The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1913-11-13
McLAURIN REPLIES TO
T|LLMAN'S LETTER.
DECLINES SENIOR SENATOR'S
SUGGESTION THAT HE ENTER
CAMPAIGN AGAINST BLEASE.

Bennettsville, November 4:--Sen-
ator Tillman's letter is so Till
manesque" that when l read it yes
terday, hardly knew whether to
laugh or cry; cuss or pray. expect
a little of all is in order.
He hits Blease with a meat axe,
pitchforks me, ignores Smith and
spits in Simm's face.
am not going to let myself loose
(if | can help. The situation is too
serious, for from the way feel
and he feels, we'd be fighting in a
pair of minutes and let South Caro-
lima 90 to the devil, as we did before.
l will honestly acknowledge that |
have never been able to get entirely
over an early affection for Senator
Tillman. l have said hard things
myself, but l don't like to hear
other people say one word against
him. If had conquered and had
him down, would never have rub
bed sand in his eyes. His letter is
distinctly offensive: Johnny is
smart, but he is bad little boy, he
sassed Papa. Papa is sorry, but
come here Johnny, hand me the
brush, now get across my knee, Papa
is going to spank you. but if Johnny
is good the balance of the week, he
can 20 to the movies" Saturday" :"
l feel like saying DAMN" but I'll
say Bless the Lord"
That letter discloses why couldn't
get on with Tillman, why Latimer
couldn't and why he and Smith can't
agree. An imperious will that brooks
no opposition. l could get on with
him now. I'd laugh at him. l used
to take him and myself too serious
ly. will say, however, that God
never made a man big enough to
talk down to me. My record in the
Senate needs no defence. l have
done the "penance" of the very
nearly great man." who was too far
ahead of his time. | have suffered
the bitter fate that comes to all ad-
vanced thinkers. After "pitchforks"
are forgotten and dung heaps"
plowed under, the State warehouse
idea with agricultural products as a
bankable asset. will give me place
in history where foul slanders and
my own weaknesses are forgotten.
God has been good. / do not need
an office for my name to live. When
Cole L Blease stood up before 5000
people and said. He is good man;
he would make a good Governor; he
has been badly treated by the sour
rilous politicians of South Caro-
lina," he made a personal friend
that will last him after the miserable
bootlicks and sycophants have turn
ed on him, like those who used to
lick Tllman's hand and at his bid
ding drove the steel into my heart
and are now ready to drive it into
Tillman's for the favor of another.
Senator Tillman has served a great
purpose, he does not need an office
to perpetuate his fame. but he is a
man, poor weak clay, same as |. In
US both is that unperishable spark,
that after death has washed the
dross away, will shine clear and
bright. Why should he still seek to
dim the luster of my star? envy
him not the faintest ray of his own.
/ rejoice in all true greatness. and
sorrow in what is little, for are we
not all MEN?
God must judge between US and
the balance He strikes shall be for
all eternity. l long ago forgave
him, (Tillman), his letter shows he
has never been able to do chat.
God does not expect repentance.
except from the near" great. Life
is pose to SO per cent. The world
is q stage. My sense of humor
saves me. 1t made me laugh, to see
how utterly the public misconstrues
the true character of both myself
and Tillman. 1t is the joke of the
century.
Tillman's pose from the beginning
has been bluff, brutal honesty,
"Pitchfork Ben." Give 'em hell
and rub it in" He over played his
hand a little. Down underneath
lives the most astute player of the