The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-08-21

~~NSNN'f ~ Jss aug. Jo.--O nucT
the glare of u hot sun thousands of
farmers massed about Governor
Woodrow Wilson here today and
heard him make his first campaign
speech since he was officially notified
week ago of his nomination TO the
Presidency.
The Democratic nominee spoke en-
temporaneously at Washington Park,
where the farmers of New Jersey.
Delaware and Pennsylvania were par
ticipatink In a celebration. The can
didate dwelt mostly upon the protec-
tive tariff which he called the re-
strictive tariff" attacked Senator AL
drich and his tariff-making associ-
ates. pointed out the benefits of
merchant marine In connection with
the Panama Canal. and blamed the
influence Of express companies i'm
haluns parcels post legislation.
The Governor frequently was inter-
rupted by applause and cheers When
he finished speaking many of the far
mers crowded To shake hands. He
was at the park about two hours. re-
turning TO Sea Girt early tonight.
Governor Wilson said In part:
Il am interested In politics not as
search for office. but as a great con-
test devoted to something very def
mite and practical indeed. Politics
ought not To be considered as
mere occasion for oratory. Politics
ought to- be considered as a branch
of the national business and man who
talks politics ought to tell his fellow
citizens very distinctly what he thinks
about their affairs and what his own
attitude towards them Is.
Here we are at farmers picnic.
and on this day i suppose we might
Say that the farmers occupy the CEN
tre OF the stage. When did the farm
ers ever occupy the centre of the
stage In our politics? 1 don't remem-
Der any time. 1 have seen the inter-
ests OF great many classes special
iy regarded In legislation. but 1 must
frankly say that I have seldom seen
the interests OF the farmer regarded
In legislation. And one ofthe greatest
impositions upon the farmer of this
country that has ever been devised is
the present tariff legislation OF the
United States. y
II have not heard OF farmers wait
ing for hearing before the COM
mittee of ways and means of the
House and the finance committee of
the Senate In order to take part In
determining what the tariff schedules
should be. While you were feeding
the world. Congress was feeding the
trusts. Nobody doubts what the pro-
cess of tariff legislation has been be-
cause everybody who has been GU
rious enough to inquire knows what
the process OF tariff legislation has
been.
Il would be ashamed of myself IL
tried to stir up any feeling on the
part OF any class against any other
class. wish to disavow all inten-
tion OF suggesting to the farmer that
he go I'm and do somebody up. That
is not the point. All that I am mod
estly suggesting TO you Is that you
break into your own house and live
there. And l want you to examine
very critically the character OF the
tenants who have been occupying It,
IL is very big house and very few
people have been living in II and the
rent has been demanded of you and
not OF them. You have paid the mon
ey which enabled them To live In your
house and dominate your own prem
isea
Il regard this campaign as l have
regarded every campaign In which
the people have taken part since the
world began, as simply continued
struggle to see To II that the people
were taken care of by their own Gov
ernment. And my indictment
against the tariff Is that II represents
special partnerships and does not rep
resent the general interest. II Is
long time since tariffs were made by
men who even supposed that they
were seeking to serve the general in
terest because tariffs were not made
by the general body of members of
their house OF Congress- They have
In the past been made by very small
groups OF individuals I'm certain com
mittees OF those houses. who even re-
fused Information To their fellow
members as to the basil upon which