Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-02-20

most legitimate grounds, upon which 10
place the support of any man for public
office. and especially in the selection Of
the highest fuuctiouary i'll the State. Full
ly conceding therefore, to Col. r., The
honorable character as ii private Senllr
man, which The editor Of the Mercury has
bestowed upon him. ! would YET ask in
the spirit of fairness and kindness. wha'
claims has Col. f. upon the State Rights
party, to be thus aulliorilulively placed in
nomination, as Il candidate for the highest
Office in the gift Of the Stale! What pub
lie acts and services has he pcriol med.
which Justly challenge the confidence aud
support of this party! 1t is true. Col. r.
was for several years respectable Mem
her of The Stale Legislature, but am no;
aware of any public measure, originated
by him, and with which his name is iIen-
titled in that station, which can interpose
any high claims to superior wsdoni,or en-
larsed craftsmanship. 1t is equally true,
that he occupied The honorable station OF
a Representative in Congress. for one or
two terms. but his public course there was
modestau unoblrusive, eminenlly beconl-
ing him as gentleman, but not sufficient
" brilliant to leave a name and reputation
behind him. He discharged his, duties
with fidelity, but certainly with no h'sher
merit. In short, he is a gentleman, IN
every honorable sense Of the word. OF good
education. and courteous manners, (nol
more, however, than the equal OF 'hou-
sands IN the Srate.) But what claims,
,ooin ask, has he upon tne State Rights
nar,v. +, be selected aud put i'll nominal
t;on bv the editor of the Mercury, the once
trusted and influential organ of that party!
here disavow any intention or desire on
INV part, TO dsparage Col. R. respect
him TOO highly to seek his disparasement,
If could accomplish IL. These stale
meu,s, are not made for this ieno'le pur-
pose, hut as furnishing the reasons for the
SUNRISE which | have expressed, in rela-
rion 10 the course of the Mercury, in this
matter. Ifit be alleged, that The orsan'
zaliun of the old parties no longer exists IN
the Srare.-that the lines Of separation
have been oblteralctl. aud both are now
harmoniously united in the patriotic eii"rl
of serving the State, ! am prepared to con-
cede the fact. lfit he urged, that TO carry
out the compromise, which was happily
effected in the Session Of 1851; all the
public Offices should be open and accessl-
BILE TO each party; am not disposed to
gainsav the propusilinn. If it he again
Urged, thai The preseu, state of public opin-
ion, or the true interests ol the state, rem
dercd the elevation of a gentleman iron
the ranhs of tic Union party, 20 the office
of Governor, ne q measure either liberal,
wise, prudent, or maSnanimous, l could
have made the concession without the
manifestation of the slightest opposition.
So far as my feelings and wishes are col'
cerned, I was not only prepared to make
the concession, but should have been eX-
ceednsly gra,if ID, if that eniinently vlr-
,uous citizen and faithful public servant.
Judge David johnson, could have been
selected by common consent, ana elevated
10 this office wi,hou, opposition. His
transfer 10 the guhernatoral chair, would
have relieved him from the heavy la5ors
of his present office; the duries Of which,
iu different stations. he has discharged for
upwards Of twenty years. with honor TO
himself, aud with signal advantage to tho
State. ltwould have been an appropriate
compliment, paid to eminent, private
worth, and public service, rejecting honor
reciprocallv upnr tn. giver and receiver.
But in that case, thought that silent ac-
puiescence was the true course for the
State Rights party. The "nl y one consistent
with II due respect for its dignity and con-
sis,ency. 1t certainly never entered my
Imagination. that this distinguished party,
or one of its leading organs. could have
been the first. nay leader in the nornina-
,ion uf member from rhr Union ranks, as
acaudidate for the Executive Office. This
sudden unfurlng Of the Union fla tri e..
me as proceeding derogalory 10 our hih-
crto high character as party, inconoruous
in all its aspects and relations, and I'M uri
Gus to the claims Of one or more gentle
men, who, in times past rendered al least.
some service to the State, in her day Of
trial. am however. as yet, the advocate
OF nopa ocular candidate. and all desire 10
see is, a fair, open field, with fair star,
and no party jockcying. The editor Of
the Mercury will pardon the apparent ego
,srn Of using the pronouu |, and SO often
referring to our feelings aud opinions. l
have written as | have felt. and for no
other purpose than 10 elici, temperate
explanation from the editor.
EDGEFIELD.
EdgeGeld, Feb. 4, 1910.