Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

eaaaff^ssW-p* THK STMTFR \\ All ii MAN, Estob'i Consolidated Aug. 2,1 THE STATE CONVENTION. PATRIOTISM not politics Ol t standim. II \ 11 iii of NNRIM of HBMO> chats. Ki % in >te of All S|*ce?'he* Was f<o.valt> und Determination tu Win ihr War ?-Till naii MukiN Aihlrree Outlining Reasons fur S4?i-klng Reflection. Columhiu, May 16.?John G UP] Kvuna wu yesterday again elc< t? *?l chairman ui the State Democratic executive committee and don. Willi Jone? of Columbia treasurer. A>h . ley C Toblua, Jr.. of Columbia was roolected eecretary of the committee The convention was called to order promptly at lj o'clock by John Gojr) Ryans, State chalrinan ot the mm tlve committee. Prayer was offered by Rev. Thornton Whaling. D. D., President of the Columbia Theological Seminnty Mr. Kvans reported that no contents or protests had been brought to the attention of the com BSftOSi Proceeding to organize, the name of W P Pollock of Oheraw was placed in nomination for temporary piealdent of the convention, Hm Domination being made by (Jeorge K. Ijiney. State senator from Chesver fleld county. Mr Pollock was unani mouely elected temt?orary president. J Wd?on Olbl.eM of Columbia ai d Henry O. Senseney of Charleston were nominated temporary secretaries, the organisation calling for two. and A K. Hutchinson of York being elected re.idtng clerk. On motion of John C Sheppard of Kdgefleld the temporary organisation was then made permanent and the keynote speech of the convention was then made t.v Mi Pollock. His theme was the necessity for pure Americanism In this present na? tional crisis. During tho course of his address. Mr Pollock denounced In scathing terms "the man who so for? got h.s nun hood as to soy It made no difference what kind of America we have after he is dead and gone. Mr Pollock declared he could not think of a more damnak.e utterance than that. Thunderous applause greeted this re anark. and applause and cheers burst forth again when the speaker declar? ed. "Ood pity auch a man. And if he does not repent, may the devil take hla soul and burs It forever and a day " "I feel like addressing you more sa my fellow Amen-ans than as my fellow democrats," began Mr. Pollock We have met hi re under SOStditlOlia auch a* South CoroHOO has oovoi known before. The white people of the State have gathered to represent not only democracy bot AmOPteontsm throughout ASSOrieO and the world." Thla la no time for partisan poll tics." declared Mr. Pollock. "This is a meeting of American people having but one purpose, the betterment ol humanity the preservation of civil;xa tlon and the liberty lot which out forefathers fought more than 100 years ago. Would that in the heart* of every man in South Carolina, re gardleaa of (action m regardless of Color, there SierS nothing savi the best Interests of the nation and would that every man were loyal to the stars and stripes, for over 100 year the beacon light of the world. We have at this time, fortunateb for the democratic party and Ameri? ca, presiding over the destinies ot America that Incomparable statesman ? Woodrow Wilson " Much applause greeted this statement The speaker pointed out th.if the SOPIQQTOU ha v ? also control In thi house and senate ami told how the South Carolina dele gallon m the national democratic Convention six yeurs ago stood solidh for WlteOS first, hist and all the time. He reviewed the slrSOSaOtSOOSl IUI loundtng the ?,?,;inning of the w a r ?ng riow the cloud Hist rose in Serbia, then how iman hordes awept westward, committing Street* flea anil outrages that startled and shocked the world. Ho wished that America hid gone into the war 'hen he said, to i\en ? thea*' outrages, but It wss r ot to be The n itlon hid verv small army and navy, the peopk wer* not UTOOOSd, WllOOO bided hll tlin# Tie speaker reviewed the sink log of ships by the Hermans, the L.isi tanla. the Sussex sinkings and the creation of the submattne gOOSM when Hermany told America she could ?#nil ships to Knglnnd only SSM day O week "Then we told <lerman\ aha could go to hell SjjSSO Soyi ? week." declared Mr Polio. I:, amidst applause und OtaSOfOj "THI me we had no muse for war'." asked the spe i k er. "Tell me flu president whs wrong In asking fo> a declaration of war When von find m thing that wears tue?>i ties, ho das Urdly oowardly as not to be willing mm*a April, mo. "it* ?n?? ? 881. t?> tight Tor the cause of America then I Hiiy, to h II with that man, along with thf Hunoburgl and the Hohenzollerns. "There here been men who have -I unncd their government," Mr. Pol? lock continued. "There have been men, or a man. in South Carolina, who so far forgot his manhood, if he had any manhood left, as to say that it makes no difference what kind of America we have after he is dead and gegM, 1 can't think of a more rtamnahh utterance." Here the speak | was interrupted by prolonged cheers and applause. "What of his wife, what of your wife, what of your children," nc continued. "Does It make no difference what kind of gov? ernment we have for generations yet i nborn'.' Hail that been the spirit of the soldiers of the American revolu? tion, this convention would not now be assembled here; you would now be under the heel of u tyrant, and the ( diets of