The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1920-07-14
OUTLOOK BRIGHT
FOR DEMOCRATS
Senator Smith Optimistic Over Chanc-
es for Success. Goes to Abbeyille.

the strenuous duties of Democratic
national convention, to which he was
a delegate at large from South Caro-
lima, and also travel worn from his
trip across. the continent, ellison ID.
Smith, senior senator, arrived in CO.
iumbia yesterday, too late to attend
the campaign meeting at Anderson.
tie VIII not wait to take rest, how
ever, but will join the senatorial party
at Abbeville today. This will be his
first meeting since the campaign start
ed, as he was on his way to San Fran
cisco when the tour about the state
began. lie attended meeting of the
state ginners here yesterday and
made brief speech
The senator is optimistic over the
outlook for success Of the Democratic
party at the polls this fall. He re-
turns from the convention, firmly be-
lieving that 1t was an inspiration to
the party and "a forecast of victory
in November"
Senator Smith was on the commit
tee on resolutions and platform and
had the honor to write the plank
which deals with equality of rates,
both import and export. for the ports
OF the country.
In statement issued yesterday,
Senator Smith says Of the convention:
| am very optimistic over the out
look for the success Of the Democratic
party. was chosen by my delegation
to represent the state on the commit
tee on resolutions and platform. The
spirit Of the membership OF this COM
mittee was a forecast Of the spirit
that characterized the entire conven-
ton; pride in the accomplishment
Of the party since 1t had been in pow
er and a clear-cut statement without
evasion Of the things that 1t stood for.
The platform has been published and
It's planks are known. Aside from
there being written into it by the col
laboration Of the committee, of those
things that affect the producers OF the
country I had the honor OF writing
and having adopted that plank whic
reads as follows: "The urgent de-
mands Of the war for adequate trans
portation OF war material as well as
for domestic needs revealed the fact
that our port facilities and rate ad-
justments were such as to seriously
effect the whole country in times Of
peace as well as war. We pledge our
party to stand for equality Of rates
both import and export for the ports
of the country to the end that there
may be adequate and fair facilities
and rates for the mobilization OF the
products Of the country offered for
shipment"
This Is matter Of prime import
ance to the entire South. The discrim-
ination in rates has been one Of the
most serious handicaps to the proper
handling Of Southern products and to
the development Of Southern rcsourc-
es. The neglect Of Southern and Gulf
ports IS hardly less than crime
against the people Of the United
States. The general welfare OF the
United States is dependent upon the
development of all her resources re-
gardless Of sections. And I was de-
lighted to see that the platform of
the Democratic party stood suuarcly
for this principle. | do not believe
that there ever was gathered together
at q national convention body of
men moved by so single Il purpose, and
that was, that Democracy should win
There was, to my great qualifications
recognition from every state in the
union Of the vital Importance of fos-
tcring in every right way the great
cause OF agriculture. The nation and
the states composing it were brought
face to face, by the terrible issues Of
this worlds war, with the Importance
OF the products Of the farm. And with
the spirit that attcsted this rccogni-
tion they devoted gladly so much
space in the platform to this cause.
ii is needless for me to say that this
was peculiarly gratifying to me who
has for so long time striven to
bring this about.
In spite of what the Republican pa
pers intimatcd and said about the
force or forces that would control the
selection OF our candidate, there was