Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-02-02
FOR THE ADVERTISER.
CAPT. PRESTON S. BROOKS.

lege Of an humble voter, to make few remarks
upon the very peculiar correspondence, published IN
the last Adrertser, at the request OF Capt BROOKS
Public men are public property in this country, and
every citizen has the right, not cnly to critc;se and
examine the principles, qualifications and conduct
of his Representative, but he has also tho right "f
discussing the relative merits demcrts of Candl-
dates, as we'll as the means they employ to secure
their own election, or dcea, that OF their opponents
Indeed, both the private and public character OF
Representative or Candidate belong to the people,
and as one of that body, / presume to comment
upon the singular correspondence referred TO above
If Capt Bnoo1s had thought well upon what he
was doing, or il he had conferred with his most ju-
dicous friends he would, am sure, have hesitated
long, very long, before giving publicity to that cor
respondence BY SO doing he has not only griev-
ously injured himself, but greatly benefited the
man, whom he has wantony sought to wrong, and
whose election it is his darling purpose now to de-
feat But he speeds his arrows at game too high
for feeble hand rendered more weak and nervous
by conscious inability, and the SHAFT which he ment
to carry political death to Col. PicKESs, will re-
bound an harmless from the bright integrity Of that
gentleman, os did the fail jayelin hurled by Pram
against the impenetrable shield of Pyrrhus. Capt.
BRooks, instead of erecting piory for Col. Pick
EMS as he intended, has in reality built one for
himself.
It may well be left TO the criticism Of public opin
ion, to say whether or not Capt. BRooKs has been
guilty of gross violation Of good manners, in pub
fishing correspondence, meant to be solely private.
The same august tribunal will have to decide wheth-
or he has not violated another wholesome regulation
of society in retailing to the world private, casual or
unguardcd conversations, alleged to have been held
with Col. PrcKENs and his near relative the Editor
Of the Edgcfcld Adrertiser. But unfortunately
for Capt. BRooxs, this alleged conversation with COL
PicKEss may never have occurred, simply brcause
it is an ilnPossibility. He speaks positively that
during tcrm-time of the Court, in March 1882"
himself and Col PIcKnss were nominated in the
same paper for Congrssa That on the day after
the paper pas issued }" he approached Col. PIckESs
and expressed his regret that their names should
appear simultaneously and in seeming conflict for
the same position" To which he says, Col. P.
replied that " he dill not wish to run-lhat he had
refused to run-.that he had no idea Of running
that his friends ,reTe urging his claims TO q Seat
in the United Sfatrs Senate" To ,ehat Seat in
tho Senate could Col. PIcKEss have referred in
! this conversation? There was then no vacancy in
that body from South Carolina, and none expected.
Mr.. RnErr never resigned until after the Convcn-
ton refused to sccede, and that was the cause OF
his resignation, which bears date 3Oth April, nearly
t,ro months after this conversation is alleged to
have taken place. 1t is almost common law in
South Carolina for a United States Senator ts be
reelected often he may desire, and it is pre-
posterous to say that Col. PicELss thought Of
opposing Mr.. RnkTT, who was not only the ineum-
bent, but was also brother SeccsSionist. Col.
PlcxExs' name was never mentioned, either pub
l;cy privately, in connection with any candidacy
for the Senate until after Mr.. RnETr resigned, and
defy any man to prove the contrary. Capt. BROOKS
may have desired that Col. PIcKENs should oppose
Mr.. RrErT, bu; no one else thought Of it scr-
ously. So much for the covert charge against Col.
PlcKESs that he at first advised Mr.. BRooKs to
maintain the field from which he now wishes to
drive him. Whether this mis-stateInent, to use a
cuphemiam, was deliberately made by Capt BRooxs,
il remains for an ini,lljszz5. 5.-f-li-i!=>5
:s-e advantage generally fails, simply because he
! omts some prccautiou which should have been
taken. Capt. Brooxs omitted to examine dates,
and hence the anachronism which mars the beauty
Of his story
lie has by his communication not only wrongel
Col. PIcKENs, but alsothe gentlemen to whom his
letter is addressed, IS well as the whole people of
the 4th Congressional District. Upon what ground
docs ho assume TO hold the following insulting lam
guagc of the people whom he seeks to represent.
The opposition to me is chiefly political II was
my hope that past political differences would not be-
regarded in this election. In that hope have been
disappointed" &C., Sc. Have any public meetings
been held or letters written, or runors spread, to
preach Secession crusade against Capt BRooxsl
No, he cannot locate, or put his hand on one-ho
had no cause or excuse for pennng the above quo
taton, except to make w appeal to the prrjudiccs
Of ultra Co-operationiss. lie may dscaim any such
intention, bu! he will find it difficult to give any
other explanation Of his words Ten of ~ respc eta
bic men as there are in Edgcicll District thought
proper tt address him a note, requesting him to
withdraw in Yor Of Col. PIcKENs All of these
gentlemen Were his private friends and eight of them
his political synlpnthiscrs in the late memorable
struggle. Yet Capt. BRooKs cries persecution. pcr
secu,ion, himself both the voice and echo of it. for
no ono rlsc ever uttered it, or heard it. till he spoke
1t. Does 1t signify persecution because eight CO.
opcra,ionsts refuse to vote for Captain Brooks and
prefer to support Col. PcxEss who though he was
Seccssionst a they believe, Statesman Of pro-
found ability, ripe experience and national reputation,
No Mr. Editor, this is not the persecution which he
really feels in his heart lie knows that free nce.
pie are always divided upon questions of both priu.
ciple and policy. Yea venture to say, that he re-
members with delight the fact that this Concrc>-
'ional District was lately convulsel with excitement,
about separate State action. lie also remembers
With still moro exquisite pleasure, that there are
four candidates in the field to represent us in Con-
,ress-thrce Scccss:onists and only one Co-opera-
ionist, who is fortunately he thinks himself But
his pleasure has some alloy as every sweet mus,
lave its pan Capt. Brooks i, well advised from
History and from Mr.. CALHous's incs,imab!c Book
~ Government, that the peculiar structurc Of our
State Constitution prryents the continued existence
# parties in South Carolina after the excitement is
vcr which gives them BIRTH II is the knowlc3ce