a kaiser or a COUr would go forth as the law of the land." ' (?oil pity such a man. And if he does no*, repent, may the devil take his soul and hum it forever and a day. The hearts of Americans are tiue, and they will always be true ex? cept when they are led astray by a damnable demagogue." \S I hart at home have a duty to perform," continued Mr. Pollock. "Only about 2 per cent of the Ameri? can youth have donned the khaki - 98 per cent, are still at home. Every man who is disloyal back here at home might just as well stick a knit" In the back of the young men wh<> hpve gone to fight as to utter a single ^disloyal word. "We are not going to send to the senate or to congress, or put in any position of responsibility any m. n who is not at least 101 per cent loyal to America and her aims in this war." Speaking of the aims of America. Mr. Pollock declared' that while they might not suit the alms of the 'damnal' pacifists" they did suit the men who were loyal to America's aause. and who desired to preserve civilization. Christianity and to pro? tect humanity from the ? m roaeh aoni of Prusslanism. "1 will never be satisfied with a patched up peace." Mr. Pollock de ufod. "America win never be sat? isfied if c.erinnny is left with a great military machine. We will never he aaAieAed until the flags of America, Hi itain. Kranee and their allies go forward and are placed upon the ram paits of Perlln. We will never be mttafled until the Hohenaollern family la Stripped Of power and until all men like William 11ohonaollern, with his Withered arm and cursing his mother. i <? put when? the y can never dis? turb the panes of the world again." Following Mr, Pollock's address, the invention, on motion of B, 1). Blake aey ot KorahnWi invited Senator Tin? man to address the convention. Sen? ator Tlllman was aoeompanied to the roetruMi by Mr. Blaheney, John c. Rheppnrd of Bdgefleld and J, J. Evans of Marlboro. Mr. Tlllman's entrance was received with grant enthusiasm i ml he v/as often applauded while rending bis speech which was as t'ol l lows: Mr. President and Fellow Citizens: Pirat? allow me to thank \ ou for the I reception you have given me, i haven't words sufficient lo sxpreaa In fitting terms the gratitude I feel for the love and trust the people of South Carolina httVa always shown after they came to know me. 1 "found myself" at Hennettsville in III! and began to know for what pur? pose I had been sent into the world. Bvef Since 1 have had only one ob . Ject In life?the honor and welfare of South Carolina and her people. At tiist. I Ufas distrusted because of my radicalism and frankness of speech; hut the people soon learned thaf I was not a hypocrite or a liar and thai thai could depend on what i told them. I served as governor for four years Thea they sent ma to the senate, and have kept me there ever since. Pour \".tiM ago i bade farewell to public Ufa and s.iid to the poOphl of South Carolina i would got again ;>s|< them lo reoloof me My health was pom- and I SOUght tO rest from mv labors until my time cams Dot suddenly and up expei ledlj the war with Germany was forced anon ns Honor, patriotism ind everything that men hold dear were put In jeopardy. There was! nothing for ua lo do but fight (Tndfer thes,. changed conditions i w.?- con fronted with this question "What is my -ints ??? i know that i held the tm portant rhalrmanehlp of the eommlt tee on naval afflalra, and besides, had won the confidence and respect oi mani powerful und Influential men connected with Ihe government This prestige and Influence belonged to thai State more than to me, If I held to od Fear not?Dot ?11 the ende Thon AI SUMTER, S. 0., SATTJ niy announced purpose not to offer for reelection! thai chairmanahlp und nil that went with it would be lost to South Carolina, After thinking it all OVer from all VlCW polntl and consult? ing with many friends, contrary to the expressed wishes and advice of those I hohl dearest?my wife and children ?1 reached the conclusion that the least I could do was to allow the peo? ple of South Carolina to decide for themselves. Consequently, l offered for reelection. 1 thought it was my duty to do so for these reasons: South Carolina now occupies a very enviable position in our public affairs The chairmanship of the committee i on agriculture in the house and the chairmanship of the committee on na? val affairs and the committee on in? terstate commerce in the senate are held by three of its citizens. Long sei vice, hard work and high character alone can win such places. Occasion? ally ' an accident" breaks into the senate, but after nix years he is al? ways eliminated. In the hoc.se things are somewhat different, but in the main the same requirements there as in the senate obtain, in both branches of congress men must win their spurs and be worthy of them to continue long to wear them. On March C I made the announce? ment asking the people of South Car? olina to reeleot me for the llfth time ? something that falls to the lot of few men ami never has fallen to the lot of a South Carolinian In the State's his? tory. 1 do not feel worthy of it my? self, but then circumstances and not I compel the situation. The senatorship belongs to the peo? ple of South Carolina and no man or set of men has any right to pick