The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1920-04-21

the issue. Those who oppose the
bond issue-and it is believed that
comparatively few voters are opposed
should be willing to hear what the
advocates Of the issue have to offer
the opposition owe il to themselves
and to their fellow citizens to hear
both sides Of this most important pro-
position presented. and If the opposl-
ton has anything better to offer then
it is their honest and patriotic duty
TO present their plans. open and above
board. in a public meeting for the
benefit Of their fellow-citiZenS. be-
cause neither those who favor or
those who oppose the bond issue have
ANYTHING to hide or to be ashamed
Of, every man being clearly entitled
to form ard express his opinion on
the matter under consideration.
But. it is generally conceded among
all fair-minded men that it is more
demrocratic and many think much
more manly and business-like for
those who oppose any such important
and far-reaching movement as tie
$500, 10000 bond issue, to come out
ia the open and fight for their cause.
and to be willing TO stand up IN a
meeting. among their fellow citizens
and show the votres wherein these
who favor a proposition are wrong.
If a mans cause IS just or If he
thinks it just, he ought 20 be manly
enough and sufficiently pubiic-spirited
to enlighten his fellowvoters to their
faces in any public assembly. and not
stink around. trying to prejudice vot-
ers against the opinions of those who
favor the bond issue. Many voter
has been elightened and converted to
proposition by going to a mass meet
ing and hearing an open, falr and
square, detailed and comprehensive
explanation of the subject. instead OF
listening to some man who is opposed
TO the proposition just because the op-
position would not hear both sides OF
the issue. The $1,000. 100000 bond is
sue is an issue in which every man
should think and act for himself, al
ter full investigation and after hearing
what both sides have to offer. No man
who feels that his way Of thinking is
the only way is competent to advise
any other man how TO vote. Because
the Supporters of the bond issue be-
lieve this to be true they have adopted
the open and above board, democratic.
fair and manly method of calling
mass meetings and inviting their oD-
ponents to meet them on the huSunSS.
hear what th" advocates have to Of
fer and to present what the oDposl-
ton has 20 put forward in rcfutaton.
When yOu meet q man fighting Il pub
lie issue in the dark. but who is not
willing 10 face Il crowd of his fellow
citizens to en;iehten them-you us
ually strike a ma, who is incompe
tent. or if competent to dictate to his
fellow-mcn how to vote. is lacking in
nerve to go a1 il in the way that Will
carry conviction To the greatest num-
Der in the shortest possible time.
Therefore let every voter. for and
gainst the bond issue attend the
mass meetings called by the advocates
of hard-surfaced highways-for those
the bond issue Nothing is to be lost
by attending these meetings even If
YOU are opposed to the bond issue -
except. however. that perhaps some
few who are trying TO induce others
10 vote against the bond issue d" not
favor an open and ahovn-board dis
cussion. or do not favor You. If you
arc undecided and want TO approach
tho matter with an open mind attend
ing meeting because You might near
something better than the bond issue
fighter has 10 offer. and YOU mi%ht
also hear something from some speak
cre; who have as much brain. and VINO
are as great or possibly in some m
stances more successful business men
th;tn tho nlan who is seeking to make