Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1913-11-05
WEDNESDAY. NOVEMBER >, 1913.
McLAURIN WlTHDRA WS.

Ex-senator John J.. MCIaurin has
Withdrawn from the race for the Gov
eIn0rship Of South Carolina. 1t is
Iunhtful if VI " 4 ,urin had a
chance to win lie does not stand as
high politically to-day as he has
stood, nor can he ever stand where
ne once did in political matters in
South Carolina. A few months ago
he summed up tho causes that led to
his eStramgcment from the people Of
this state when he stated that he let
his personal ambitions blind him for
u time 10 the real interests OF the
people. 1t seems the irony Of fate
that, Just as he has seen the error of
his ways in the past, he has been
forcGd TO look the situation squarely
in the face and realize that conditions
are such as to mako his efforts at
rehabilitation OF the States politics
along conservative and conscientious
lines an impossibility.
We believe he has adopted a wise
course in announcing his withdrawal
there is a great work that Mr.. Me
Laurin can do as a private citizen
greater possibly than he could ever
hope 10 do in the realm Of active
politics. He is a brilliant man, one
of uncommon foresight and rare abil-
ity along practical lines. Yet he lost
the confidence Of his people through
Tailure to recognize his plain duty
yea rs ago. Let Mr.. McLaurin use
his great powers, as a private citizen,
:tnd he can do more for South Caro-
lima, and more to restore himself to
the confidence Of the whole people,
fh2n he could ever hope to do as
Governor or in any other high Of
flee.
Ne quote from his sta tement made
in Withdrawing from the race few
pertinent remarks that may we'll be
considered by the private citizen:
y will not be a candidate for Gov
ernor. There is no field for a man
OF really conservative views. think
factionalism has gone too far, and |
am thoroughly satisfied that the peo.
gle are not going 70 be permitted to
Ss.t together by the leaders on either
side.
''Thc views | expressed at the con-
fCrEnCc last night do not Su, either
extreme, and long ago made up my
miId never to advocate anything
which my inner consciousness
leacncs ne is wrong. | stand just
where | stood in lS90--for the peo-
pie.
That movement gave the first real
liberty that the masses in South Car
uIina ever enjoyed, and | find myself
entirely out Of sympathy with the
views expressed by the other speak
Crs at the conference. do not think
SHAT 'Blcascism' is higher and nObler
animated TillmaniSm in 1890 was
higher and finer than the sentiments
| heard expressed last night.
"WhilC some of the men who are
inciiinS class hate and prejudice may
gel into Office, | know that power
gained by such methods is cphcmeral
aHG ihut The State will suffer. | went
there like a man. said what | had to
EaS. don't suit them. They don't
sn11 me, so might just as well be a
man. That is better than being GOV
cTnOr.
- am out Of politics once and for
ever. and feel like Il load is lifted off
OF me.
"lnstcad OF a conference Of bitter
part isans there should be a confer
eHCG Of men from both factions, who
are not Ofiice-scck and fight |
made 10 control the next State Con !
VentiOn. Then go on and elect a
man Governor who will know no fac |
ti0D and neither friend nor foe in the
administration OF public affairs.
''lf we do not call a halt we will
MAKE Il little Mexico Of S0Hin Caro-
lima and what for? Merely to put
this man or that INTO Office? This is
a prostitution OF ;hat great uprising
nf the people IN 1899, which. if |
cannot prevent, az least will refuse
70 assist"