the man to occupy it. if the majority of the people want any other man, I want them to have him. Recently sinister rumors began to be circulated. These reports were whispered from ear to ear. Most of you have heard them and know to what I allude. I say to you I have not made and I will not make any political deal with any man or set ot men. 1 am In this race to stay and t( win. Other stories have been and are Itlll being industriously circulated The most pitiless and most pitiful one, too, is that I am physically unfit and mentally unlit and that my mind is practically gone. My friends in vari? ous parti of the State have written me repeatedly of things of this sort that they have heard, The only thing thai is of any moment now to you is whether it is true or false, and that is the reason why I am here?to look you in the face and let you see for yourselves my real condition. Even if i ire re able to make speeches on "the hustings" the con? ditions in Washington are such as will make it necessarv for the friends ol I President Wllaon and the Democratic administration to remain at their post of duty. I feel that I ought to remain there and I Will remain there. In my case it ought not to be necessary foi me to canvass the % State, For my public Career and my life are an open 'book and all well informed men In South Carolina already know it. 1 know 1 have done great work for the State in more ways than one. The ' historian will give me credit for oth? er things than the establishment of ClemSOn and Winthrop Colleges. I have been trying to discharge the duties of my office to the best of my ability both before and since I was 'paralyzed. I believe I can do the State more good in the senate now than any other man it could possibly send there. Every man at the navy de? partment and In the senate, too, knows that I am performing my du? ties as senator. The secretary of the navy's own paper, The Raleigh News and Observer, had an editorial in it , Whloh I will give to the press and let the appers publish it or not as they seo fit. When the Democrat! came into power the Democratic caucus saw fit to give the ehairmanshlp of the com? mittee on appropriations to Senator Mai tin. My friends told me the only reason they permitted it was they feared tin* work would kill tne and I was given tin- committee on naval Sffalrs instead. Blnce the war cairn on th.it committee has had as much <>i mote wmk tO do than the commit? tee on appropriations, flaw l have pefomied those duties the world h nows. South Carolinians have never been accustomed to seeing their elections carried by money, and looking back over extended experience I do not remember that any money was exc? used in a primary until 1904 In the second congressional district. Since that time i am sorry to say monej has 'ecu used mote and more lavishly as the vests have passed The prosfltu lion of the primary by the purchase of votes ought to be stamped out mat at be thy Country's, TOy God's ? RDAY, MAY 18, 1918. I now, once and forever. It is a can I cerous growth that should be cut up j by the roots. Naturally 1 do not want to be defeated In my old age, but l had rather go down In defeat than l enter upon the diabolical and crimin? al business of attempting to debauch my fellow citizens. Such conduct is treason. I can justly claim to be the father of the primary system, just as I also claim to have compelled the Demo cratlc State committee to inaugurate I the county to county c.tnvass. I shall not see this destroyed, if I can help it. Blackguards have caused it to 1 descend into a "mud slinging" match. But the people should remember that It'served a good purpose in 1890, when j men like Karle. Bratton and Tillman I were asking them for their votes, and I it may serve o good purpose again. It it is killed, it will be a bad thing ' for the State and will enable the newspapers, too often the tools of capitalists and corporations, to "bamboozle" the people and deceive them. This is the message I bring to my people: the world is passing through I the greatest crisis in history. It re i quires men of wisdom and experience I as well as faith and vision to guide ! the destinies of this nation. The peo? ple of South Carolina will decide whether I or another man shall be elected one of their senators. As your senator now, and as ehalr \ man of the great committee on naval j affairs of the senate, I am proud to say to you that when the test came thOOS of us connected with the navy I could truthfully tell our people "All Is well with the fleet." It has convoy jed through the submarine zone trans? ports carrying more than 500,000 men, land their supplies, and this, too. I without the Iobs of a single man. i Feeling as 1 do, with my record of achievement in the past and with the work I am doing now, I am confident i the people will allow me the prlvi ! lege of serving them further. But. win or lose, I want the voters of this j State to know exactly where I stand II on the one Issue before them?the I! war issue?and on this I can but re 11 peat what I have said before: "To hell with all Herman sympathizers, i and thank flpd for Woodrow Wilson!" i The Flat form Adopted. "In this great crisis which con? fronts our government and all gov ; [ ommsnts of civilized nations of the : world, we