Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-05-22
Address of Senator Tillman
Delivered Before the State
Democratic Convention.
Senator Tillman addressed the

convention as follows:
Mr.. President and Fellow citizens:
First, allow me to thank you Tor
the reception you have given me. l
haven't words sufficient to express
in fitting terms the gratitude l feel
for the love and trust the people OF
South Carolina have always shown
after they came to know me.
"found myself" at Bennettsville
in 1885 and began to know for What
purpose l had been sent into the
world. Ever since I have had only
one object in life-the honor and
welfare of South Carolina and her
people. At first, I was distrusted be-
u of my radicalism and frank
ness of speech; but the people soon
learned that I was not a hypocrlte
or a liar and that they could depend
on what 1 told them.
l served as governor for tour
wears. Then they sent me to the SEN
ate, and have kept me there ever
since. Four years ago 1 babe fare
well to public life and told the peo-
pie of South Carolina l would not
again ask them to re-elect me. My
health was poor and l sought to rest
from my labors until my time came.
But suddenly and unexpectedly the
wa, with Germany was forced upon
us. Honor, patriotism, and every
thing that men hold dear were put
in jeopardy. There was nothing for
US to do but fight. Under these
changed conditions I was confronted
with this question: "What is my du-
ty?" / knew that 1 held the impor-
tant craftsmanship of the committee
on naval affairs, and besides had
won the confidence and respect Of
many powerful and influential men
connected with the government.
This prestige and influence belong
ed to the State more than to me.
If I held to my announced purpose
not to offer for reelection, that
craftsmanship and all that went with
it would be lost to South Carolina.
After thinking it all over from all
viewpoints and consulting with my
friends, contrary to the expressed
wishes and advice of those l hold
dearest-my wife and children
reached the conclusion that the least
I could do was to allow the people
of South Carolina to decide Tor
themselves. Consequently, 1 offer
ed for reelection. I thought it was
my duty for these reasons:
Cardinals Enviable Position.
South Carolina now occupies a
very enviable position in our public
affairs. The Craftsmanship of the
committee on agriculture in the
house and the chairmanships of the
committee on naval affairs and the
SOUnlCCee OH llISlSCeSS
in the senate are held by three Of
its citizens. Long service, hard work
and high character alone can win
such high places. Occasionally AN
accident" breaks into the senate,
but after six years he is always elm
mated. In the house things are some
what different, but in the main the
same requirements there as IN the
senate obtain. In both branches OF
men must win their spurs
and be worthy of them to continue
long to wear them.
On March 9th I made the announce
ment asking the people of South Car
DINA to re-elect me for the fifth
time-something that falls to the
lot of few men and eve has fallen
to the lot of a South Carolinian in
the States history. l do not feel
worthy of it myself, but then circum-
stances and not l compel the situation
The senatorship belongs to the PEG
pie of South Carolina and no man
or set of men has any right to pick
the man to occupy it. If the majority
of the people want any other man
l want them to have him.
Recently sinister rumors began to
be industriously circulated. These
reports were whispered from ear to
ear. Most of you have heard them
and know to what l allude. say to
YOU l have not made and I will not
make any political deal with any man
or set of men. 1 am in this race to
stay and to win. Other stories have
been and are still being industriously
circulated. The most pitiless and
most pitiful one too, is that l am