The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1912-09-04

ers were praying against me, and
when the newspapers, every issue
were heralding slanders, vituperation
and abuse against me. i continued
to hold my temper did not get mad
as they hoped / would do--and even
when Jones insulted me, had too
much respect for his gray hairs and
old age to even slap him with my
open hand. Some may call this cow
ardice. just as some called 1t cow
ardice when Gen. Butler gave you a
general cursing On railroad train
when you gave as your excuse for not
resenting 1t. that he had only one
leg.
had every reason 10 believe
having stood by you In 1890; at
Helena. when 1 stepped between you
and man who had a pistol drawn
to kill you, and when the q. crowd
rushed forward and broke down the
platform. had you picked up by your
admirers and carried into my father
in-law's home (Which was in a few
yards Of the grove where you were
speaking) for protection-that you
were my friend.
in the legislature differed with
you sometimes and did not vote ac-
'ording to your dictation, but, sena-
tor. have never worn any mans po-
litical collar; have never been bossed
or dictated to by any man. and 1
never expect to. for I have been elect
ed governor of South Carolina by the
people and recognize no boss but
the people. and the people have
shown. last Tuesday. that they recog-
nfze no boss at all.
In addition to my political support
OF you. the position which took as
lawyer and witness In saving the
name Of your distinguished brothers
son from being written upon the
pages of the South Carolina peniten-
tiary records-while my position was
true and the correct one--incurred
for me the hatred Of the editors of
the Columbia State. and from that day
to this nothing too mean or bitter
could have been said by them about
me. And why? Because / stood by
Tiilman. Certainly then 1 had the
right to expect that you would not
take any part in the race for govern
or. but on the contrary that you were
friendly and chat IL you were not
frieadly. most assursdiy that YOU
would be neutral. Particularly, SEN
ator. when my defeat would not only
have ruined me politically, but blasted
my personal character for all time
and yef. throughout the entire race,
l spoke kindly Of you and even after
your letter was published, when
friends phoned and wired me what to
do In regard to you. said that was
willing for the people of South Caro-
lima to pass between us and say which
one they wanted. or If they wanted
both.
In Washington Mrs Blease and
Mrs. Tillman were both present when
the conversation j referred to took
place. You say Mrs. Tillman could
not remember. but wish to say to
you, sir, that the veracity of ladies
should not be involved in such mat
ters. You may speak Of it. but I shall
certainly not bring either Mrs. Till
man or Mrs. Blease into this contro-
yersy.
The charges which you have seen
ut to refer to - your letter have been
absolutely and fatty refuted (see reply
to Augusta slush and other replies
which have put forward during this
campaign0 have never received
one cent for granting q pardon, nor
have ever received one cent for any
official action since have been gov
ernor except my salary from the
State OF South Carolina.
You did not come to me- or nv
friends for explanations. You took
the newspaper articles for 1t, when
you. yourself, say that they lied most
mahciously on you.
My dear sir. what about the charges
against you? When they claimed that
Hubbell sent you $4,000, which Lyon
and Christensen had the Rev. Mr..
Turnipseed brought before them to
prove that he delivered you the pack
age while no was express agent at CO.
iumbia? What about the piano they
claimed you received? What about
the Hubbell money they say you re-
ceWed! What about the articles
which they say were sent you by Neill
from the penitentiaryp wb,. .ho,,,