Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1853-01-26

relative positions throughout the entrs spring, sum-
mer and fall-he an avowcd canddafe for the Sen
ate and | for Congress. lie WAS notiregardrd as
candidate for Congress by his pcrsSnal friends in
the coterminous Districts, or by mahy with whom
he was most intimate, even in his own village IL
is true, that his nomination was continued III The
Advertiser, but to the announcemenRw;ls appended
this nomination is made without pl. FlcKENs
knowledge or consent" The cont appearance
Of his name was satisfactorily cxpls to my un-
dersanding by the conversation heNSe'wcen us III
March, and this impression conirmcd'hy reply oi
his near relative the Editor Of the Advertiser, Of
whom asked {" if Col. PIcKESs is not candidate
for the House but is candidate for te Senate, why
do you continue his name in your paper = lhe
reply was oh, let the printer &c, his iee." NOW
two propositions are submitted to anintclllgcnt COM
muni,y, one of which must be true. The first is,
,lat Col. PicKESs did not intend being candidate
for Congress until after his defeat before the Legs
lature for the Senate, and that for nine months,
was the only candidate from Edge6e'd; and Of
course thus acquitted Of fiorwardess or Of Paral
izing the District by division Of is VOTE
The second is, that, Col. PIoxESs was at one and
the same time, candidate for two inconsistent Of
fees 1t strikes me that if the integrity of the vote
of the District is to be preserved " running but one
candidate, it is more reasonable and" magnaninous"
that COL PlcKrNs should withdraw than tla! should,
who would thus waste my time and labor in canvass
ing adjacent Districts for thrcc-fourtlls Of year.
If believed that Col PIcKExs was more accepta-
bic to majority of the people Of Eige'icld, than
myself, would even now retire, and make will.
entire good faith, the following proposition: lie,
polls be opened at each battalion parade ground in
Edgcfeld District on day to be agreed upon by
our respective friends, and let him who receives the
fewcst votes withdraw.
Gentlemen, You have been induced to believe that
my withdrawal now, will secure the position beyond
contingency, two years hence. You are deceived
The suggestions Of your letter had already been
made by COL PIcKESs, in person, (and almost in the
identical anguasc) TO one Of T'bosom friends, I'M
mediatvly after the adjournment of the Legislature
Be not deceived The opposition to me is chiefly
political Itwas my hope that past political differ
cnces would not be regarded in this election. II
that hope have been disappointed 1t would grlcvt
me to differ with some of my friends i'll this Dstric
even upon now imprac!icable political question:
Yet il my opinions relative 10 the separate secession
of State are to be held in judgment against me il
certain quarters, in the name Of common JUSTICE le
the question be openly, fairly and universally made
hold to the doctrines of States Rights and Stat
Sovereignty as cxroundcd by Mr.. JEFFERSON, il
1898, and Mr.. TUnSDuLL in 1882, with US much tc
nacty and conviction as any man. but would lav
been traitor to my understanding to have advocat
ed the secession of this State. fpast issues are nj
TO be revived (as in common sense and good tccln!
they should mott let the friends that have, b. bu
vigilant and am confident Of my election, eve
though Col PlcKENs is in the field.
once withdrew from canvass because believe
my self-respect required it; for the same reason
now decline to Withdraw. owe it to my friends i
each District, and especially in Ncwbcrry VIII" hav
abored in my behalf, with a zeal which | can nere
ce:ss to remember with gratitude. to say that III
(unIess my proposition be aceeptc'!) unconditional
and nuqualifclly candidate. With the k.nde'
personal regard for each and all of you, am re
spcctfully, Your fel!ow-citizen,
P. S. BROOKS.