The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1912-08-07
Governor BleaSe Spoke
To Large Audience.
(Bv .. r. HaltiWangeT.)

ence Of possibly eight hundred people
at Brookland or Saturday afternoon
Immediately after the candidates TOR
county Offices had spoken, and was
given q rousing reception. His ap-
pearance on the grounds was the &C.
casion for an outburst OF applause,
which lasted for several minutes. The
governor was accompanied to the We
randa of the assembly hall by bevy
of pretty girls, who carried large
bou1ue: Of flowers, and red, white and
blue banners foated in the air. On
card attached to the basket or flowers
was the following inscription: 'Wel-
come. We are your friends. God
blessyou. Presented BY the mill over
seers and operatives"
Governor Blease was introduced by
W. b. Sharpe, who stated to the pre-
siding officer, Mr.. G.. A. Guignard,
that it was the governors own re-
quest that he be introduced by Mr..
Sharpe. Mr.. Sharpe paid a glowing
tribute to Governor Blease, saying,
among other things, "that he is the
only governor the great masses OF the
people of South Carolina has ever
had.'' I'VE, the great people OF this
county believe" said MIR. Sharpe,
that if this State goes to hell it will
20 according to law" "Iu conclu-
sion,'' said the speaker, Il now have
the pleasure of introducing to you the
champion of the great toiling masses
of South Carolina, the Honorable
Coleman Livingston Blesse."
After the cheering had ceased, Coy
ernor Blease said that it was a pleas
ure for him to have an opportunity to
address the people Of Brookland, Eho
were near and dear to him because
they represented the laboripg class
the people who had always stood by
him, and who had been responsible
for his success in politics. he de.
clared that if it had not been for the
mill boys of Newberry ne never would
have been elected to the legislature
and to the State senate, nor mayor Of
Newberry; and that if it had not been
for the mill boys of South Carolina he
never would have been governor.
Governor Blease said that the cam
paign this year had been one Of ''vitI'
peration. abuse and slander,' and
that the peo pie had not had the oppor-
tunity to hear single issue discussed;
and therefore had not had an oppor-
tunity to Judge for themselves who
is the best man for governor. He said
thao those who had come to Brook
land for the expressed purpose OF hear
ing him assail his opponents would be
sadly mistaken, for he never spoke
about his adversaries behind their
backs.
The governor vigorously defended
his pardon record. Taking up the par
don of Wash Rawl, the negro who
was tried and convicted Of Burning
the barn of State Senator Crosson, he
used about the same argument that he
used at the Lexington campaign meet
ING two weeks ago. He said if the
neorle did not want pardons issued
they must quit signing petitions. I'm
less you send petitions to me-" he
said, "I assure you that no pardons
will be granted"
Governor Blease made a bitter at
tack on the press of the State, deciar-
ing that he was the only governor that
South Carolina has ever had who was
not guided by the newspapers. lie
assailed the last legislature, and toah
. shot at Senator Crosson, of this
county. He told The audience that 1t
was needless for them to vote for him
for governor and vote to re-elect Sen
ator Crosson.
The governors speech was inter
spersed with number Of anecdotes,
which amused and kept the crowd in
D. GOOD humor. at the conclusion Of
his address the people crowded around
the governor and he was kept busy
hands for several minutes.
Governor Blease received genuine
ovation and was carried from the
building to his automobile nearby on
the shoulders of his admirers.
It being Blease meeting, it is safe
to say that seventy-fve per cent OF the
audience were supporters of the gov
ernor