The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-03-09

for the United States senate to sue.
ceed myself.
JUST before the primary in 1914 ]
announced that 1 would not again be
Il candidate, stating Il shall not try
to succeed myself" At that time
"hile there. was war in Europe, the
United States had not entered the
conflict and no one-certainlv not
president Wilson-expected us to en-
ter it, Most assuredly, the nation did
not wish to mix in this great world
conflict. For while Germany pre-
tended to respect our neutrality. She
made fair promises about not sinking
our ships, but all the while she was
bending all of her energies to build q
fleet of submarines. When she was
ready she mapped off great areas of
the ocean which from the beginning
OF the world had been free to all peo.
pies and notified the nations that she
would, without warning, sink any ship
that dared to enter these areas. In
pursuance Of this threat she proceed
ed to sink our ships, causing the death
OF hundreds of innocent men, wo-
men and children-citizens of the
United States. In self respect we
were forced to enter the war: and
we are in that war to the finish unless
we are to belle all our traditions and
lose all Of the rights, liberties and in
herited privileges bequeathed to us by
our forefathers.
Everything has been changed by
our entry into the war. The life Of
the individual is no longer his own.
1t belongs to the nation; and every
man ought to be guided by that con-
sideration alone-a sense of duty to
his country. How can 1 best serve
my country?" is the only question pa
triots are asking themselves. Consid-
ering my own case, the conclusion /
have reached is that can best serve
my country by continuing in the sem
ate. Having determined that it is my
duty, will not be deferred from ask
Ing for reelection because of a state
ment 1 made in 1914 under entirely
different circumstances.
In reaching this conclusion 1 have
naturally been influenced in greai
measure by the hundreds Of letters
from patriotic citizens in every section
of the State, who have urged upon mt
the view that, having given to me
every Office to which / have aspired
1t would be base ingratitude on my
part If / should retire in this crisis
when they believe it to be my duty to
ask for reelection.
know that twenty three years OF
service here-the best of which
was capable--have given me a po-
sition which no new man, however
brilliant he may be, could hope to at
tain. Since the Democrats took charge
OF the government, / have been chair
man of the Committee on Naval At
fairs. My best efforts have been Civ
en- to the creation Of great navy;
and for the navys readiness to G;
fectively cooperate with the allies and
the success it has met in curbing the
u-boat menace, / can justly claim
much credit. / know that my init
mate knowledge Of naval affairs, re-
sulting from my long service, enables
me now to be of real service to my
government. If 1 retire the chair
of the committee on naval
affairs is lost to the State
Every day scores of letters come
to me from soldiers and sailors and
from their relatives asking me for
service and for advice. 1 know that
my intimate acquaintance with de-
officials makes it possible
H.. v
dealings with government officials
have given me their respect and
friendship. My principle has always
been to ask for South Carolina only
what she was entitled to. Having ask
ed for something have always Tough.
until I got tiff it were possible to
get it at all.
In view Of my conviction, that I am
now better able than ever before to
serve the nation and my State, if re-
tired because of the statement made
in 1914 it would be an act of coward
ice, disregard of the best interes, $
of South Carolina, and an Injustice 10
our boys who have offered their lives
in defense of their country. | have
everything to lose and nothing to gain