The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1914-08-18

occasion 10 6AlGuu 10 lIt H4G-I-DS49 > ~
the State campaign party genuine
welcome 10 my home town and the
grand old county Of Laurens, a coun-
ty that has never failed to do her
duty as she saw it. You are standing
today on historic ground consecrated
by the memory of heroes in five
wars and their descendants are facing
you today, worthy sons of worthy
sires. 1t gives me peculiar pleasure
to extend a cordial, heartfelt greet
ing to my competitors in the race for
governor of the proud old State Of
South Carolina.
II shall not discuss here the i'm
portant issues that are before us, but
give my time to our honored guests.
But you will pardon me in saying that
in seeking this high Office I am actu-
ated by my great love for the State Of
my birth, the land Of my childhood
and my home until shall sleep upon
the hillside yonder. In the language
of the immortal and classic Virgil
GAS long as the river flows on to the
sea, as long as the shadows fall upon
the mountain side, as long as the
heavens feed the stars" just so long
will the welfare and honor of the old
Palmetto State be my sacred charge,
whether as governor or as private
citizen in the humble walks of life.
again, gentlemen. I bid you Wsl-
come to our city and county. The
keys are turned over to you. II you
do not see what you want, ask for it."
He was showered with bouquets
and the audience again cneered as he
feelingly thanked them for their en-
h1ens Of love.
William C. Irby, Jr., OF Laurens, was
also accorded a generous welcome
as he arose and said:
GAS the question mas beNs. asked,
why Mr. Cooper and 1 are in this
race. I wish to answer: Mr.. Cooper is
nv personal friend, and an honest
man, and there is nothing in reason
that I would not do for him, but we
represent different views in politics.
Ask who is supporting him here and
consider the fact that a great daily
paper, owned or. controlled by one OF
the biggest and most powerful bankers
in this State, is so afraid that the
people will not know for whom to
vote that it carries his name in big
type, with instructions to vote for
him, at the head Of its editorial page.
If he is not with them why are the
big financial interests supporting
him? The people may at times be
in their men, but the big
financial interests never. I will do him
Justice to say that his entrance into
their ranks is so recent that he still
realizes the aspirations Of his people,
and I believe would yield to many just !
demands, but he could not become a
fighter in their cause without aliena-
ting many of his present supporters i
and being distrusted by the people.
"You know where have stood for.
12 years. YOU have trusted me, and
two years ago, in one of the bitterSst
fights this county has had in years,
although my enemies predicted thai
I would be overwhelmingly defeated,
YOU elected me, the only one on the
first ballot with nine men in the race.
After your loyalty to me, after the
legislature had turned do7 nearly
everything you sent me there to work
for. would I not have been a coward
If had laid down on the job and not
appealed to the people of this State to
put me in a position that whend call
on the legislature for the passage OF
laws that they will know that it is not
mine, but the voice of the people
speaking to them through me? Be-
cause of my stand for the rights OF
the people I have received many bitter
cuts. I have often been in your
midst, with a heavy heart, but you
did not know it. I have been arming
myself with the sword Of truth and
Justice. and there are men here that
can bear witness that in this cam
paign my thrusts have sunk deep IN
the financial octopus that is fastening
itself upon the people. You, my
friends, have ever protected me from
slander and calumny and should l be.
elected governor, while busy fighting
for laws for the protection of my peo-
nle. 7 will do as in the past, leave