanswered, to organize his new political machine."

History repeats itself.