The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1918-04-03
No. Ia
BLEASE OPENED
CAMPAIGN HERE

a majority again, he urged, and then
have the election stolen, as was done
in 1914 and 1916.
Probate Judge j. M. Windham pre-.
sided. Mr.. Blease was introduced By
Hon. j. II. Lesesne, of the ClarendoR
county delegation to the general as
sembly as "a man who is in sympathy
who is opposed to extravaganza,
man who is opposed to high taxation,
who believes in just and fair govern.
ment and an economical expenditure
of the peoples money"
FORMER Governor Blease spoke as
follows upon the war issues:
Mr.. Chairman and My Fellow Cit.
Zens of South Carolina: Borne to our
ears across the broad waters of the
Atlantic is the thunder of artillery in
the most fearful conflict in human his
tory, and in which American boys,
the sons and brothers and husbands
and sweethearts of American women,
are offering and giving their lives as
the supreme sacrifice cheerfully made
in obedience to the command of their
country. During the past few days
shells from across the German lines
have dropped into the city of Paris,
and the German legions, at terrible
sacrifice though it be, have taken an
awful toll of the ranks of the allies
Surely this is no time for chickering's
among ourselves for political play
no time for a 'holier than thou at
titude by the self-righteous which
would tend to drive from the ranks
of the common cause even the hum.
blest of those who would make any
sacrifice, whatever it might be, to de-,
fend their country, assert it's rights as
nation, and perpetuate our American
institutions. Accusing those who have
influence and power, who have de-
voted and loyal followers and sup
porters ready to act with them and
under their advice, of disloyalty and
creating political divisions either Of
parties or factions, is not helping to
bring abort such conditions as we all
should wish, neither will the wrapping
of the American flag around one and
claiming for him all of the loyalty or
making him the "holier than thou"
bring about thoroughly united peo>
pie, determined to sacrifice whatever
it is necessary to sacrifice for victory
We want our differences Gs to home
issues, we want our debates as to the
best plan at home, we want criticisms
! Of those in power as to taxation, edu.
cation and the like, in order that the
| very best and most economical may
be had, but when it comes to the
great war we want no division. nc
discussion, no prejudice, no "holier
than thou" people, but one solid,
united, God-loving and God~fearins
people, fighting for right and the safe
guarding of the welfare of our com
mon country.
J | appreciate, my friends, the very
high compliment which you paid me in
inviting me to come here on this oc.
casion to speak to you. There have
been many rumorS afloat and many
newspaper articles i'm reference to my
position upon the subject to which
you requested me to address myself
At the request of my friends, and OF
my own will, | am a candidate to rep,
resent the great state of South Caro-
lima in the senate of the United
States. | do not wish, nor would ]
have you or any other citizens Of my
state for one moment to believe that
l desire to withdraw any suggestions
of any political opinions that l have
heretofore made about the entry of
the United States into the present
World-wldc war, nor am | now nor at
any time going to make any rXrlana-
tion thereof, because | knnw that
what | have said was not only strictly
in conformity with the laws IF the
nation, and within the rights which
are guaranteed to every free born
American citizen to express his opin.
ion upon all matters of government in
his state or his nation, but that not
one syllable of any uttcrancc which
have made has brcathed aupht but
loyalty to my country and the country
of my fathers before me, who have
in every war in which this nation has
ever engaged made every sacrifice for
the flag within their power, and say
positively that my public utterances
have been with the appreciation of my
friends. However, | have been most
llSH5misreprcsented in the newspa.
pcrs and personally by those whom
circulated their malicious falsehoods
for the purpose of prejudicing the
good people of this state against me
/ both personally and politically. But
, | am proud to say that they have had
no effect upon the honest, fair think.
ing people of South Carolina. This is
assured by the fact that recently q
convention composed of representa-.
{ tivcs of all of the counties of this
state, men Of high character and pur.
pose and undisputcd loyalty and devo.
ton, passed a resolution endorsing my
candidacy for this high and respon.
sible position which | seek at your
hands; the letters which | have re-
ceivcd from all over the state and the
personal assurances Of support which
have been given me, as well as the
many invitations such as yours which
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