Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-04-30
BLEASE IN CHARLESTON
Candidate For Senate Makes Aa'
dress To Large Audience.
HAS been BADLY misunderstood
Former Governor Says He Has Never
Criticised President Wilson ana
Stands Ready to Back Him to the
=inish

Criticised President Wilson ana
Stands Ready to Back Him to the
finish.
Charleston American. Friday.
At the artillery hall last night ah'''
much enthusiasm former Gorerh"'
Coleman l.. Bleasc, candidate for '"'
United States senate. delivered nas-
nificient, inspiring and loyal address
before as representative an audience
as ever greeted any candidate. Inc
large hall was filled. many standins
in the doorways and along the walls
Many ladies were among the crowd
which voiciferously cheered the appear
ance of the former governor. who was
introduced as one Of South Caroiiha
most loyal citizens and the next Cnlt'u
States senator, by W. Turner Logan
Mr.. Blease began by reiterating MS
friendship for Charleston. whose peo-
ple he had always loved. In this con-
ncction he said:
"In days gone by when Charleston
was attacked it was my privilege anu
my pleasure 10 take her part. A IL"
years ago q very important lnsti'n-
tion in your city was designated as Il
dude factory. 1t was said that all IL
was good Tor was TO turn out patent .
leather cigarette smokers. There WAS
danger OF the appropriation iaiiih'
Though. | investigated the institution
and il was my pleasure at that time
to defend and save the appropriation
for the Citadel. As governor | had
the privilege Of signing the largest ap-
propriation the Citadel ever had, ana
the pleasure Of signing the bill making
possiblc the additions which now make
such handsome structure.
Another instance | am proud OIL
4 few years ago the Medical college
was assailcd as having served Its pur-
pose. II was my pleasure as governor
TO send a message to the senate, win
the result that the Medical college was
saved to Charleston.
while others have said destroy,
il mas been my pleasure to help IN
building up. When others fought to
put Charleston in the black district
! fought against it,"
Proves His Loyalty.
Referring to charges brought against
his loyalty to the government, he
stated that in his Pomaria speech over
4 year ago he had taken the same
position with reference to the war as
President Wilson took in his recent
address at Baltimore, reading extracts
from both to substantiate his state
ment. Continuing he said:
1T has been charged that l have
criticised the president OF the United
7stutrs.- Tis ubsorutery unrrue. !
was against the nomination Of Wood
row Wilson in 1927 was for Judson
Harmon, Of Ohio-but when Mr.. VIII
son was nominated urged all Of my
friends to register their votes for him.
| have never criticised the president.
Stanu TtauS W btch hii W 'hS -"
ish.
IL was opposed TO America entering
the war, as were many more loyal
citizens. If you are going TO apply
the acid test. what Of Kitchin. OF
North Carolina, leader Of the Demo-
Gratis in the house, who voted against
war? What OF Fitzgerald, OF New
York; the venerable Joe Cannon, and
the other members Of congress who
voted against war? Are they charged
with dislo.alty? They were not dis
loyal, and neither was |, in opposing
Americas entrance into the war.
For Political Purposes
The newspaper editors charging him
with disloyalty were denounced by Mr..
Blcase, who said. ANY editor who
wrote that | was not loyal to the gov
crnment knew when he was writing II
that he was writing a lie. He knew
that was loyal, but for political ef-
feet they let the lie go.
when South Carolina and other
southern states seeded from the Union
Robert f.. Lee was an officer in the
ifIion army and was opposed to Sc
ccsson but when his native state
signed the declaration of secession
Ice resigned from the Union army
and took command of the Confederate
forces. Where Is the man who would
dare charge Lee with disloyalty be-
cause he opposed war between the
states? One OF the strongest oppo-
nents to War of Secession who spoke
against 1t and wrote against 1t was
chosen, when war was declared, to be
the vice president of the Confederacy.
Alexander II. Stephens. Were they
disloyal? No. But. forsooth, because
| was opposed to this war 1t was n
great crime"
He stated that since the declaration
OF war he had done all he could for
the interests of his country. While he
had opposed the draft law, he had re-
fused to test 1t in the courts. although
friends had urged him to do so, Offer
ing to put up all the money needed
for the purpose. He had advised them
against 1t.
When the famous Dick law first
came up in regard to white soldiers
saluting negro officers he opposed it..
and fought 1t as long as he could.
But when 1t became law. he told his
friends to stand by it. He opposed the
passage of n similar law in this state.
but it is on the books. "A company
of white soldiers, whose white officers
have been killed, will have to
fight under q negro officer. II he hap
pens to be next in rank, and you can
thank your so-called governor for this
law being passed in the state Of South
Carolina"
Palmetto Boys Scattered.
Where are the Palmetto boys to-
day." he asked. Scattered to the four
winds OF the world, sent here and
there to fill up gaps. When the his
tory Of this war is written you will