congratulate the people o i j the Union that their destinies are i i j the hands of a democratic leadei, whose love of democracy, human lib? erty and Christian civilization has been exhibited in a manner to com? mand the admiration and respect of the people of the world, irrespective i of race or nationality. "We earnestly appeal to our people to realize and recognize that we are engaged in an American war, a war i against imperialism and militarism wherever existing; a war for the preservation and perpetuation of American principles and ideals; for i ; the freedom of commercial relations that will give to our farmers and pro? ducers the right to sell their products ? In the markets of the world and to i obtain therefor a price obtained by j honest competition, free from imper ' iallstc decrees which must lead finally to vassalage, and a return to feudal i ism. "We commend the conduct of out I' representsitives In congress who have been loyal and true to these prin? ciples and who have had the vision to foresee the results of an unsuccessful I termination of this wer, sind who j have had the manhood to support the j President by a declaration of war against the enemies of democracy, i and we pledge our minds, our lives and our resources in securing a vic? tory that will bring a permanent peace to the world. We believe that such a permanent peace can only be obtained by the absolute subjugation of Oermany and her allies. "We recognise In the selective draft act the only fair and equitable means by which our naval and military forces have been recruited and placed upon a war basis, whereby the rich ami poor. the high and low are ! brought to the defense of s common cause, which equally affects us all. ? in meeting the expenses of the , war Which necessarily bear heavily i upon our people, we call upon them to exercise the greatest sei f-clenia I. economy SOd patriotic duty by lend? ing their financial, moral and physi? cal shlllties, which alone can secure a sin ? esshil termination of the war. "We express our unbounded admi? ration for the heroic deeds and en durance Of our country's allies who have borne and are enduring with such splendid fortitude ami courage the hot rots and brutalities of a WOI forced upon them and us hy a brutal and savage foe. We urge upon our md Trnth'e." THE TRUE people to stamp OUt any and all dis loyalty on the part of any of our cit? izens by word or deed, who are con? tributing to the success of our ene? mies and we pledge to our sons who i are bleeding and dying at the front I for our liberties, that our home fires shall be kept burning, and we pray God that they may return to us with the glories of victory upon their arms." Patriotic Speeches. Ex-Governor John C. Sheppard was called upon during one of the com? mittee report "waits" and made an eloquent appeal for support of the government in the present crisis. Mr. Sheppard has two sons in France. "Of course, I am praying for their safe return," he said. "Hut if it please God that they shall fall on the battlefield, the only epitaph I shall ask is this simple inscription: 'Stran? ger, say to the American people that we lie here in obedience to their law.' " Mr. Sheppard says the allies ought to ask that the German emperor and the crown prince be delivered "bodi? ly" that they might be banished to St. Helena or other place of confinement when the war is over. Col. K. H. Watson of Ridge Spring a veteran of the War Hetween the Sections, who has passed his 8 2nd birthday, was next called. The veter? an made an urgent appeal for sup? port of the Red Cross and the Young Men'n Christian Association. He would feel mean if he accumulated one dol? lar this year with so much of the world hungry and naked. The priests and Levites have no place in America, he contended, and such are "not half men." , j John L. McLaurin was invited to speak and opened with several flashes Of artillery against those who had been against the war and were now boasting their patriotism. The people | can be trusted not to elect any man I who hasn't been with the government on the war issues from its declara? tion. No man could support the gov? ernment zealously in the prosecution of the war, who was against Wood row Wilson, as loyalty to Wilson and the government were synonymous., He would oppose his own blood relations, if they were seeking office and had bean unsound on the war. A chorus of calls went up for I^ans D. Jennings of Sumter, who was In? troduced as the "overgrown" twin of I W. P. Pollock. The Sumter patriot ' warned the people against the "oily tongue" this summer. The people should beware that man who had ] heaped ridicule on President Wilson j and the congressmen wlio had voted I that a state of war existed, after re? peated sinking of ships, and who now j was "llrst to move that resolutions of I patriotism be adopted by a rising vote j at county conventions." His eloquent injunction was, "Don't hamper the government by the election of any Ispch disloyal citizen." All- German sympathisers were not born in the Fatherland, he warned. "Heware the traitor," he concluded. R. A. Cooper responded to the re? quest to address the convention and enlarged on Colonel Watson's appeal for support for those humanitarian organizations, the Red Cross and