The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-05-18

now, once and forever. 1t is can
cerous growth that should be cut up
by the roots. Naturally 1 do not want
TO be defeated in my old age, but
had rather go down in defeat than
enter upon the diabolical and Grimm
al business of attempting to debauch
my fellow citizens. Such conduct is
treason.
l can justly claim to be the father
of the primary system, just as I also
claim to have compelled the Demo-
cratic State committee to inaugurate
the county to county canvass. 1 shall
not see this destroyed, if l can help
it. Blackguards have caused it to
descend into mud Singing match.
But the people should remember that
it served good purpose in 1890, when
men like Earle, BrattOn and Tillman
were asking them for their votes. and
it may serve a good purpose again.
II it is killed, it will be a bad thing
for the State and will enable the
newspapers. too often the tools of
capitalists and corporations, to
"bambOozle" the people and deceive
them.
This is the message I bring to my
people: the world is passing through
the greatest crisis in history. 1t re-
quires men of wisdom and experience
as well as faith and vision to guide
the destinies of this nation The peo-
pie OF South Carolina will decide
whether l or another man shall be
elected one of their senators.
AS your senator now, and as chair
man of the great committee on naval
affairs Of the senate, I am proud to
say to you that when the test came
those of us connected with the navy
could truthfully tell our people "All
is we'll with the fleet" 1t has convoy
ed through the submarine zone trans
ports carrying more than 500, 900 men,
and their supplies. and this, too,
without the loss of single man.
Feeling as / do, with my record of
achievement in the past and with the
work / am doing now. I am confident
the people will allow me the privi-
lcge of serving them further. But,
win or lose. want the voters of this
State to know exactly where / stand
on the one issue before them-the
war issue-and on this 1 can but re-
peat what l have said before: ITO
hell with all German sympathizers
and thank God for Woodrow WILSON,!
The Platform Adopted.
I'm this great crisis which con-
fronts our government and all gov
crnments Of civilized nations of the
world, we congratulate the people o
the Union that their destinies are
the hands of democratic leader
whose love of democracy, human lib.
erty and Christian civilization has
been exhibited in a manner to COM
mand tho admiration and respect of
the people of the world irrespective
OF race or nationality.
we earnestly appeal to our people
to real and recognize that we arc
engaged in an American war. a war
against Imperialism and militarism
Wherever existing; war for the
preservation and perpetuation of
American principles and ideals; for
the freedom of commercial relations
That will give to our farmers and pro-
ducers the right to sell their products
In the markets of the world and to
obtain therefor a price obtained by
honest competition, free from imper-
iaiistc DEGREES which must lead finally
to vassalage. and return to feudal .
ism.
we commend the conduct of our
representatives in congress who have
been loyal and true to these prin-
ciples and who have had the vision to
foresee the results of an unsuccessful
termination Of this war. and who
nave had the manhood toy support the
president by declaration Of war
against the enemies of democracy.
and we pledge our minds our lives
ana our resources i'm securing a vic
tory that will bring a permanent
peace to the world. We believe that
such permanent peace can only be
obtained by the absolute subjugation
OF Germany and her allies.
we recognize IN the selective draft