The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1913-11-07

all Is III OTueT.
He hits Blease with meat axe,
pitchforks me, ignores Smith and
spits in Simm's face.
I am not going to let myself loose
(if 1 can help it). The situation is
too serious, for from the way 1 feel
md he feels, we'd be fighting in a
pair of minutes and let South Caro-
lima go to the devil as we did before.
will honestly acknowledge that I
have never been able to get entirely
over an early affection for Senator
Tillman. I have said hard things my
self, but I don't like to hear othe,
people say one word against him. If
1 had conquered and had him down,
l would never have rubbed sand in
his eyes. His letter is distinctly Of
fensive: Johnny is smart, but he is
bad little boy, he sassed papa. Pa
pa 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 go to the movies"
Saturday. l feel like saying damn"
but Ill say, "Bless the Lord"
That letter discloses why I could
not get on with Tillman, why Lati-
mer couldn't, and why he and Smith
can't agree. An imperious will that
brooks no opposition. 1 could get on
with him now, I'd laugh at Him. I
used to take him and myself too ser
iously. will say however, that, God
never made a man big enough to talk
down to me. My record in the senate
needs no defence. / have done the
"penance" of the Every nearly great
man." who was too far ahead of his
time, have suffered the bitter fate
that come to all advanced thinkers.
After "pitchforks" are forgotten ard
"dung heaps" plowed under, the state
warehouse idea with agricultural
products as bankable asset will
give me a place in history, where
foul clanders 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 ny
before 5000 people and said he is
"good man, he would make a good
governor, he has been badly treated
by the scurrillous politicians of South
Carolina" he made a personal friend
that will last him after the miserable
bootlicks and sycophants have turned
on him, like those who used to lick
Tillman's" hand and at his bidding
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 great purpose,
he does not need an Office to perpet-
uate his fame, but he is man, poor
weak clay, same as I. 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 faint
est ray of his own. I 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. I long ago forgave him,
his letter shows he has never been
able to do that.
God does not expect repentance ex-
cept from the "near" great. Life is
pose to 90 per cent. The world is
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 cen
tury.
Tillman's pose from the beginning
has been bluff, brutal honesty,
"Pitchfork Ben" "Give 'em hell anu
rub it in" He overplayed his hand
little. Down underneath lives the
most astute player of the political
game that ever dealt card. The on
ly man without college training that
ever knew with a classical educa-
ton. Under that roughness, exqui-
site literary tastes. A giant mind
that has read, digested and assimi-
lated the wisdom of all the ages, and
applied it to practical politics. Be-
meath buster is the subtle genius of
a Tallyrand, he has made every man
in South Carolina vote for him one
time or another. laughed with him
when the Gonzales solemnly voted
for him last summer.
I am no politician, I haven't fooled