The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1912-08-27
TLLMAN DIRECTS AN
ELEVENTH-HOUR STAB
BLEASE FEARS NO EVIL FROM
TILLMAN LETTER.
Tillman AbandOns Attitude of Neu-
trality in Which He Posed Until
Saturday.

Senator Tillman tonight issued the
Ferguson letter, which has been much
discussed in South Carolina during the
last few days:
"I have said repeatedly that I was
hand off in the race for governor in
South Carolina, and have tried faith
fully to remain neutral to the end, but
circumstances and conditions have
compelled me to change my purpose.
After the Sims letter was published
] was deluged with telegrams and let
ters, both of protest and importantly
from my old friends, c. men who
claimed to be such. Some of them
touched me deeply because of their
pathos. Most of them depanded that
l should say as much for Blease as
had said for Jones. Others threatened
me with retirement on account of in
reference in the governors race.
About ten days ago I wrote to one of
the latter in Anderson county, and
asked him specially not to let anyone
see. it.
"Three or four days ago I received
a copy of the letter from Governor
Blease, with the inquiry whether had
written it or not. On the 10Th I re-
ceived letter from Harrison Fergu-
son, of Spartanburg, asking whether
I thought Blease was not also eminent
" qualified for governor, to which I
answered in the affirmative, with
some restrictions and explanations,
and marked it also private and con-
fidential. And again the code that OBJ
tains among gentlemen was violated
by Mr. Ferguson, and that part of the
letter shown, which said Governor
Blease was eminently qualified, if Mr.
Ferguson has shown all of the letter
he has only done it to such friends as
he could trust, those Of the same type
with himself. am thus made. to en-
dorse Blease as teminently qualified
whiAe explanations and restrictions
are kept from the public.
Uncomfortable As Fence Straddler.
'sI am unwilling in this crisis of the
States history to become supporter
of Governor Blease for reelection, or
to appear to do so: I know many of
my warmest friends are strong believ-
ers, in Blease, and have known this
from the beginning. A less number of
the Tillmanites of old, but as good
friends as any of them, are supporting
Judge Jones. I do not want to appear
and 1 am uncomfortable, in the role as
a fence-straddler; therefore, I have
decided to give the letter in question
publicity so that all the people may
understand exactly what my Ideas and
feelings are.
81 have no doubt Governor Blease
has read the, whole letter, AMI such Of
his lieutenants as he chose TO give it
to are already in possession Of it. He
is acquainted with my attitude, and
will naturally-and I would do the
same, and do not blame him at ali
use it to my disadvantage.
Without considering whether there
will be any countervailing advantage
to me in making the letter public l
will at least have the satisfaction Of
knowing that I am no longer consider
ed too cowardly to come out in the o.
pen and make known my opinion.In
this grave crisis in the States history
/ can better afford to retire to private
life, if necessary, than to be consider
ed, even by indirection, as endorsing
Governor Blease. 1 will at least main
tain my own self-respect, and as my
confidence has been betrayed, l will
give the whole letter to the public.
"As the battle has progressed, I
have been more and more convinced
of the utter unfitness of Blease to be
governor, and rather than feel, as I
would be compelled to do, that 1 was
in part responsible for it, if l remain
ed silent, 1 write this statement and
will take the consequences.
'The State has been disgraced in
the eyes of the whole world, and it's
good name made byword and hiss
ing. Nobody can cleanse it and redeem
it except its own people.
81 implore the people to take care
of the States good name next Tues
Sav'