Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1921-06-28
BLEAsE TAKES A HAND.
Former Governor Writes T Gilbert About
South Carolina Politics.

Former Governor Writes Gilbert About
South Carolina Politics.
The following is taken from the
Charleston American:
Ex-Governor Cole Z. ,Blease takes a
hand in the Republican struggle in
South Carolina for the loaves and
fishes. In letter to Hon. ], w. Toll
bert he expresses his amazement al
Mr. McLaurin's boldness in making
the Republican party believe that he
can lead any one in. the Palmetto state.
a loc: | reader has furnished US with
copy OF ex-Gov. Blease's letter to
Mr.. Tolbert AS it is not without news
value we beg to publish 1t in full:
Columbia, S. c., May 21st,: 1921.
Hon. J, w. Tolbert, st. James Hotel,
Washington. D. C.
Dear Sir: Yours of May 10th, asking
for certain information received. will
answer yous frankly.
AS to C. c. Campbell of Columbia, s.
c., the common remark 1 hear around
here, and have heard parties make
from other parts Of the state is: Some
people in South Carolina may want to
60 into new party, but they are not
going in as followers Of Campbell, who
is Yankee; for you remember that 1t
was the northern renegades and scala
wags who took the niger and used
him that gave US all Of our troubles
from 1865 to 1876" Therefore, you will
see that his leadership will not go far
in South Carolina
AS to j. L., McLaurini presume it
is unnecessary for me to, make any re-
marks. His record in thu senate of the
United States, the Archbold letters, his
attempted deal Of 1872. his complete
breakdown as a candidats for Govern
or in this state recently, and his gen.
eral political record are as we'll known
to the people in Washington as they
are to the people Of South Carolina.
1t would be absolutely impossible for
him to build up any following in this
state of any considerable proportions.
If the patronage Of this state should
he given to Campbell or McLaurin
they could not build up a corporars
guard, that would go outside of the
Democratic Primaries, where they
would be deprived Of voting for their
county officers as well as their United.
rI
their state officers, to follow those
people into the Republican party. Con-
sequently, as far as have been able
to learn, very little credence is given
to the Campbell McLaurin talk; in
fact it is looked upon as joke by
those who have any influence Ind who
know that these men cannot break in
to the Democratic ranks.
I certainly can state that you have
been a lifelong Republican: that you
have gone through strenuous times
and that your life has often been at
stake, and that through it all you have
been tried and true; and if, after al!
these years Of service and devotion to
your party, the Republicans would now
kick you out. I can hardly think that
they would have much Of an oppor-
tunity to get anyone here to follow
them, because the people here would
realize that no matter how devoted the
service they might render, their labors
would not he appreciated. can hard
" see how, after a thorough investi-
CATION, it could be possible for you to
be turned down as the leader of the
Republican party in this state. and
as for the forming of new party with
Campbell or McLaurin or both, such
talk is myth, a farce and PLAIN
damned fooishness.
You are at liberty to read this letter
to whom you please, Or publish II II
YOU wish as presume everybody knows
that I speak what I think regardless
OF consequences. have written you
freely as you requested me to 90. l
am IL Democrat: not Wilson Social
ell Democrat but 4 Jeffersonian DEM
ocrat, who rcjoiced at Harding's cleo
ton and the downfall Of 1dealism,
which gave us nothing but fresh made
graves, widows, orphans and billions
of dollars taxes, under the guse OF
liberty. We have less liberty now than
we have ever had and fewer privileges
las a result of Wilson and his hench-
men.
If you see my friend, Jim Davis
secretary of labor. give him my love-
and tell him that if Cole Blease can DO
,,,tbinr for him. to "Nuller' and he
will hear an answer.
Very respectfully,
COLE L. BLEASE.
..