Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1918-05-21
TILLMAN TO CONVENTION
Senior Senator Makes Plea for Re-
election.
READS CAREFULLY PREPARED ADDRESS

kEAUS GAhffULLl rhErAhLU ADDhCSi
Convention Receives Former Political
Boss With Consideration and Gives
Him Cheers-Explains Why He
Changed His Mind About Retiring
From Politics.
One of the features of the recent
Democratic convention was the ap-
pearance of Senator Il. r. Tillman in
behalf Of his reelection. 1t was rath-
er curious setting in a way. The
convention was composed Of vast
majority of the element which con-
stituted the party that Tillman over
turned in his ascent to political domi-
nance. Among them are a few of the
their former affiliations and who have
been accepted into the old party.
There were also 4 small representation
Of the old Reform sentiment Of former
days. To the uninitiated the senator's
reception was apparently cordial, but
to the initiated it was a matter Of
studied courtesy. or the members
present 10 per cent were real friends.
The feelings of the other 80 per cent
involved kind Of hostile bcnevolence.
comprehended in the scmile of 4 once
fierce and powerful lion, now grown
old and toothlcss. He received ap-
plausc: but II was mainly the applause
that goes TO Il former bitter enemy
who is now dead. Senator Tillman
did not attempt any cXtemporancous
remarks. but read his address from
manuscript as follows:
Senator Tillman's Address
First. allow me to thank you for
the reception you have given me.
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.
Il found myself at Bennettsville in
1885 and began to know for what pur-
pose had been sent into the world.
Ever since have had only one object
in life-the honor and welfare Of
South Carolina and her people. At
first was distrusted because of my
radicalism and frankncss Of speech,
but the people soon learned that |
was not hypocrite or liar and that
they could depend on what l told
told them.
Il served as governor for four years.
Then they sent me to the senate and
have kept me there ever since. Four
years ago | bade farewell 10 public
life and said to the people of South
Carolina that / would not again ask
them to re-elect me. My health was
poor and l sought to rest from labors
until my time came. But suddenly and
unexpectedly the war with GERMANY
was forced upon us. Honor. patriotism
and everything that men hold dear
were put in jeopardy. There was MOTH
ing for us to do but fight. Under these
changed conditions l was confronted
with this question:: What is my
duty?' / knew that / held the impor-
tant Craftsmanship OF the committee on
naval affairs and besides. had won the
and respect OF many power
full and inhuentiol men connected
with the government The prestige and
influence belonged to the state more
than to me. If held to my ahnounc-
cd purpose not TO offer for reelection
that Craftsmanship and all that went
with il would be lost to South Caro-
lima. After thinking 1t all over from
t,r viewpoints and consulting win
many friends. contrary to the express
ed wishes and advice of those L holu
,,earcst-my wife and children
reached the conclusion that the least
| could do was to allow the people Oh
South Carolina to decide for them-
selves. Consequently / offered for re-
election. | thought it was my duty to
do so for these reasons.
An Enviable Position.
South Carolina now occupies very
enyiable position in our public ahairs.
The craftsmanship OF the committee on
agriculture in the house and the cnair-
manship OF the committee on naval
, fairs and the committee on Interstate
commerce in the senate are held Dy
three of its citizens. Long service
hard work and high character alone
con viii such places. Occasionally an
accident breaks into the SENATE Du'
after six years he is always eliminated
In tho house things are somewhat
different. but in the main the same re-
ouirements there rs in the senate op-
tain. In both branches OF congress
mon must win their spurs and De
worthy Of them to continue long to
wear them.
Concerning His Candidacy.
"On March 6 1 made the announce
ment, asking the people of South Car
olina to re-elect me for the fifth time
that falls to the lot oil
few men, and never has fallen 10 the
lot of a South Carolinian in the state S
history. I do not feel worthy OF II
myself, but then circumstances anu
not | compel the situation.
THE senatorship belongs to the peo-
ple 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 want
them to have him.
Recently sinister rumors began to
be industriously circulated. These re-
ports were whispered from ear to ear.
Most Of you have heard them and
know to what l allude. l say to you
I have not made. and / will not make,
any political deal with any man or set
of men. I 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 am physically unfit and