The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1902-05-14

foreign soil. At that time the war was
not a party question and [ hoped that
it would not become so. In this
was disappointed and was soon con-
fronted by the alternative of retracing
my steps or finding myself in oppo-
sition to a majority of the Democra-
tic party leaders and excluded from
their caucus, I concluded that not
even seat in the United States Sen
ate was worth surrender Of my con
victions and that opinion is unchang-
ed. There is not speech or vote OF
mine upon any question growing out
of the Spanish-American war that [
would change even if I could and in
which do not take pride in thus
proving my loyalty to my country.
T have maintained this indepen-
dence of thought and action. Last
summer, recognizing my responsible
ity to the people, there being no cam
paign in the State, I announced my
intention of going before them fer
the purpose of discussing these ma
tional issues. I was Immediately and
violently assailed for advocating Re-
publican doctrines, and branded as
Republican in Democratic disguise.
The State Democratic Executive CON-
mittee met and under the dictation of
my colleague in the Senate. formally
declared that T was not Democrat,
which formed the basis for similar
action on the part Of the Democratic
caucus of the United. States Senate.
The policy of my opponents has been
to belittle real issues into a personal
quarrel between "Tillmsn and Nc
Laurin." This issue I am not willing
to accept as do not propose to be
Influenced in my public course by
personal spleen or petty jealousy.
The public interests should never
be subordinated to purely personal
ends.
Now the proposition of my polit.-
cal enemies to exclude me from the
primary as candidate, and to exclude
all candidates for Office who entertain
my views and thus prevent the people
from hearing me and in hearing them
in justification of my course and in
advocacy of the absorbing public
measures now confronting the Amer;-
can people. I am absolutely convinced
and forewsrned Of this purpose to ex-
clude me and my friends because I
have read the speech of Senator Till
man, the acknowledged dictator of the
Democratic machine of South Caro-.
lima, delivered at Manning, in which
he directs q revision of the rules and
form an oath for the party for the
purpose of excluding myself and
friends from participating'iu the pri-
mary. I resent the exception OF my
self, for of course I could not make
my race for the Senate or proclaim
nv views under conditions which are
not qually applicable to those who en-
tertain and advocate my views. I
have an abiding faith that it will yet
be shown that the dictator of the ma
chine is not the exponent Of the views
of the majority of our people.
The primary system adopted in our
State through the ''Farmers' Move.
ment" has been prostituted and per-
verted into political machine for the
purpose or excluding all candidates
who are not in full accord with the
views and wishes of the Dictator The
vital question, therefore, is will the
people of the State submit to this
disfranchising the intelligent people
and excluding them from our cleo
tions?
With such system Ihsve no sym
pathy and feel impelled by q strict
sense of duty to warn the people
against tyranny as it encourages and
establishes. With these facts before