The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-08-24

first gun in the political campaign OF
1918 fired at Pomaria July p, 1917 :
Did rot Blease and his organ so de-
clare -? Is not the honor Of our gal
liant bows at stake? Have not BleaSe
and Richards repeatedly raised the
issue and waged a fight? Shall we
lie supinely on our backs while the
enemy binds US hand and foot? Sure
ly Cooper does not seek the reward OF
victory while others battle for right.
''The time has come, therefore,
when Cooper must speak out His
voice must ring with unmlstakable
meaning. 1t must thunder from the
alcuntains to the sea. He must speak
loud and clear and strong against the
disloyal uterances of Blease at Fill
cert and Pomaria. For Al days have
listened in vain to hear his voice. The
time is brief. But three more days
are left. He must now speak or for
ever herafter hold his peace
Mr. Cooper, the last gubernatoria}
speaker, said, in reply to Mr.. Bethea
that this was the first time IN South
Carolina that his position on Blease-
ism had been brought into question
On two occasions he had been put
to the test, and had not hesisttaed
70 show his opposition to Ex-Governor
3lease, and Mr. Bethea knew 1t. III
s,ell you what's the matter" he stated:
Mr.. Bethea is trying to push me
Off the platform and attempting tc
make me swallow his DOSE Mr..
Copoer said that, never in his life, had
he tried to gain votes by stirring up
the factional issue and to gain Office
by vilifying his opponents or any
other man, and he would not star:
now, even for the governors office.
rbe Laurens candidate said that he
had repeatedly stated from many
stumps'' of the State that, if he had
oeen in congress, he would have voted
or the war resolution. and should no
one else have introduced it he would
nave done so himself. He asked the
people if they thought, holding the
sentiments that he did, could he in
dorse the assertion that the blood OF
goung American manhood, shed III
his war, could be on the hands OF
President Wilson and the members OF
congress in favor Of the war;.
Mr.. Cooper made his usual speech
IN taxation, education and his loan
system for State colleges and conclud-
ed by urging the people to vote fo1
their country and not their friends
md to give political preferment only
those whose election will not throw
suspicion on South Cardinals partl-
cipation in the war and its adherence
20 President Wilson.
T. j. McLouchlin. candidate for
abroad commissioner, said that one
Of his opponents, D. L. Smith, could
not now be considered in the race.
He alleged that Mr.. Smith had stated
hat, if McLauchlin could get the m
lorsement of 25 reputable citizens OF
st. Matthews, McLauchlin's home
town, Smith would withdraw from
the race He shovel / paper which
he said contained the written en-
lorsement of nearly all the citizens OF
st. Matthews, more than 25 by
great DEAL $50, if you stick to
your word,' he continued, your res
ignation is already in and will pay
no more attention 70 YOU" Mr.. Smith
N his reply said that he made the
statement in confidence to party o.
gentlemen, and he was, surprised
.hat it had been repeated. He said
ne would have more to say on the
matter latter