The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-02-09


is our deadliest menace. Millions OF
dollars were sent here to hire news
paper editors and public men. Eight
million dollars were traced to one
German agent for distribution; it is
known where some of this money
went. The result is shown in the sys-
tematic spread of German propagan-
da They have burned up millions Of
dollars Of property; they have used
poison in water and food and all the
htime are sowing the seeds of dissen-
sion. This war can olny be won by
lself-sacrifice and unity of action. If
the confidence Of the country in
President Wilson could be destroyed
we would be an easy prey to Ger
many. / have studied this subject
carefully and if we do not conquer
G Germany in Europe we will have her
to fight in this country. The same
causes now operating overthrow Rus
sia. and but for drastic action would
have destroyed England the first year
of the war. In France a former
prime minister" has been proven to
have been in the pay of Germany.
am not making charges against
any one in South Carolina at this
time. i think our real trouble is
more lack Of understanding than of
disloyalty. Germany would have been
defeated before this if it had not been
for her spy system. If Russia had
fought on six months longer the war
would have been over, but German
agents undermined the confidence of
the people and gave the Kaiser a ne,
lease Of life. The same thing hap
pened in Italy; her troops frater-
nized with the Germans instead Of
fighting them, and now italian wo-
men are being dragged into the
trenches and outraged where their
screams. can reach their helpless
brothers in the trenches. Their only
nope is for the German army here
with poison. sediton and fire to un-
dcrmine the support Of President Will
son.
tell you plainly that If La Fol-
lette dictates successor to his re-
Gently deceased colleague and we
elect from Democratic South Caro-
lima a man bitterly hostile to Presi-
dent Wilson, it will be powerful
lever in Germany to rekindle hope
and prolong the war. 1t will cost the
lives of thousands of the dear, brave
boys in khaki, and 1 would rather
save one Of them than to have any
Office on earth. do not know Of any
thing which would give more encour-
agement to pro-German sentiment
ihan to elect an ex-governor who has
In season and out proclaimed him
self sworn enemy of the president.
surround him with the privileges Of
United States senator and consider
MIN a more dangerous man than La
Toilette at this time.
lou can do as you please, but
am going to stand by the men charg-
ed with the conduct of this war. 1t
Is the only way that we can conccn-
fate our power for self-defense in
this most terrible epoch in human
history. This Is all there is to it,
gentlemen. You misunderstood my
reference to obtaining support for the
warehouse bill. said II had to
reckon with the veto power Of the
governor Fa actional feeling was 50
intense that l knew the only chance
OF passing the measure was to make
IL an administration bill and then get
Such support from the other side as
could on its merits. In most coun-
tries that would be considered states
manship. Your communication is q
Sau JuStilcation of the letter | wrote
ana your reference to "principleS" n
pathetic illustration of blunted moral
sense in public affairs. My friends,
performed an unpleasant duty, be-
cause | felt that somebody "ought 10
taik out in meeting" and it seemed to
DO up 10 me. | recognize the foun
tain from which YOU draw your own
inspiration. at is the hand of Esau
nut the voice Of Jacob" ! wanted to
be square and straight. know what
you boys expect, but | can not come
across IT won't do any good to
abuse me. 'rhc truth is might to
prevail" You can not get away from
it.
Yours very truly.
John l.. McLaurln.