The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1913-11-13

TlllmaneSQue tnaC "uen L ledu II
Yesterday, l hardly knew whether
to laugh or cry; cuss or pray. l
expect a little of all is in order.
He hits Blease with meat axe,
pitchforks me, ignores Smith and
spits in Simms's face.
| am not going to let myself loose
tif l can help it,. The situation is
too serious, for from the way l feel
and 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 |
have never been able to get entirely
over an early affection for Senator
Tillman. l have said hard things my
self, but l don't like to hear other
people say one word against him. If
l had conquered and had him down,
| would never have rubbed sand in
his eyes. His letter 10 distinctly Of
fensive: Johnny is smart, but he is
a 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 bal
ance of the week, he can go to the
movies Saturday." I feel like say
ing 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 Taught at him. | used
to take him and myself too seriously.
/ will say, however, that God never
made 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. l have suffered the bitter fate
that comes to all advanced thinkers.
After "pitcnforks" are forgotten and
dung heaps" plowed under, the
state warehouse idea with agricul-
tural products as a bankable asset
will give me a place in history, where
foul ISLANDERS and my own weakness
es 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 good
governor, he has been badly treated
by the scurrillious 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 an
other. 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 l.
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? l envy him not the
fainteSt ray of his own, l rejoice in
all true greatness, and sorrow in
what is little for are we not ali MEN.
God must judge between us and
the balance he strikes shall be for
all eternity. l long ago forgave him;
his letter shows he has never been
able to do that.
God does not expect repentance
except from the near great. Life
is a pose to SO per cent. The world
is a stage. My sense of humor saves
me. 1t made me laugh, to see how
utterly the publicemisconstrues the
true character of both myself and
TiIman. 1t is the joke of the CEN
tury.
Tillmans pose from the beginning
has been bluff, brutal honesty,
"Pitchfork Ben" Give 'em hell and
rub it in" He overplayed his hand a
little. Down underneath lives the
most astute player of the political
game that ever dealt a card. The
only man without college training
that I ever knew with a classical
education. Under that roughness,
exquisite literary tastes. A giant
mind that has read, digested and as
simulated the wisdom of all the ages,
and applied it to practical politics.
Beneath buster is the subtle genius
of a Tallyrand, he has made every
man in South Carolina vote for him
one time or another I laughed with
him when the Gonzales solemnly
voted for him last summer.
am no politician, | haven't fool
cd anybOdv and Tillman has fooled