The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1918-08-22
Candidates for SEN
ate Spoke Here Fri.

senate spoke to an audience variousy
estimated at from 800 to 600 people at
Pickens last Friday. 1t was recalled
that it was here that ex-Gov. Blease
made one of his anti-war speeches last
August, four months after the United
States entered the war, and referred to
President as "climatiZed Yankee"
and the state council Of defense as a
council of liars.
The letter Of President Wilson in
which he said that Blease was not and
could not be friend of the administra-
tion was read by two of the candidates.
Messrs. Blease and Peoples, candi-
respectively, were not at the meeting
Friday.
Senator Christie Benet, candidate for
the short term, was first speaker and
made splendid impression upon the
audience. Said war was the biggest
issue in the campaign and the challenge
that it was not would be met by any
man who had a son in France or SER
vice flag on his door: Said the Charles
ton American, q. daily paper, was the
mouthpiece of Rlease, but it had no
right to speak for Democrats of South
Carolina. Holding up a copy of that
paper containing pictures Of John p.
Grace, Paul Wierse and John X. Aull,
all connected with the American, he
said the post office department had
forced the removal Of Mr.. Grace as ed
itor of that paper on account Of his pro-
Germanism, that Mr.. Wierse was now
on his way to the penitentiary for aid
ing Germans in this state after we had
entered the war, and that Mr.. Aull
went to Washington with John l..
McLaurin two years ago in an attempt
to secure Republican money to try to
carry South Carolina in favor of Hughes
and against Wilson for president Said
the Charleston American is fighting ev-
cry candidate who is for Wilson, but is
supporting Blease and Peoples. Has
been in the senate since July and on
account of being acquainted with many
Democratic leaders there was not long
in getting into harness. Has been ap-
pointed on several committees. Is Il
strong supporter of the administration
and wants to help end war soon as pos
sible, making good job of it. Believes
it better to send five million to France
for one year than to send one million
for five years. In reference to Mr..
Blease's offer to raise and lead a regi-
ment in the war Mr.. Benet said the for
mer governor claimed he always stuck
to his friends and that if allowed to
raise regiment he would probably ap-
point as major his former friend and
bodyguard, w. P. Beard of Abbeville,
who is now in the penitentiary for op-
posing the draft act; would appoint as
captain Paul Wierse of Charleston, an
other friend who is on his way to the
pententiary for aiding Germans in this
country. and would appoint as leuten.
ant Albert Orth Of Charleston, another
friend who is in the pententiary fo,
aiding Germans IN this country and
that with Blease in the lead followed
by his three officers wearing convict
stripes it would "make hell of look.
ing regiment, take it from me-"
W. F. Pollock, the second speaker,
said Blease's record would follow the
ex-governor like Banquo's ghost. Had
South Carolina elected Blease to the
United States senate four years AGO.
this state would have contributed ono
to the little band of wilful men, as
Blease himself had said he would have
fought Wilson and congress on the wa,
issue. Referring to the truth spread
ing crusade, which Blcasc had commen