The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-06-05

I'm the first place, 1 resent your
imputation as to my patriotism and
motives, but my respect for your
years impels me not to notice furth-
er this part Of your letter. This is
time, however, if 1 may remark it,
which demands self-abnegation and
the subOrdinaton of selfish and am
bilious aims"
The governor stated that he had
discussed the senatorial situation
with President Wilson and Postmaster
I General Burleson with entire frank
ness "and stated to the latter that he
was at perfect liberty to tell you what
said"
The following is the full text of
the body of the letter, which was
written and mailed today:
Your letter, dated the 22d of Nav
and postmarked the 9th has been re-
ceivei, and 1 am replying thereto
promptly.
I'm the first place, / resent your
imputation as to my patriotism and
motives, but my respect for your
years impels me not to notice further
this part Of your letter. This is a
time, however, if L may remark it,
which demands self-abaegation and
the subordnation of selfish or ambi
tious aims.
Il shall answer your inquiry with
entire frankncss, as I have nothing
to conceal. though / do not admit
your right to question me on this
matter.
! You have been quoted as saying
that your health was such as to pre-
clude the possibility of your making
county -to-county campaign in your
race for the senate, and fl ON what l
have seen of you, believe that this
is true. Blease, an announced candi-
date for the United States senate, my
opinion was, and is, that it is i'm
perative for him to be met in debate
at every meeting, so as to keep the
true and vital issue of the war, and
loyalty TO our country and government
before the people; that, as you could
not make the campaign and meet
Blease in debate and keep the true
issue fully and forcibly before the
public, some one must be in the race
to do this; that we in South Carolina
could not take a chance on the issue;
that it was a State and national duty
to see to it that South Carolina was
represented in the United States sem
ate by one who was, and is, loyal to
the United States and strong sup
porter of President Wilson and his
administration. Blease does not fiji
these requirements.
The announcement OF your candi-
dacy IL your present state Of health
has caused deep concern to many
earnest men in this State, since it is
plain to all how dangerous our posi-
ton would be if your physical strength
is insufficient. | was one of "a large
the race. My reasons for this action
are stated above, but / am not re-
sponsible for his announcement, since
| am informed that he sought advice
of men in every quarter OF the State
before making his decision.
Il believe that YOU have been loya!
TO the president, and sound on the
war issue, but | know that the nation
al peril is such that we must have
men who are not only loyal but men
who are active III the senate as well.
1t is also imperative to pus before the
people the exceeding danger to our
nation, and your plan of conducting a
front porch or newspaper campaign
will fall far short of meeting the sit
uation. our people are most influ-
; cnced 10y the spoken word, and that
you nave long elhpIldSI"eu III your
political career. / know that It is
most important to inform our people
face to face about the war. in order
that they may know the whole truth.
MIR. Lever is a man of responsible
r ity and Judgment, and he would
doubtless resent the suggestion that
he is the candidate Of ANY man. His