The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1914-06-20

said of the nation when he expressed
the hope, in his service as president
Of the United States, the hearts of all
men in the United States for the SER
vice Of q nation that has no region,
nor section, nor North, nor South
might be brought together. So let US
come from the various sections of
our state with mind and heart united
in a common cause. Let our councils
be free from factional differences,
strife and needless and senseless con-
tention. These can only result in
that spirit Of intolerance which is far
below the plane Of true statesman
ship. Let the watchwOrd of this ses-
sion be harmony, and an earnest, con.
scientious cooperative effort for the
accomplishment Of constructive leg
ialation as far as we see the needs
OF the State"
1t Is my earnest hope that this
spirit may now prevail, and that we
may all unite in conserving the high
est good and welfare of our State.
1t is my purpose to make clean
manly, aggressive campaign, and if
am honored by our people as their
choice for this great trust / shall use
every honorable effort to promote
their real good, their real prosperity
and happiness.
What II. A. Cooper Advocates.
Synopsis of speech OF r. A. Cooper,
Of Laurens, candidate for governor,
delivered today:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow Citizens:
Thtis is the first time in my life 20
offer my services to the people Of
South Carolina. ! am glad to live in
a country where the humble citizen
may offer himself for the highest and
most important office. The position Of
governor Of State is more import
ant to the people Of the State than
any other office. The constitution
under which we live makes the gov
ernOr "thc supreme executive author
ity'' Of the State. 1t also provides
that "he shall take care that the laws
he faithfully executed in mercy"
He has power to grant reprieves.
combinations and pardOns, except in
cases of impeachment, in such man.
ner, on such terms, and under such
restrictions as he shall deem proper"
Also, that the governor shall, from
time to time, give to the general as
Gembly information Of the condition
OF tho State, and recommend for it's
consideration such measures as nc
shall deem necessary and eXpedient."
In brief. the welfare, the happiness
and tho material prosperity Of the
State rest in no small degree, in the
hands of the chief executive.
Such being the scope of the duty
and authority Of a chief magistrate,
the selection Of one to this high of-
flee Is a matter Of very great import
ance. If I am not mistaken, it was
Thomas jefferson, tho great Demo-
crat, who said that in a republican
form of government like ours, the
honest voter, when called upon to Sc
lect one to fill an Office, should ask
himself three questions:
1st. Is he competent?
End. Is he worthy? and
3rd. Will he be faithful?
1t is upon these grounds that ]
would place my candidacy for this
great office, the greatest in the gift Of
the people Of my native State. And
let me say here and now that I sim
ccrely trust that during the campaign
upon which we today enter it will be
the controlling purpose of each and
every candidate to be measured by
the people of the State upon the ba.
sis Of his fitness for tho public ser.
vice. I would refuse to accept any
office at the hands Of my people up.
ual qualifications for service in the
particular Office sought. If it shall
be my good fortune to be nominated
governor Of this State In the an.
preaching primary, it will be my con-
Htant desire to render to the people
Of this State the best service that is
in me.
do not suppose that there is u
candidate before the people of South
Carolina today who will not readily
concede that the most important
question before the people Of the
state, and the one which will continue
to be Of most Importance, is that If
providing facilities for the education
of our boys end girls. We should
bear in mind that a great majority
Of the children Of this State will re-