The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1901-06-12
MeLAURIN's LETTER TO GOVERNOR.
Gives his Reason for Withdrawing
Resignation.
He viii Make Speeches to EnIighten the
People.

Columbia, June 4.-Governor Nc
Sweeney yesterday received the follow
ing letter from Senator McLaurin:
Bennettsville, S. c.. June, l, 1901,
Governor M. B. McSweeney.
Dear Sir: Your letter of the 3lst Of
May, in which you decline to accept
my resignation as United States SEN
ator, is received. The grounds upon
which your declination is predicated
are, that the people are entitled to
one year of peace and freedom from
political battles and bitterness, and
that campaign this year would be a
Calamity to the State to be torn as
sunder by heated canvass in the off
year in politics without any possible
good to come of it. AS an additional
reason you suggest that any disturb
ance of the harmony of the people in
their work for the advancement of the
material prosperity of the State might
result in retarding this progress.
I appreciate fully the force of the
reasons given by you, and the effects
upon the people of the State of a heat
ed and strife-producing contest for
United States Senator this year. For
the sake of the "peace, prosperity
and happiness of the people Of this
State" I am willing to hold on to
my commission as United States SEN
ator, and to continue to serve the
State as I have done in the past to
the "best of my ability; But, in
retaining my seat in the senate, will
not consent to be handicapped or
''bossed'' by any one claiming a right
to Judge my motives and action. l
propose to ssexeccise my judgement on
all national questions under the lnfiu-
ence of high sense of responsibility
to the people, and to work for the up
building OF the political and materi-
al interest of my State. I recognize
fully my accountability to the sover-
eign people, and am always ready to
give strict account of my Official
acts to-them.
Your suggestion that it is not your
purpose by your official action to
prevent the fullest and freest discus
sion of all public questions and the
education of the people along all polit-
ical lines is in accord with your pa
triotic course in reference to the res
ignations. The people are entitled to
hear both sides of these questions and
to form a judgment. Personalities
and bitterness in a joint debate would
interfere with fair and full discus
sion of them, and instead of educating
would mislead and deceive them. All
that 1 have claimed is this right OF
the people and my right to enlighten
them on these questions whenever
called upon In my effort to do this, l
was interfered with by the senior sen
ator, who affirmed that my doctrines
were political heresies and hurtful to
the people My wish is that all pub
lie questions may be freely and fully
discussed before the people and | will
be content to abide their decision upon
them.
In consenting to hold my commits
sion, l wish it understood that it is
in response to your patriotic appeal
that it is for the good of the State and
not because I feared to 60 before the
people and discuss with the senior SEN
ator or others the national issues OF
the day. I am public servant of the
people, and it is my duty and pleasure
always to promote their interests in
every way can.
I have the honor to be, etc.