Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-23
52s ASS 436I 9es s65! 6s7 1857 1885! 256s


while we are hopelessy divided by the ambition of
traitors amongst u.s." Admitting all this TOO, what
has it to DO with the principle involved in this part OF
the operation Of the government Of the State Ifthe
Districts were united and true themselves It is evl.
dent that they can control the elections. Even taking
what he asserts to be true is only our misfortune to
be disunted and have traitors in our midst, and no
fault Of the parishes. But where is his proof OF our
dsunion and OF the existence OF traitors in onr midst
We would ask him if our two United States Senators
are not from the Districts II three of four Of
Chanceors are not from the Districtsl If four out
of six Of our Law Judges not from the Districts!
II our four Solicitors not from the Districts III
our Comptroller General, Surveyor General and Sec.
retary OF State not from the Districts! And IT
our Chief Magistrate is not from q District! And
we ask him if all these officers have been traitors
Were CALHOUN and McDUFFIE traitors to the Dstrcts
Have BUTLER and WARDLAw been traitors to old
Edgefsld! We ask him TO show proof of the prac-
,ical operation of his assertion and if he believes in
the utter depravi,y of the whole human race!
He gravey asserts "forgot the Legislature elects
every important officer in the State" We beg the
gentiemnn,s pardon-we forgot no such thing. He
surely must be labouring under mental hallncina.
ton: We are really fearful shat the intensy of his
enthusiasm, upon Division, and other pct political
schemes, hns entirely consumed greatly impaired
, hi, judgment. We have seen it stated in some dis.
tingushed author that every great man is liable at
times to become insane the particular subject upon
which he may have set his heart For we regard the
fact of the election Of every important officer IN tho
State, by the Legislature, involved in the question
itself.
Again he says, "we forgo. the Districts have nearly
m siie sif' VI
The Legislature as the Parishes" We have already
attempted TO show that large majority Of the most
honorable and important Offices filled by those
from the Districts. But this, like the Others has the
failing Of not being applicable to the point.
in addition, he says we forgot that the Of
voting in the Legislature is by secre. ballot" This,
we suppose, is the broad mantle that covers the
reacherous acts of those members from the Districts
Until he ,ubstantiates his charge of corruption, this
cannot apply, and will be subject to tho technical
language of ga pro peru, and by the laws
OF fair argument must be excluded.
The following IS the grand climacteric of all his
"fogots." He says, we forgot that ambition is az
strong feeling in mans nature as religion, love OF
property or any other great principle that actuates
humanity" Now, it would be impossible for US 10
forge, this from having always In our "mnd's eye''
an example Of "vaul'ing ambition Overlapping it.
self" It remains with unbiased public 10 decide
whether we have made good his grauitous charge OF
.gross ignorance upona subject which he had studied
long and closely" We would respectfully suggest to
him, that bold unprecedented and sophiscul dsser-
tons, are not arguments, and much easier produced
than" epithets.
We admit that the remaining portin of his piece
at times quite bacd our humble abilities to arrive At
his meaning, and SEQ its connection with the main
point issue. It is unnecessary to reply minuey TO
what he has said, for If wo have subspntiated our
position and shown that the conclusions that he has
drawn from his premises incorrect, his argument
will be condemned by The Lagciaus' maxim Of " fdlsus
in ,lno, taLsus IN omnibus" Hence, what he has
asserted, that legitmatey bears upon the question
must fall to the ground In fact tho greater part Of
what he has said about Lawyers seems to be but
series Of accusations against them as body, with
subsequent qualifying expressions which eItenuates,
or neutralize its otherwise injurious effect We are
sorry that such is not the in every instance. He
least two thirds Of the lawyers in the Legislature from
the Districts, betray their constituents and bend the
supple knee to the Parishes" This is grave charge
against the honor and honesty Of those members Of our
profession in the Legislature Of South Carona-a
class OF distinguished for their talent integrity,
patriotism and gentlemanly bearing, and who have
endeavored to preserve their honor, as bright as
the sword which they hold ready to defend it.
And we now challenge him to his proof Of single
tatorous act or to an instance where they have sac
feed the interest and welfare of tho Commonwealth
to personal advancement; or in which they have
crooked the pregnant hinges Of the knee that thrift
may follow fawning"
But he is not content with casting reproach upon
tho professional members Of the Legislature, but he
has drawn nvidious distinction between the mem
bers of our bar. He aays " 1t may be said that
desire rank myself tho only honest lawyer at
Edgefeld Court House, but such is not the case
Professionally there seperal members OF the Bar
here, who are my equastn character, and my suPer
ors in ability and requirements; but politically, DO
claim 10 speak and act with at least much indepen-
dence as any of them" We trust he will now give
us an evidence of his boasted independence by throw
ing aside The broad shield Of general and indscrim-
nate accusation and confirm relieve the majority Of
the members Of the Bar from the nerential charge Of
dishonesty or at least Of inferioriy in professional
character.
he says that he anticipates that nothing will be leh
undone to break him down." It il not our wish 10
throw the smallest obstacle in the way Of his political
prefermcnt, much less to break him down. But we
cannot suffer the Profession be msepresonted that
he may crafty his political aspirations, by catering
TO vulgar prejudice and endeayorng to excite the i'll
will of the honest farmers Of country against us
Personally, we entertain no unknd feelings to-
ward him. and what we have written, has been from
contentious discharge Of what we believe to be due
to truth and justice, and more in sorrow than in an
ger. JUNIOR.
Edgcfeld C. H., S. c., Jan go, 1886.
~ j. WooD Davidson writes a very pretty piece
Of poetry for the Columbia Examiner on the name Of
Mary. Sweet name!