Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1913-11-21
MeLsndon's Letter.

MCI6n00n6 LottcTs
In transmitting the letter from
Hartsville, Mr.. McLendon writes this
bureau as follows:
Enclosed please find letter to me
from Senator John L. McLaurin
which think will be Of public inter
est Just at this time, and for that rea-
son request that you publish the same
From my knowledge Of Mr.. Nc
Laurin's character and in view Of our
intimate relations, I am perfectly sat-
isfied that he will not object to my
action in thus making his letter pub
lie. H, E,
"It is very gratifying to me to re-
Eceive this letter. for many men with
whom come in contact express the
desire that he make the race next
year.
Men of his type and ability are
needed in public affairs and I am Ger
tain that he will measure up to the
high conception his friends have Of
him II elected.
"The most striking thing in this let
ter of Mr.. McLaurin's is his reference
to the need of moral awakening In
the political world and the appeal to
the mind and consciences Of men.
: Respectfully,
B. F. McLendon."
Mclaurin's Letter.
The letter of Senator McLaurin ad-
dressed to Mr.. McLendon is as fol-
lows:
my dear Baxter:
Both Of your letters rece
briefly acknowledged number On nd
will now reply more at length to L-dm-
Der two.
II know that you were surprised al
the statement that I made about re-
firing from politics but you remember
that had not said that would be a
candidate for office, only that 1 was
willing to respond to call from the
people.
81 believed that 1 could be Of some
service to this state in connection with
a state warehouse system, refundine
the state debt and preventing threat
ened split in our white people.
These are the motives that impell-
ed me to make so many speeches and
to attend a conference, not for the
purpose Of selecting a governor, but to
control the next Democratic state con-
vention and prevent the constitutional
restrictions designed to subjugate the
negro in the general election being
used in the primary to disfranchise
white men and place them on the
same political basis as the negro.
Your life work calls you into close
contact with our factory and agricul-
tural population. 1t Is a grand work
and am sure you will agree with me
that all classes of society need high
er conception of the rights and duties
of citizenship. Your influence and ex-
ample sways the course and influences
the minds Of people in this state.
Danger of Faetionalism.
II state to you the deliberate opin-
ion that factionalism cannot be safely
pushed to greater extent.
Last year we came near a split
and II the storm breaks loose again, no
man can control 1t. Is it not wise to
stop a moment and see what it Is all
about? Is not returning good for evil
a good rule in politics? think so. The
majesty and power Of it is great ev-
erywhere.
"A moral awakening In the political
world is sorely needed. You can not
regulate primaries and legislate away
bribery, etc. That must come through
arousing the minds and consciences OF
men.
MY dear Baxter, you teach men
that they are brothers in the Church.
am trying to teach them they are
brothers in the state. And I am just
as willing to serve the people in my
way as you are in yours. You are
right in saying that no good citizen can
refuse to serve the state in any capac-
ity. I only refuse to play the role of
office seeker. 1 did not know nor am
prepared to yet believe that there is
such a demand for my services as you
seem to think. If I did I would not
hesitate one moment as to my course.
1 have received many letters like yours
but one can easily be mistaken about
these things. AS ever your frined,
John L. McLaurin."