Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1918-03-13
An Open Letter to the People
From Senator Tillman An
nounciRg His Candidacy.

nouncing His Candidacy.
i hereby announce my candidacy
for the United States Senate to sue
cecd myself.
Gust before the primary in 1911
announced that would not again
be a candidate, stating 4 shall not
try to succeed myself At that
time, while there was war in Europe,
the United States had not entered
the conflict and no one-certalnly
not President Wilson-eXpected US
to enter it. Most assuredly, the ma
ton did not wish to mix in this
great world conflict. For while
Germany pretended to respect our
neutrality. She made fair promises
about not sinking our ships, but
all the while she was bending all of
her energies to build fleet of sub
marines. When she was ready she
mapped off great areas of the seas
which from the beginning of the
world had been free to all peoples
and notified the nations that she
would, without warning, sink any
ship that dared to enter these areas.
In pursuance of this threat she
proceeded to sink our ships, causing
the death of hundreds of innocent
men, women and children-citizens
of the United States. In self re-
spect we are forced to enter the
war: and we are in that war to the
finish unless we are to belle all our
traditions, and lose all of the rights,
liberties and inherited privileges be-
queathed to US by our forefathers.
War Changes All.
Everything has been changed by
our entry into the war. The life of
the individual is no longer his own.
1t belongs to the nation; and every
man ought to be guided by that
consideration alone-a sense OF
duty to his country. How can l
best serve my country?' is the only
question patriots are asking them
selves. Considering my own case'
the conclusion + have reached is that
I can best serve my country by con-
tinuing in the senate. Having de-
termined that it is my duty, l will
not be deferred from asking for re-
election because of a statement l
made in 1914 under entirely differ
ent circumstances.
''In reaching this conclusion
nave naturally been influenced IN
great measure by the hundreds of
letters from patriotic citizens in ev-
cry section of the state, who have
urged upon me the view that having
given to me every office for which l
have aspired, it would be base in
gratitude on my part if l should re-
tire in this crisis when they believe
it to be my duty to ask for re-elec-
ton.
His Work in the Senate.
81 know that twenty-three years
of service here-the best of which
was capable-have given me po-
sition which no new man, however
brilliant he may be, could hope to
attain. Since the Democrats took
charge of the government, l have
been chairman of the committee on
naval affairs. My best efforts have
been given to the creation of a great
navy; and for the navy's readiness
to effectively cooperate with the
Allies and the success it has met in
curbing the U-boat menace, can
Justly claim much credit. 1 know
that my intimate knowledge of naval
affairs, resulting from my long ser
vice, enables me now to be of real
service to my government. If / re-
tire the chairmanship of the commit
tee on naval affairs is lost to the
State.
every day scores of letters
come to me from soldiers and sailors
and from their relatives asking me
for service and advice. I know that
my intimate acquaintance with de-
partmental officials makes it posi-
BILE for me to be of service to them.
officials have given me their respect
and friendship. My principle has
always been to ask for South Carroll
ma only what she was entitled to.
Having asked for something, 1 have
always fought until I got it-if it
were possible to get it at all.