The times-news. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1927-current, 1934-09-14
HUMBLE BIRTH NO BAR IN
SOUTH CAROLINA

\ subject OF much conversation ana
newspaper discussion during the past few
DAYS has been the result OF the second prl-
mary in South Carolina 10 nominate
Democratic candidate for Governor. The
opinion has been frequently expressed that
the conservatives of South Carolina had
little choice between Candidates Johnston
and Blease; and that probably is true OF
many citizens OF that class: but the cleo
ton returns indicate that some thousands
Of conservatives voted for Johnson IN the
second contest The figures from several
low country" counties prove this cOncIu-
sively and JohnSonS vote in several Pied
mont counties offers additional proof. An
observer familiar with the Palmetto State
can point out the counties in which con-
sentative votes were cast for Johnston
against Blease.
Before the second primary it was said
by some South Carolina observers that the
difference between the candidates was
that OF an old and young radical, BieaSe
being the former and Johnston the latter.
Impartial observers outside OF South Caro-
lima were never able 70 discover the evil
dence of rabid radicaESm in Johnston'S
public utteranceS. He was charged by
some with showing more OF the character
istics of an office-seehing politician than
the ability of a statesman. The fact Is that
Johnston evidenced about as much firm
ness. sincerity and political courage as the
average candidate for office. in South Car
DINA or elsewhere.
The record so far, however, leads to the
conclusion that Johnston will make rea-
sOnably conservative and acceptable Gov
ernOr 10 all classes of fair-minded South
CarolinianS, if ne proves himself man Of
sufficient ability TO rise above the meii-
OGRE in craftsmanship. The TiuleS-News
makes the prediction that Governor John
ston will not go down in the hiStory Of the
Palmetto State as chief executive Of the
Blease or Huey Long type.
One of the most interesting facts about
the elevation Of Johnston 20 the office Of
chief executive OF the proud and ariSto-l
- cratic State Of South Carolina. Of course,
IS the fact that ne comes up from the ranks
Of the common people. being a son OF A
small farmer and former cotton mill Op-
eE2tive- 1t proves that even IN South Caro-.
lima, under the American social and poliEi-
cal order, sGch haRdIcaps are not an insur-
uOgntabIe barrier TO a man Of capacity,
energy, courage and the VIII 70 rise in life.
DIN Johnston has fully demonstrated IN
ais comparatively few years that ne was
animated hT an admirable ambition to.
make something Of his Efe- He responded
70 the call Of hLz country in the World war
and served VITA distinction IN France: and
l'at1''Taed home 20 face Heterogeneous,
z1'uei]irg work and hard knocks in the ef-
fort 60 secure a college education. In ms
rt'tesrd n THIS particular and in others, and
as citizen sErce the war, an impartial o.
server aa3s much 20 commend in the
go1Gng CaEOtfnian-
The Trrres-News believes ne will make
an earnest, honest and unprecedented effort
70 serve his State efficiently and success
fully in the high office of Governor.
South Carolina is pointed to as the
Southern State in which class lines arc
most distinctly marked and class feeling
and prejudice plays large part notably
in politics; but the career OF DIN John
ston and other citizens IN pubic HE
proves eonclusiyeiy that these differences
ana DISTINCTIONS do not always coHtf'i' a