The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1913-11-19
A TIME FOR YOUNG MEN.
Columbia Man Says they Should
Help Put Good Men in Office.

Columbia, Nov. 13.-The duty, as
he sees it, Of the young men to take
their part and do their best towards
the work Of electing men to public Of
flee in South Carolina was outlined by
Mr.. W. G. Patrick, formerly of Bam-
berg, but now of Columbia. Mr.. Pat
rick knows nothing Of politics in the
practical meaning Of that term, has
never held an Office and never ex-
poets to hold one, but he thinks that
the young men who are in business
should take more interest in those who
represent the people. In other words,
Mr.. Patrick has no political axe to
grind. but speaks as the representa-
tive of the thousands of young men,
who he points out owe duty to their
State, to see by their vote that the
principles of true Democracy and the
principles on which this government Is
founded shall continue.
"A candidate should be weighed to
rity," says Mr.. Patrick. I'm ti,is
day Of factionalism. when personali-
ties are being dealt in to such a great
degree. that which is most important
in mans makeup is overlooked.
Honesty Of purpose and fearlessness
in discharge Of a public duty should
be placed above all else; the consi L.
Grafton Of a friendship. purely on the
grounds Of friendship, is bad policy.
1T has been the custom Of the
young men in the past to defer more
or less to the opinions Of their eld-
ers and superiors in a business way
and thereby has the old order Of
things been continued.
To-day the time is ripe for some
young man morally clean and above
reproach to step into the breach and
take up the fight and carry it on to
victory for cleaner, purer govern
ment 1t does not necessarily mean
that young man should enter into q
political campaign in order to make
his influence for the common good
felt, but his daily life nd the influence
which he exerts over his companions
and friends should be such as to in
fiuence them TO occupy higher ground
and take @ larger interest in the COM
mon veal.
"a young man Of this type, without
political past and with no ques-
tionable record to be cited on the
stump. is badly needed in South Car
olina today. Instead Of factionaiism
and bitter personalities let him raise
the battle flag of righteous and con-
structive government, and pitch the
political fight on the higher issues so
splendidly exemplified by President
Wilson and Secretary Bryan. A young
man imbued with these principles
would, in my opinion, win q sweeping
victory in South Carolina and inaugu-
rate a new and higher order of things,
the need Of which is so greatly felt in
our State today
The young men Of South Carolina
owe 1t to themselves to take a great
err interest in civic righteousness and
see by their votes and influence that
only men Of integrity and strength Of
purpose be selected to fill the high
and honorable offices within the gift Of
the people. Let them begin at the
ground works, commence with NUM-
cipal government and proceed on
through the county, State and National
governments, and be sure that every
vote they cast is against the dema-
gogue and in favor Of the candidate
who has the true interest Of the peo-
pie at heart"
That the young men Of South Caro-
lima are more interested today in poll
tics than ever before is evident from
the talk which one hears on streets
and in places of business. Almost in
every instance in this State, where a
young man has entered the race for
the legislature or other Office, he has
been elected. and Mr. Patrick tonight
pointed this out as proof of his state
ment that this is the time for young
men in the Palmetto State
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