The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1911-01-25
THE ADDRESS OF GOVERNOR BLEASF
AT THE INAUGURAL CEREMONIES

south Carolina, Ladies and Gentle
ruen:
independence of thought, freedom
OF action, an abiding trust In and de-
voted love for God have won for me
Tbe greatest political victory that has
yet been recorded in the history of
South Carolina, Aligned against me
we're united daily press and an al
most solid weekly and semi-weekly
press, pouring forth all kinds of false
hood, vituperation and abuse, receiv-
ing the assistance of a number Of
inen who call themselves ministers
ot the Gospel-God save the mark.
who stood behind their pulpits and
gave vent to envy and malice and
SANDERS of the most vile and mali
2ious nature against me
These hypocrites had left their masks
and stood
IN naked ugliness.
They were men who stole the livery
of Heaven
To serve the devil in"
al of these, combined with others
inaking a set of political character
thieves, the meanest and most con-
t2mptible people known to man.
was never discouraged. | knew
;hat Gid did not love the ugly, and
hat the people of South Carolina were
for fair play to all her sons alike
Men have rallied and fought in hum
lIeds of battles, but no band of truer
m4n or braver soldiers or more loyal
ard devoted friends ever rallied for
\ fight than those 56,602 brave and
honorable men of South Carolina, who
On September 13. 1910, said to my
@uemies, you shall not press him
@0wn; you shall not cruelty him upon
. cross of vituperation, slander and
iA,sehood; you shall not crown him
$th a crown of persecution, envy and
.9alice." And by the help of an all
w,se and all-powerful God. the vic
ts.y was won, and we can and do to-
NV say:
'raise, God from whom all blessings
;low,"
md my prayer is that His choice bless
iNgs OF this earth rest upon my friends,
I'd may each of them some day be
2;owned with diadem in Heaven.
For those who opposed me honestly
nd fairly, | have no word or censure.
T. was their right to do so, and | fee!
taat they were but exercising their
EiSh right of American citizenship.
iror the others | have but pity, for I
@all know that their consciences, If
they have any, are giving them CEN
,SGre and punishment enough for their
s0wardly ana underhand manner OF
opposition.
thank, and wish for YOU to convey
ny sincerest, most heartfelt thanks
10 your constituents for their assist
..Gce in giving tonne the position which
Uas tic zenith of my political ambi-
ton. Should y never be elected to
: y position again. personally | will
fave accomplished all that my life's
" otk has been for so far as political
D;efermcnt is concerned. The only
Hmbition that is left Is that ! may per
I3rIn the duties Of the CaiCe OF govern
., In such a manner that may re-
<2ive n the close Of my term the well
Gone" from those who placed me in
tjH position
= t the campaign meeting at Florence
- 1910, | said 81 notice in the edi-
to-ial columns of the State newspaper
- this day, We shall i'm day o. two
I've something to say in regard to
,n candidacy of Candidate Blease,
slat will not be regarded as endorse
.ncnt | believe that the people Of
South Carolina are in favor OF fair
,ylay, and ] now request and invite
q man who wrote that article to
come ON the rostrum at Columbia, at
tie state campaign meeting at Co
llmbia. next SATURDAY., August .. and
nave his something to say in regard
- the candidacy OF Candidate Blcase,
my face, where II can and Will have
c opportunity to make reilly. And
he declines this, then demand that
;a name time and place where he
all agree to meet me face to face
I'D make his statement Two years
so this paper published articles about
ne and when my friends sent replies
to these articles the publishers OF
the paper refused to publish them
thus cutting me off from any oppOr-
FOL.