Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1854-07-27
FOR TIE ADVERTISER.
TO THE PEOPLE OF EDGEFIELD.

| lNe pcrlnu vi Tie ciu'tss, n"sc JuuESu P'of>N
to publish the reasons which have determined my
conduct, together with such other remarks as the
occasion may justly call forth.
To begin, without preface, | really have desire
to serve my country, as egislator, with the hope
of possibly benrittng both myself and country; and
have felt, own. an honorable ambition for public
employment and its consequent fame and emolu-
ments, from my childhood. Having, then, even
looked forward to position of the kind, from
YOUTH have natural confidence in my ability TO
make myself useful in the Legislature. Otherwise,
would not dare to ask for the sufragcs Of the peo-
pie of so intelligent q District When n man fixes
positively in his mind standard Of excellence Or
when he determines upon the accomplishment of
any object, or upon the attainment OF any audable
hope of precrmen oil his faculties and al the pow
ers Of his mind will set in that direction, and be-
coming shaped and trained to the discharge Of their
appropriate functions, labor will become to him, a
pleasure and common toll, pleasant occupation,
while they are aimed to reach the darling prize OF
his soul Indeed, he will make progress in his ia
vorite pursuit, even unconsciously to himself, and
without effort, although he may boast an inferior
understanding, and be quite unequal 10 the dignity
he purposes to enj"y.
) | was persuaded, you may know, that my poor
excrtions, whilst was member of the House, de-
served even more than defeat in my next eli ctlon
and that they gave good earnest Cf willingness to
d, ms duty, if no more A few disinterestcd stran-
gers, were hattering enough 10 bespeak for me, d
career Of usefulness. not only to my District but TO
the State at large and they (snsuarly, indeed, some
would suppose) considered, that Edgefeld District
was rather indebted to me than to it, for the posi-
. lion held.
All of which tended to pampcr my vanity and
sell. cuncet in orlcr that they might receive the
deeper wound by my subsequent disappointment.
Blu, have an abiding conviction still, although SC
cllastcned by the rod, that youth is the season fol
mans greatest attainments, and the most appropr
ate time for either talents, industry, or energy
be called into the service Of the commonwealth SO
that if have for my portion, either mind, or zeal
n or assiauy wish to be allowed the opportunity o
displaying it early, in the noblest cause that can en-
i gage the attention of maii-the cause OF my fellow
man-lhe cause Of humanity aud law, and the cause
!, Of my country.
/, In u few years, shall have passed the meridian
: and prime Of manhood, and shall be Incapable o
duing much good, or Of largely promoting rirtuou
: ends, even if my poor abilities should be put int
+ perpetual rcquistiun by the partial and the unanl
o nous voice Of my countrymcn. If possess an.
merits humbly believe, that now is the accepted
time" for their employment, so thatwhen age over
takes me. shall have learned something, and don
- something worthy OF living page in llstory-of
+, lasting rcnown, and an enduring reputation.
h 1t requires experience to perfect ,mnn in an
e knowledge, in any avocaon, or in any mere accom-
e piishmcnt Of life; and it is utterly vain for one to
e Il statesman, unless he is continually honored by hi
!. :. lcllow-aitizcns, with position, and also with the
"" " generous and willing confidence. To prove the in
por,nnce of training in business Of such great mc
mcnt, the celebrated Charles James Fox, declared
ID that he regretted more thar any other OF his pa
Y. conduct as Il politician and minister, his omission
CT occupy the floor OF Parliament, one night, whe
Sc he had the opportunity to speak
re sentativcs, was very proul Of the distinction
e. coming as it did from so numerous and respects
bic constituency, and being very grateful to yc
e. for the trust you reposcd in me- aborcd most carr
i'll estly and attcnvey to discharge all my duties, ar
also. to render myself most thoroughly acquainte
with those duties, in their niccst detail. forg
that the night was made for repose, the eycli,
for slumbcr, whilst devoted myself to your intr>
s. e<ts, and to the honor and glory of South Carolin
m But had scarcely learned to spell Baker, in cs
slaton, with all my diligence and pride, when, witt
id out one official sin, or without the omission Of
le single duty imputed to me, I was deprived Of IN
place, to make way for men, who, though they ma
C have brought intellect to their task, am SURF
) were actuatcd BY no purer or higher motives, tina
prompted my own acts and no one pretcns, that III
District has had better right be exhnltrd at thc
achievements, than at the very humble efforts Of tn
II unprctcnding individual who now appeals for you
is encouragement and support.
&c must be permitted to say, with some show {
!. dignity and fsai;s(acon. that young men lror
olhrr Districts, whose rank in the House, by n
means put me to shame, and in comparison wi,
d whom, had nothing to dread, either on the scor
1t of character, industry capacity, by being conn
+ uea in their seats, have won for themselves, al en-
y vabIe title to distinction throughout the State.
: am satisfied, that if it is my destiny to max
myself beneficial to mankind lawgiver, or as al
cxpounder Of the law, can suffer nothing by ben!
sent again to the Legislature, as soon as possible, be
Ero sL,l b,vo nst ,ll tho know I'D 0e Df my dutes
which had previously gained BY the most intense
application. 4 member barely obtains much inHu
cncc in Legislative bodies during his first term ant
[ he is scarcely ever made the head even of Com
! mittee, until his reelection when lie shall have hat
occasion to acquire tac readiness in debate, business
habits, and to have secured the confidence Of hi
brother members-who constitute the wisest body
of men inthc State. 1t has been some years sinct
+ Edgefrld has claimed, among her delegation, the
5 Chairman Of single important Committee Of the
lower House and Edgefed District, from her grea
szc and from the worth and education Of her popu
lation, should and could exercise commanding and
a prevailing influence over the Legislation of the
State, and over the dcstnics of South Carolina
} Perhaps have in my heart as strong reason
for again soliciting your support as any that have
yet offered. | hate "to give up the ship" can.
no!' is not the language Of manhood, and of reso'
lutte noble nature. {" l will try" was the gallant
reply of true Chevaler BIyard, (Col. Mler,) when
asked by the hero of Lundy's Lane," if with an
inferior body of Infantry he could storm and carry
most destructive battery Of the enemy. lie only