Lexington dispatch-news. [volume] (Lexington, S.C.) 1917-1919, 1918-08-21

mands. but I wish to say to the peo
pie of South Carolina that the charg-
es which have been brought against
me are false. and I desire to quote
from the Columbia State of Septem-
ber 5. 1917. in regard to what The
Columbia State then thought of me:
The address of Thomas H. PEOPLES.
retiring president of the National AS
sociation of ATTORNEYS General. print
ed elsewhere. leaves no shade of
doubt Of his patriotic LOYALTY to the
United States and the cause of the
United States in the war. His ring
ing words in the convention at Sara
toga Springs reflects honor Oh South
Carolina"
I am a free-born American. stand
ing in nv own boots. without apology
to the newspapers or any other set
of ringleaers, and any charge or in
sinuation that I entered the race for
the Senate bv the direction of DO
lit:cal caucus is wilfullv and malici-
ouslv untrue. I am individually
responsible. absolutely. for nv de-
termination in this matter. and for it
| have no regrets and no apologies tc
make to any man.
, i will add that the ATTEMPTED class
ifications by the newspapers IS onlv
indicative Of the result to follow IN
the readiustment Of economic. So
cial and political affairs after the war
and SO long as party is divided into
factions the result can only be re-
sort to- personal abuse. to which | can
not be party. and unless the voters
rebuke, such actions of vilificatlon.
ring rule. end newspaper oligarchv.
at the ballot box: We cannot longer
hope. for united party in South Car
olina. This is in answer to the news
papers, that have called upon me to
be frank" as to how *stand. -.
:: There are greater problems con-.
fronting the people zof South Caro-.
lima and the Nation than prejudice
and politics; aid the time is upon, ,.us'
to act as statesmen r rather than poll
ticians: The people are called upon
to elect men to: their officers who, are:
capable of Forgetting little things
and doing big things. who are. con-
scious Of the fact that there is such
a thing as unity and brotherhood a.
mong men. and, as l have stated in
the interview above referred to. cru.
cial matters are upon US. and each of
US individually and collectively must
act for the best interest Of the Nation
TODAY and for time to come. So far
as my position. with reference to the
war and my loyalty to my Govern
ment and our President is concerned
that needs no defense. I cannot sit
idly bv and see our young man.
hood proudly marching off in the
great army of freedom to do and to
die for the eternal right that man.
kind be not crucifed upon the cross
of imperialism without Joining hand
and heart with those heroes and their
loved ones and so long as am in a
position to act will act for them and
for my Nation as any true American
would do: and when / am elected to
the Senate. I pledge to the people of
South Carolina. to the Nation and to
the President my continued co-opera-
ton in bringing to a final conclusion
victory and success in defense Of Ii.
berty. democracy and Justice. These
principles will not sacrifice for anv
man or set Of men. and contrary eff
fort ON the part of politicians to
drive me into a declaration in keep
ing with their preiudeed views. I
most emphaticaliv refrain from.
81. AS TO ISSUES
So far as the issues of national af-
fairs are concerned. the short time to
serve the people in the capacity Of
United States Senator. for which l
am asking. cannot promise to bring
about material changes but only to CT
operate with the National Govern
ment. and the Democratic Party. in
everv effort to reach the goal for
which we all are aspiring. There
may be. and doubtless are. vital IS
sues other than the issues of the war
which affect and will affect the well
fare of our people and to them l
pledge my LOYALTY and support in CO.
operation with the Democratic mem
bers of the Senate. and to set forth