The Union daily times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1918-current, 1922-07-31
BLEASE REJOICED
AT COX'S DEFEAT
By Hugh w. Roberts.

By Hugh w. Roberts.
Washington, July 30.-A copy of
the Cole L. Blease letter to Josph W.
Tolbert, Republican boss of South
Carolina, dated Columbia, s. c., May
81, 1921, was received here today.
In the letter Blease stands by Toll
bert in his ambition to secure control
of Republican patronage in South
Carolina, rejoices at the victory of
Warren G. Harding over James M.
Cox, Democrat, and over the down.
all of "idealism."
The copy in full follows:
Yours of May 16, asking for certain
information, received. I will answer
you frankly.
AS to c. c. Campbell Of Columbia,
So 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 go into new party, but they
are not going in as followers of
Campbell, who is Yankee; for you
remember that it was the Northern
renegades and scalawags who took
the niger and used him that gave us
all of our troubles from 1865 to 1876"
Therefore, you will see that his lead
ership will not go far in South Caro-
lima.
AS to j. L.. McLaurin, I presume it
is unnecessary for me to make any
remarks. His record in the senate OF
the United States, the Archibold let
ters, his attempted deal of 1912, his
complete breakdown as a candidate
for governor in this state recently,
and his general political record, are
as well known to the people in Wash
ington as they are to the people of
South Carolina. 1t would be absolute
ly impossible for him to build up any
following in this state Of any consld-
cradle proportions.
If the patronage in this state should
be given to Campbell or McLaurin, or
Campbell and McLaurin, they could
rot build up a corporal's guard, that
would go outside of the Democratic
primaries, where they would be de-
prived of voting for their county Off.
scsrsAsRsuwellS-as thsira United States
senators and congressman and their
state officers, to follow those people
into the Republican party. Conse-
quently, as far as have been able to
learn, very little credence is given to
the Campbell -McLaurip talk; in fact,
it is looked upon as a joke by those
who have any influence and who know
that these men can not break into the
Democratic ranks.
certainly can state that you have
been lifelong Republican; that you
have gone through strenuous times
and that your life has often been at
stake, and that though it all you
have been tried and true; and if, after
all these years of service and devo-
tion to your party the Republicans
would now kick you out, can hardly
think that they would have much of
an opportunity to get any one here to
follow them, because the people here
would realize that no matter how de-
voted the service they might render,
their labors would not be appreciated.
I can hardly see how, after thorough
investigation, it could be possible for
you to be turned down as the leader
of the Republican partay in this state,
and as for the forming of a new party
with Campbell or McLaurin, or both,
such talk is myth, farce and plain
damned foolishness.
You are at liberty to read this let
ter to whom you please, or publish 1t
II you wish, as I presume everybody
knows that speak what I think re-
gardless Of consequences. have writ
ten you freely as you requested me to
do. I am a Democrat; not Wilson
socalled Democrat, but Jeffersonian
Democrat, who rejoiced at Harding's
election and the downfall Of idealism,
which gave US nothing but fresh-made
graves, widows, orphans and billions
Of dollars taxes, under the guise of
liberty. We have less liberty now
than we have ever had and fewer priv
ileges as a result of Wilson and his
henchmen.
If you see my friend, Jim Davis,
secretary Of labor, give him my love,
end tell him that if Cole Blease can do
anything for him, to "holler" and he
will hear and answer.
Very respectfully,
(S;onodN Colo 7, Rleasa