The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1918-05-17
NO ELEVENTH HOUR
PATRIOTS WANTED

| Of all former factions with equal
fervor. The "slow down" periods,
when awaiting committee reports,
was utilized in patriotic speeches,
and some eloquent appeals we're
made from every section of the
State, and all shades of former po-
litical faith and alignment, indicat-
ing the temper of the people ''back
home"
W. P. Pollock of Cheraw, presi-
dent of the convention, made the
keynote speech, which embodied
largely the sentiment of the entire
a~ssemblage. A scathing denunciation
of alleged disloyal remarks of a GER
tain South Carolinian characterized
this address. The man from Cheraw
consigned those giving utterance to
these remarks "to hell along with the
Habsburgs and Hohenzollerns." CIV
cry man back home who is disloyal
might as well stab a knife in. the
back Of the young. men as to fail to
support the government in this criti-
cal hour" If such a man did not
repent, "May the devil take the soul
and burn it forever and a day.,
Mr.. Pollock continued in a storm of
applause. The people e always
true, except when. misled by some
damnable demagogue," and they can
be counted on to send only 100 per
cent. Americans to the United States
senate or to any other Office in the
approaching campaign.
Following Mr.. Pollock's address,
the convention, on motion Of E. D,
Blakeney of Kershaw, invited Seaa-
tor Tillman to address the conven-
ton. Senator Tillrnan was accom-
panied to the rostr1m by Mr.. Blake
ney, John C. Sheppard of Edgefield,
and j.. j. Evans of Marlboro. Mr.
Tillman's entrance was received
with great enthusiasm and he was
often applauded while reading his
speech. i
Senator Tillman left the hall soon
after.
Ex-Governor John c. Sheppard
was called upon during n of the
committee report awaits" and made
an eloquent appeal for support; of the
government in the present crisis.
MI. Sheppard has two sons in France
Wants Simple Epitaph.
"Of course, I am praying for their
safe return" he said. "But if it
please God that they shall fall on the
battlefield, the only epitaph I shall
ask is this simple inscription: 'Stran-
ger, say to- the American people that
we lie here in obedience to their
law"
Mr.. Shepard says the allies ought
to ask that the German emperor and
the crown prince be delivered "bodi-
ly'' that they might be banished to
st. Helena or other place of confine-
ment when the war is over.
Col. R. B. Watson of Ridge Spring,
a veteran of the War Between the
Sections, who has passed his 82nd
birthday, was next called. The vet
eran made an urgent appeal for sup
port of the Red Cross and the Young
Mems Christian Association. He
would feel mean if he accumulated
one dollar, this year, with so much
of the world hungry and naked. The
priests and Levites have no place in
America, he c~ontended, and such are
mot half men,"
John L. McLaurin was invited to
speak and opened with several flash.
es of artillery against those who had
been against the war and were now
Boosting their patriotism. The peo-
| pie can be trusted not to elect any
man who hasn't been with the gov
eminent on the war issues from its
declaration. No man could support
the government ~zealously in the
prosecution of the war, who was
against Woodrow Wilson, as loyalty
to Wilson and the government were
synonymous. He would oppose his