The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-08-03
BLEASE GIVES STATEMENT
on POMARIA SPEECH
Charleston American.

Columbia, July 3l.-The Columbia
State. badly frightened at the poll
trical trend in South Carolina at this
time, which will next summer sweep
into political oblivion the present
State administrator, of which the
Columbia State is the mouthpiece, this
morning devoted almost its entire
editorial space to criticism Of the
Pomaria address of former Governor
Blease, as reported in The Charles
ton American of Sunday morning, and
yet fails TO publish the report of the
speech upon which it's criticism is
based.
Asked # he cared to make any
statement, Mr.. Blease today said:
eyes, have noticed the editorial in
the Columbia State, and, as usue |, they
treat me very unfairly and unjustly
by quoting only brief excerpt from
a 35-minute speech, and thus misrep-
resenting my position to their readers.
If they would manifest spark of fair
ness. why didn't they publish from
The American the synopsis of my
speech upon which they based their
criticism? This narrow policy of theirs
is carrying out my statement at Po-
maria, viz:
To-day what do we find in this
great country of ours? We find the
press, wit. all it's might and power,
swinging itself Upon the side OF death
and destruction. We find that, for fear
OF losing that awful influence of mon
ey, it is willing to rush into the
trenches of France the bone and sinew
and the very flower of the manhood
OF the American republic. We find
more than that-that it fears, yea, it
covers beneath the lash of that inf1u-
ence, anG it gives to the people Of this
nation TO information except what
the editor wants the people to see; it
keeps the news from the people; it
hides the facts; it conceals the truth,
and it gives to us only those things
which it thinks will inspire passion
and will cause the mean and not the
good, the evil and not the godly in
us to come to the forefront in order
that the destruction may go on, and
call it-lnay God save the name-lib-
erty.
"The people can readily see that the
Columbia State is carrying out that
policy tc the letter, even in this edi-
toriaI, BIZ concealing what | did say,
and by trying, by Misrepresentation,
to create public opinion founded upon
a false basis
"My position is absolutely clear and
thoroughly consistent. I was opposed
to this war l studied the question
from every viewpoint. did not see,
nor have yet seen, any just and righ-
teous reason Why the United States
should be plunged into this bloody
slaughter of humanity, and had I been
a member of .congress-either senate
or house, should not only have cast
my ballet, but I should have done ey
erything in my power to have prevent
ed war or the passage of any war meas
ure. But as q true American. after
war has been declared by majority
I would have supported my country.
whether she be right or wrong. If
had the power today l would displace
from office. whether it be executive
judicial or legislative. every man who
was in favor of this war, and use ev-
cry effort I could to bring about peace.
of course without the sacrifice OF any
principle OF individual or national hon.
or. As We are in the war there are
but two courses to pursue. One is
to bring about peace. and the other
is to fight the war as rapidly as pos
sible> to a successful conclusion, be-
cause I am unalterably opposed TO
dragging on and stretching out of this
war for months at the sacrifice OF
the lives of our young american man
hood, the bone and s:new of this ma
tion and its dependence for the fu-'
ture, and with the fearful destruction
OF our property when it can be brought
to a final and victorious conclusion
speedily.
Il would be glad if personally you
would furnish to the Columbia State
a copy of this interview-not that !
have any hope that they will publish
it, but in order that, when in ny next