Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-02-26
BRAINY, BUT
Being a Discussion Of the Political
Character Of John L. Mclaurin.

Sharacter OF Jonn l.. mCIduTln.
Grccnville Piedmont.
\ citizen of IeSslic. :. g.. wrote a
letter. recently published In the
Greensboro. y. G., News over the
analytically and interestingly with
South Carolina politics. concerning
McIaurin he wrote:
"McIs,urin has brains. For sheer
ability TO think constructively no man
in public life in South Carolina Is his
equal. lie has the power To see the
vision. His gray matter functions
with wonderful precision, nor does
it need the stimulus OF other minds.
He Is no absorber OF other mems
ideas.
That is high praise. but even many
who do not like McIllurin and would
not vote for him To hold public office.
will admit that il Is Il just estimate
Of Marlboro county's ablest son. The
public debt Of South Carolina could
be paid and the state put on a cash
hss.s s.s x. 4. 81 81 Il e1is-5y Ouiu
dollar for each time somebody In this
state has said: "McLaurin IL the
brainiest public man in South Caro-
lima, but"
but me no butts" for that but is
like BanquO's ghost. il simply will
not down.
''Pedagogue" further wrote: MIC
then proceeded To set forth at length
his conception OF what II is that Nc
Laurin lacks. In short, his c0nccp-
tion Is that McIaurin was too Re
publican" when serving in the United
States senate. That is Il grave
charge-but, II il be investigated
now, must not the confession he made
that much which McI&,urin favored
then that was considered "Republi-
can" is now openly supported by
practically the whole Democratic
party? For instance. McIaurin was
roundly condemned for favOring de-
vcloping an American merchant ma
rinc through government assistance.
That was Il case where he was right
and the narrow-minded bigots who
blackguarded him did not have vision.
Suppose his advice had been taken
at the time 1t was given, this country
today would have had adequate ship
ping for its war needs at Il small
fraction Of what will he the cost TO
the government Of providing 1t now.
Other counts I'm the indictment OF Nc
Laurin at the time he was denied the
privilege Of running in the Democra-
tic primary for denomination for
United States senator could be taken
up and in the same way shown to be
but inability Of lesser minds to COM
prehend his wonderful foresight.
The Columbia State. which has al
ways under its various editors had
an unconquerable aversion to any
politician who dared to think his own
thoughts instead Of accepting its con-
clusions as law and gospel. says the
trouble with McIaurin il that he will
not stay 'hitched." That Is but an
other way OF expressing what "Peda-
gogue' charged. but The State was
mighty glad that he did not stay
hitched when his independence helped
to put Joseph II. Earle In the United
States senate instead Of that John
Gary Evans who in 1t so venomously
denounced while he was governor and
a candidate for senator but with
whom it has of recent years worked
in beautiful and touching harmony.
The trouble with AcLaurin Is that
the habit Of factional thought has
become SO fixed with most Of us that
we are incapable Of appreciating the
bigness Of a man too big to be willing
to wear the blind bride Of unques-
tioning and answering factionalism.
McLaurin has his faults, but
niether "Pedagogue" nor the Colum-
bia State has correctly diagnosed
them. In reality, their indictments
Of him when examined by a man not
blinded by partisanship are compli-
ments.
Real individuality Is 80 extremely
rare that II is resented by the aver
age man who does not POSSESS it.