the V. M. C. A. He illustrated his appeal for the sacrifice of luxuries with the little girl s refusal to eat candy with the French people hungry. Mr. Cooper did not speak out of hatred in the heart, but he didn't think the war should close until the allied armies' have marched into Germany und giv? en the people a full appreciation of the horrors they have inflicted on Bel? gium, France and other nations. Col. D. S. Henderson of Aiken took pride in the action of Lee County re? cently in hauling up live alleged Ger? man sympathizers to the public square and compelling them to kiss publicly the Stars and Stripes. The time will com** when spies will be shot in Amer? ica as ruthlessly as abroad, he warn? ed. Christie Benel recounted the trib? utes paid by French and English offi? cers at Camp Jackson to the morale and adaptability of the American sol? dier. On motion of Mr. Hcnet the con? vention adopted by a rising vote as a resolution, commending the bravery of Dient. David of Dillon county, who was recently killed in France. Dr. J. H David, the father, was a delegate to the convention. t. <;. McLeod of Blshopvtlla made one id' his customary sprightly speeches closing by saying, "Before it is all over. Dixie" and 'Yankee Doodle' will he played on the streets Of Berlin." There was no argument now for the pro-German but to turn them over to the tiring squad. If th conscientious objector were to ex amlne htaneelf, he would find that be had a white liver instead of a white soul and feathers on his legs instead SOUTHRON, Established Jim, MOO. Vol.XLVI. No. 27. CALL FOR LIBERTY MOTORS. AMERICAN ENGINES MAY DRIVE FR FACTI AND BRITISH. Shipments Already Made to Great Britain and Porshing Approve* Fur? ther Action. Washington, May 14.?American built liberty motors may first reach the lighting lines in France driving French and British scouts. It w?.s learned tonight that urgent requests from the allied governments for early delivery of the American en? gines have been received and are be? ing met. Shipments have already been made to Great Britain and there are intimations that General Perail? ing approves diverting additional mo? tors to meet French and British re? quirements. The British goverr ent, it is saia, after careful Investigation of the en? gine by a special expert has been pressing steadily for some thousands of motors. The French experts, at first somewhat doubtful of the Liber? ty motor, are now asking for and will receive engines by July 1. Dif? ficulties with over heating alleged in a letter from Louis Cammen Ra read In the senate yesterday to make the Liberty motor useless, are declared authoritatively to have been over? come. Radiator trouble was encoun? tered, particularly when machines which had been operated successful? ly in northern latitude were taken south for tests. These have been cor? rected, it is said. To support their view that the days of delays in aircraft production are over otlicials point to the fact that last month saw Liberty deliveries in hundreds and to present indications that the output will be more than doubled this month and steadily in? creased thereafter. SUSPECTED SPY' ARRESTED. Ernest Kreichner Arrested at Nitrate Plant at Muscle shoal*?Many Pa? pers Found. Sheffield, Ala.. May 14.?Ernest Kreichner, an enemy alien, was ar? rested at nitrate plant No. 2 at Muscle Shoals today by police authorities charged with being a German spy and is being held in Jail at Florence awaiting further advices from federal officials. Kreichner, who came to Florence several weeks ago from New York had been employed here as a civil en? gineer. When arrested a mass of pa? pers and documents of different kinds, all written in German and a photo? graph of himself, dressed in the uni? form of a German army officer, were found in his effects. He is said to have stated to several persons some? time ago that he made a trip to Ger? many just before the United States entered the war. It is expected that his arrest will lead to the apprehen? sion of another person on a similar charge. JACKSONVILLE, GOES DRY. Eleven City Wards Give Decided Ma? jority in Election for Duval Coun? ty. Jacksonville, Fla., May 14.?In the wet or dry election held in Duval county today. 25 precincts out of 30 give a total of 3,024 dry, and 2,320 wet, showing a majority of 704 for the dry. Other election precincts are small country districts which can not change the result even if every vote was cast wet. Indications, however, are that a majority of them will be dry. DEATH RATE LOWER. Health Conditions in Army Camps Are Improving. Washington. May 16.?The death rate in the National Army and Nation? al Guard samps last week was the lowest since November Surgeon Gen? eral rjorsOO reported today. The to? tal deaths were one hundred and six? ty-two against one hundred sixty-eight the week before. An increase of pneumonia and scarlet fever cases was reported. of wings on his back. Brief addresses and intensely patri? otic speeches were made also by W. V StUCkey of Bishopville and Thomas P. Cothrao of Greenville. After adopting the majority report d* the committee on platform and res ? dutions and refusing the minority re >ott. embodying the resolution of lohn K. Hood, <>f Anderson, the con? vention adjourned sine die at 6.20 o'clock.