The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1917-08-16
KAISER FORCED WAR.
Ex-senator Condemns Those Who
Would Create Anti-War Sentiment.

Bennettsville, Aug. S.-FOrmer
United States Senator John L. Nc
Laurin. of this city, has been doing
all in his power to assist in present.
ing to the people of Marlboro county
the importance of food production
and conservation of all products and
resources, and of cooperating in every
way possible with the government
in it's plans at this time. Realizing
the effectiveness of his work, some Of
his personal friends who have differ
ed from him at times on political
questions have suggested to him the
propriety of his making his position
known to the State at large. The
News and Courier correspondent
learning today that Senator McLaur-
in had written Mr. D. r. Coker a let
ter in accordance with his suggestion
OF friends, requested copy for pub
lication. 1t is as folloWs:
MIR. NIcLaurin's Letter.
Bennettsville, S. c., Aug. I, 1917.
Mr.. David R. Coker, Hartsville, S.
G.. Dear Mr.. Coker: I notice that
opposition is being fomented against
our State doing its full part in this
world war. l regard this as the
most momentous epoch since the birth
of Christ, and it seems to me that the
fate of popular government is going
to depend upon what the United
States may be able to do within the
next year. The administration at
Washington did all in its power to
keep out of war, but Germany forced
it upon us by the use of cruel and in
human methods.
am too old to volunteer for ac-
tual service in the field, but l am
perfectly willing to do anything in
my power to aid in this cause. | am
writing, to you as chairman of the
Council Of State Defense, because you
might hesitate to call upon me be-
cause of the fact that our political
affiliations have been different. In
the light of the great events which are
transpiring petty factional politics
seem very small to me.
We might as we'll understand that
the stake is the domination of the
world either by an autocracy under
German rulers or democracy under
United States leadership. Who doubts
that if England and France were
conquered that we would not have to
fight Germany as soon as she could
mobilize the resources Of the con-
quered peoples? Is it not more sensi-
BILE to fight when We are ready and
not when Germany is ready? The
success of Germany means the mega
ton of every governmental principle
in which we believe.
Germany means to keep Belgium,
Poland and Northern France, making
a vast military empire of middle Eu-
rope. She will control the Balkans
and the Dardenelles and take toll OF
all traffic with Asia. She will reor-
ganize and dominate Russia, and in
her own good time send vast armies
to attack the United States and force
an indemnity so great that we will
not have homes in which we live.
/ believe that we will be called
upon to make great sacrifices; all OF
the nations will suffer; but the fires
of war will burn away the dross and
out of it will come finer and higher
civilization. Germany has outraged
the conscience of the world by her
brutality to women and children IN
all of the conquered countries, to say
nothing of her ruthless submarine
warfare. She is bound to go down
before a world in arms.
If you can use me in any way, my
services are at your command.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) JNO. L. McLAURlN.