The Watchman And Southron

Believes He Could Be of Service to State in Establishment of Warehouse System, Refunding State Debt and Preventing Split in White People.

Columbia, Nov. 18.—Senator John L. McLaurin in making his reply to Senator Tillman's suggestion that he take the stump and help fight Bleaseism, stated that before either Governor Blease or Senator Tillman had made statements on his withdrawal from politics he had written letters to friends telling them what he was willing to do and stating that his friends could give out the letter for publication if they wished.

A letter received this morning at the News and Courier Bureau from B. F. McLendon, in Hartsville, enclosed a copy of a letter written Mr. McLendon by Senator McLaurin, and it is supposed to be the one he was talking about. "I state to you the deliberate opinion that factionalism cannot be safely pushed to greater extent," says the senator in this letter.

The senator in giving his reasons for withdrawing from politics said that he was willing to serve the people and that he could be of some service to the State in connection with a State warehouse system. He says that he is willing to respond to help on a moral awakening in the political world and has received many letters along this line.

His letter in full follows:

"My Dear Baxter:

Both of your letters received. I briefly acknowledge No 1 and will now reply more at length to No. 2.

"I know that you were surprised at the statement that I made about retiring from politics, but you remember that I had not said that I would be a candidate for office, only that I was willing to respond to a call from the people.

"I believed that I could be of some service to this State in connection with a State warehouse system, refunding the State debt and preventing a threatened split in our white people.

"These are the motives that impelled me to make so many speeches and to attend a conference, not for the purpose of selecting a governor, but to control the next Democratic State convention and prevent the constitutional restrictions designed to subjugate the negro in the general election, being used in the primary to disfranchise white men and place them on the same political basis as the negro.

"You life work calls you into close contact with our factory and agricultural population. It is a grand work and I am sure you will agree with me that all classes of society need a tighter conception of the rights and duties of citizenship. Your influence and example sways the course and influences the minds of thousands of people in this State.

"I state to you the deliberate opinion that factionalism cannot be safely pushed to greater extent.

"Last year we came near a split and if the storm breaks loose again no man can control it. Is it not wise to stop a moment and see what it is all about? Is not returning good for evil a good rule in politics? I think so. The majesty and power of it is great everywhere.

"A moral awakening in the political world is sorely needed. You cannot regulate primaries and legislate away bribery, too. That must come through arousing the minds and consciences of men.

"My dear Baxter, you teach men that they are brothers in the church. I am trying to teach them that they are brothers in the State. And I am just as willing to serve the people in my way as you are in yours. You are right in saying that no good citizen can refuse to serve the State in any capacity. I only refuse to play the role of office-seeker. I did not know nor am I prepared to yet believe that there is such a demand for my services as you seem to think. If I did I would not hesitate one moment as to my course. I have received many letters like yours, but one can easily be mistaken about these things.

As ever your friend,

"John L. McLaurin.

"Bennettsville, S. C."