The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-05-22


development of our commerce, and we see
every day Indications OF trade combine on
the part OF Europe against the United States.
In the financial world nsteaa asa OF e9o ioE
our money, England. Germany and Russla
have recently had to come 10 New furk 10
place their government loans. have given
nothing but mere outline, and yet ask any
man within the sound OF my voice II these
facts do not present a totally changed condl-
ton. The Spanish war suddenly aWoke us 10
commercial and political powers of the
world.
HOW CAN I BEST SERVE THE INTEREST OF
SOUTH CARoLINA'
Believing as do that there are vital issues
which. growing out of changed industrial
conditions, are higher and broader than mere
party questions. 1 have, as your Senator,
looking beyond the line marked by section
alism and partisanship, striven TO promote
the material, political and commercial inter
ests of our common country-for In so doing,
can best serve the interests Of the state OF
South Carolina. For this ! have been ar,
raigned before the people of this State and
charged with allying myself with the hepno-
lican party. Criticism, abuse ana gross
misrepresentati has been INDUCED IN:
Not content with this unfair method OF
attack, some Of the papers In their vile perse-
ing Information on one side Of these great
national issues and emphasizing and pupllsh'
ing everything on the other. They have
persistently held me up as renegade, and on
more than one occasion alleged that intend
ed to resign and accept Federal appoint
ment. Amid all this persecution l have
maintained my silence, confident that When
an opportunity was offered, the people Wouio
see that received fair play. and that they
would at least accord me honesty OF purpose
THE GREAT QUESTION IS NOT. WITH WHOM
HE VOTES BUT, as HE RIGHT|
There are two questions that l submit to
the people of South Carolina: First Am l
honest In the views L advocate! Seconu.
Am mistaken?
AS to the first. All that 1 have to say ia
that my people have shed their blood ior
South Carolina in every contest In which she
Carolina, took my wife in South Carolina.
and when die 1 expect my bones TO De lald
beside five generations OF honest men and
true women who have gone before. have
children who must bear ny name, goou or
bad. Every dollar that l have is Invested
In this State, except q small amount In Norm
Carolina and Florida. My interests are In.
separately interviewer with the Interest o.
nv State, no good can come to her in which
cannot participate. and no evil OF Which
must not bear my share. II wanted 10 nave
an easy time, I certainly choose the marc
road. 1 might have drifted with the current
sang "me, too," and continued to hold office
| | had pretty good tutelage and an illustrlous
example in my early political career OF the
arts Of demagogery. and could 90 II again 10
a pinch. But, fellow.citizens, the game ISM
worth the CANDLE" If 1 can't be Senator
worthy the great statesmen whom succeed
l do not wish to hold the office. do mol
claim to be iniallible, and the time mas e6 peer
| that was wrong, and thus enabled to escape
| from the position which at times was almost
uncomfortable; but, fellow-cltizens, no longer
| feel that way. do not wish now TO be con
vlnced.
NO CHARGE OF CORRUPTION HAS EVER BEEN
MADE AGAINST M'LAURIN.
When man has suffered for
cause It becomes very dear to him, and
think that 1t would break ny heart III, II
and that have been deceived by mirage 10
| the bleak desert. l am human, and nave my
| full share of the frailty and vanity whlch &c
with door, weak human nature. Iook Dack
| TO some things that have said and done, ano
| l know that was wrong, and wlsh IL were
otherwise. But, fellow citizens, Twice WIN
4 In the last three years have felt that was
| stand before the bar OF a just God. who knows
| the secrets Of my innermost soul, ana iell
| that be would mercy have for petty fralltles
and shortcomings, and give me creait @ s,or,l I1l
| fees which had made TO serve Inc pest anG
highest interest Of my State and country.
am not afraid to meet my GOO ana stanG
| upon my public record-Why, then. snouIa
L
/ that my life as man was az slniess anu Iree
! from reproach as 1t is as your public serVan T.
Charges OF corruption have been rife IN South
| Carolina during the past ten years, put my
dirty dollar has ever crossed the palm OF "y
| hand.
ALL SORTS OF DEMOCRATS.
Fellow.cit,zens: To man who loved
society and that sort of thing, seat IN the
Senate may be prize worth having, but 10
me, II Is OF no value save to further the cause
to which am devoting the best years OF my
South Carolina, not to further my PERSONA
Interests. Do you suppose that enjoy being
nayed alive. and called all sorts OF pet names
BY the growing. grumbline Gonzales, az, and 9
the whining, cringing dyspeptic Hemphlli!
| 1t does not worry me very much, for l know
[ that there is one kind OF an animal that Will
yrowl lust for the pleasure of growing, and
another that will whine, especially when
milk is scarce. There Is good deal OF growl'
| ing and whining just now Iscause OF lew
Federal plums that have been dropping
around but l notice that II all comes from
the direction where none are dropping or
likely TO drop. From observation l INFER
that there are plenty OF Gold Democrats
Silver Democrats. Bryan Democrats, Cleve'
man Democrats, McLaurin Democrats, and
Democrats none whom object to a job under
l"Uncle SAM"
| FEDERAL PATRONAGE.
| Now, fellow.citizens, want to say one word
| ON this subject did not control, do not
wish 10 control, nor will become responsible
| for, the Federal patronage In SCUM Carollna.
On account OF my liberal views. and What ne
| is pleased 10 consider my patriotic Stand for
broad American doctrines, the President mas
done me the honor TO consult me on certal n
| occasions as to South Carolina appointments.
He has done SO. to nay certain knowledge
with Senators Morgan, Sullivan, McEnery
| and other Democrats. appreciate 1t beyond
measure, for a wiser man, truer patriot, and
| more kindly Christian gentleman. never oc.
cupied the White House than William Nc
Kinley. believe have his confidence and
friendship, and there Is no treasure that
value more highly. l would not have IL and
l could not retain 1t were l traitor to my
State and people. He honors me, because he
knows rs well as any man living, how much
desire to be the President OF the whole coun-
try and not OF section, why should / not
meet hi % half way? When he liz willing that
the patrons who support a postoftice In South
Carolina should be consulted as they are IN
Vermont, Massachusetts, and Ohio. why
should |, as your Senator stick pitch-iork
into his vltals?
Lie EXPENSE. AND WORKING FOR HIN.
Ah. fellow citizens, If have controlled any
patronage, 1t has been in the public interest,
moi INV own. No nephews Of mine have been
commissioned in the United States Army.
have had no son drawing large salary,
travelling this State at government expense,
manipulating political AFFAIRS lor me- rake
terest is it TO me who fills 1t? 1t does not put
a dollar into my pocket and do not get my
mail there believe in the rule OF the peo-
pIe. and want to see the time come When
shall name the postmaster just as they do the
aberiff and clerk Of the court. WnaL 90 you