Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1857-03-12
EXPLANATORY.

In commenting upon our article in regard to
the struggle now pending in the Ninety-six Dis
trict, Col. Simkins, the editor Of the Adrertiser
writes thus:-
ut is indeed to be regretted that anything
should have been done in this matter until the
honored remains of our dead Congressman had
been deposited in their last rcsting-place. Yet,
willie admitting thus much, we must be allowed
to deny that the people of the 4th Congressional
District were in any wise inscnsble to their grcv-
Gus loss in the melancholy death of Mr.. Brooks.
We deny that the friends of those gentlemen,
whose names have been announced as candidates
for his vacant scat, were not as kccnly alive rs
others to this painful calamity. In especial, we
deny ourself) that any such announcement
attaches to us the gross charge Of inhumanity
or even of any shadow CT dsrespect to the memo
~ of the deceased However it may be with others,
VIC are not Indifferent to the good opinion of our
co-laborers of the South Carolina press and we
respectfully ask these members of it who have so
swcepingly commented upon this matter to read
the few last numbers Of the Adrertiser, and judge
Of by that record
As far as our friend remarks apply to himself,
they arc conclusive, and, without record, entirely
satisfactory; and we take pleasure in bearing
witness from the record to the very high and deli
cate sense Of propriety which has evidently mark
ed his course in regard to the congressional cleo
ticn. These words Of just commendaton would
have been written at the outset; but, to tell the
truth, when VIC penned our article the editor of
the Adrcrtiser was not present to our mind. We
knew, of course that he WAS not privy to his own
nomination; and we know equally we'll that, un-
der the circumstances, he would not consent to
become q candidate.
Bat in regard to others, VIC must be permitted
to indulge our opinion. It is merely q matter of
opirion-to be determined only by the conduct of
the parties and although the .1dcertiser's means
of information are better than ours, We must con-
tinue to think that if the people of the fourth Con-
gressional District were as keenly alive as others
to the painful calamity which has just befalen
them, they might have chosen method Of mani
Testing sach heavy grief more in accordance with
good taste. There was not the slightest ncccssi-
ty for such hot haste; and to our mind it argued
a condition of public sentiment which we thought,
and think, demands bold, direct and pointed criti
csln.
In this connection, We are tempted to copy sew
eral paragraphs from late number Of the -4dccr-
Gser which will serve completely to place its ac-
complished editor recius in cari0, and at the same
time recommend him, in several particulars, to
the good opinion of our readers. Referring to his
nomination. he says;--
..Kina friends (gentlemen Of prominence and
inhuencc) have been pleased to place our name
before the public rs candidate for seat in Con-
gress Others,-some of greater merit than we,
and oil Of equal claims-haye also been nomina-
ted by friends of high character and position in
our district OF course, the prospect is one of
distraction and discord among the people of Edge
field Several citizens Of intelligence and probity
have spoken to US, il terms of deep regret Of the
condition of things which has here go suddenly
sprung up. We have felt the force Of their opin-
ion and now act accordingly.
"With the most heart felt thanks to our friends
in Edgefeld and elsewhere, We must decline q
place in the Congressional race TOW about to oc-
cur. If there is any one thing u political life we
would avoid more than an other, it is the being in
any wise party to local and personal dssensions
in the matter of our Federal representation. Our
view is Especially now, with the sud calamity be-
fore US which nccessitates o lew clection.) to let
it pass off quietly and amicably If either Of the
two distinguished gentlemen (COl. Pickcns or Gov.
Hammond,) who have been nominated for the post
in question, will accept, hold 1t to bo the duty
of their Juniors to retire from all opposition to
him. Ifnot, there may land probably willy en-
sue scramble. We do not wish to be partici-
pant in, or an accessory to, any such contest
"We trust our friends will concur with US in
this appreciation Of matters as they stand. Can
didly, we prefer the position Of IN independent
South Carolina Editor to place in Congress un-
| der the circumstances.