Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-27


country not equally intense and pure, while they
were yet, under unfavorable auspices, striving with
fortune, rs is now since they have gained victory
over tha, tickle goddess, established securely theirpo-
sition in lire and mainly accomplished one ot tho
chief ends of our existence7 1t is insulting 10 such
men, who constitute the very elite" and "the
bone and sinew" Of American society, and the ruling
class Of the country, to cast upon them the mputa-
ton contained in interrogntorics Of the kind.
| have been betrayed, Fellow-C Citizens, into much
longer letter than intended to write, and harc
not yet finished what purposed to say.
l was most unworthly charged, in the last cam
vass, with possessing too small an interest the
State to qualify me, either gully morally, for the
post1 was seeking and, inasmuch as the insinus~
ton was reflection upon my personal honor. II has
made lasting impression on my mind, and engen-
dered feelings that the patience Of Job could not
we'll suppress. II, though, was stricken with
power ty as even that most afflicted servant o: God,
who was given to the temptation OF the Devif
for the trial of his faith, still feel- that shouso
be bound to my native State, BY ties. before which
all cords Of silver and gold would snap asunder like
cob webs on the lions manc like threads Of fax
before the fame.
South Carolina was the birthplace Of my father
and mother and in its bosom their sacred dust will
slumber well till the last summons shall awake up
all to judgment. My grand father and my great
grand father lived here and died here, and sleep in
this soil and all, all that loved and that was dear
10 me on earth rest quietly in their Carolina graves.
Why, the grave Of my mother, and the earth that
lies lightly on the bosom Of my little sistcr-the dear
innocent that rests by her sde-to protect that from
,hefoot-prints of the tyrant and invader. would
offer up my body at the signal Of moment, and
deem it glory enough to baptze their hallowed tomb,
with the richest currents of my heart.
II is not in the bosom Of the red man alone, that
gows the feeling which consccrates the last resting
place OF his Father and the Fathers Of his tribe,
and that makes it holy ground, where the spirits
keep their nightly vigs, over the blessed remains
of those who were the strong, the terrible, the
valued and the loved Of their race. Affection, IN
all ages has fingered around the tombs OF the de-
parted and the highest memorials OF the skill and
enlightenment of past generations are evneed IN
their works of piety and devotion to the dead.
/ had wished to say few words more, in order
tina, the people might know my sentiments and feel
ngs on other bects more interesting to themselves
1t seems to me, that what is called electoneering,
has at times, been carried to an excess in Edeeheld
District, which is not only shameful and oppressive
to the Candidates but which is actually wrong and
sinful as human conduct 1t will come TO pass,
that man of business or Of any useful employment
will be entirely excluded from Office in our District,
or he will be deferred by the great loss Of time ir-
cured from entering into The lists of applicants for
such distinction. 1t is too much to require, that
man OF any steady occupation shall ride all over the
District every time he becomes Candidate. There
is no man more eager to be elected than myself, ana
am sure that there is man who better loves the
good opinion of the people. But it is absolutely
impossible for me to waste as much time in CANVASS
ing the District az some men are willing or con-
strained to do. wish to earn an honest and inde-
pendent living, and in order to do that, am COM
peled to pay strict attention to my profession year
l.--.. .man- and -wnmnn in.the District
know me- and Twill warrant that they have as init
mate acquaintance with my character, as if | visited
forty times at their own houses, us a crngng pohti-
cal aspirant. Indeed, what little history or reputa-
ton have is known BY heart all over Edgefeld
, and beyond it; and | have no doubt tbat2 great
deal is known about me that Md, occus1red in
the tide OF time. But, what if travelled day and
night to see the people The Candidate, matter
Of course always puts on his best habit, endeayors
to conceal every capital defect, and prepares and
keeps both mind and body in the most perfect trim
for the occasion. He is eternaly on his guard lest
some fault should be detected by the scrutinizing
; glance Of the public. He never meets man, but
he feels the deepest solciude for his dear wife and
pretty sweet little children. He has q thousand
questions to ask him as to his present welfare and
future prospects, which he has learned BY rote, and
taught his tongue mechanically to speak In WORD,
j Candidate generally loves everybody-he is every-
thing to every man-he agrees with the absurd
opinions Of all men-he has no independent view Of
and, in many instances he studies 10 make him
self the most consummate Ta.cyrand Of his whole
section or District, as he is convinced from expert
cnce, that he will only thereby become the moro
popular, and the more highly appreciated by his
Fellow. Citizens. He is aware that they have no
means of-prying into the profound depths. OF his
mysterious and we'll guarded nature. How can the
people, with all their honesty of purpose, probe such
a creature and ascertain his genuine character and
disposition? 1t is utterly impossible, unless every
man were complete phrenoogist, and better
physiognomis, than Lsvater himself, and unless no
could fathom the very bottom Of the human soul,
when that soul ITSELF being Of the smallest perceiva-
BILE dimensions, is ved from sight by an extra coat
of brass, and doubly shielded by an impenetrable
breast-plate of art and fraud, and dark diplomacy.
OF course, believe myself to be good and vriu-
| ovs man, and except myself and all the other
Candidates of this District, from the general char
acter have here drawn for the sake of argument
and illustration.
There is no mistake, that very inferior and very
dishonest men, otentimes possess the knack Of per-
suading the people that they are infinitely better
than could ever represent myself to be, or than
Jesus Christ, Saviour required that man should
be. So, that confess the difficulty experience
in discovering any real good, which can accrue to
me, from regular and rigid system Of electioneer-
ing. If every other Candidate can make as good an
impression as can, and can recommend himself to
be just as wse just loving, and just truthful
as am, or can pretend to be, it would be vain for
me to contest the palm, and contend for superiority
with him un1eas there sornethino in person.