Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1858-10-30
The Representative Elect.


editorial columns of the Anderson Gazcttc,
will be read with interest at this:
Col. JoHN ID. AsIIMoRE-Th gentle
man whose name heads this article has been
chosen by the people of the Fifth Congress
>ional District to succeed our present able
and distinguished Representative, the Hon
James j. Orr. And it is not for the pur-
pose of cnlightcning our citizens, to whom
he is most favoyably known, but to give to
! the whole country our estimate of his char
actcr, that we indite this article. We
have taken no position in our paper during
the recent campaign for Col. Ashmorc, be-
cause VIC regarded the contest entirely on
the personal merits of the candidates. and
think t!mt Editors, at least, should keep
aloof from the public advocacy of mon,
VIXEN there were no practical measures in
volvcd. Moreover his competitor, Mai. II.
o. Z. Vernon, we regarded as an honora-
bic and worthy gentleman, entitled to the
confidence of an intelligent constituency, if
they saw proper to place him in oflice.-
For these reasons, then, we did not wicld
our pen in behalf of our fellow towns
man. Now, the people of our Conercssion-
al District have selected him as their future
Representative. and it is proper that we
express our qualification at the result, and
accord to Col. AshmOrc the just need of
praise
Col, Ashmorc, as the majority of our rca-
ders know, vas born in Grccnville District,
and lived there until about the age OF IL
years, wien he went to Pcndlcton, and be-
came Il clerk, VIC think, for firm still OK
listing there. He afterwards left this Dis,
trict, aud locating in Sumter District, pur-
sued the study of law
Soon after being admitted to the prac-
tice of law he married. At an early age,
the citizens ofSumter sent him to represent
them i'll the lower branch of the Lcgisa-
turc, which position they repeatedly assign
ed him, and which he filled with marked
and consummatc ability. Forscveral years
although young member, he was Chair
man of Ways aud Means, the most impor-
tant Committee of the House In 1858
he was elected by the Legislature to the
responsible Office of Comptroller General of
the State, the duties of which he discharg-
ed with admirable oxactness and correct
understanding. In 1854 he removed his
family to our town, bought lands n few
miles in the country, and while completing
the term of his Office, pnrsucd at the same
time the vocation of a farmer, in which, we
have heard his immediate ncighbors aver,
he was most successful
AS politician he has ever upheld the
principles of pure, consistent JciIcrsonian
Democracy, In 1851 he was co-opora-
zionist, and during the recent canvass, he
has repeatedly declared himsclfa States
Rights Democrat, and willing to support
the present organization of the Democratic
party, belevingit to be the only reliable
party in the Union. In all respects, so far
rs we have heard his speeches. VIC sec little
difference between his political creed and
that of our present Representative. Col.
A. is fearless in the expression of his views,
a ready dcbatcr, and possessed of that en-
crgy and force of character which fore
shadow the working and useful member.
In person, Col. Ashmore is above the
medium height, commanding figure, dark
hair and black piercing eyes-affablc and
courteous i'll manners, he speedily wins the
affections of his felow-men, and their ad-
miration of him where best known amounts
to enthusiasm. AS public speaker he
has gallant, dashing style that interests
the hcarer and asserts that he is imbued
with the true graces of oratory.
We predict for Col. Ashmore an honor
ed career in the Federal Legislature
|
TIE BALLOON RAoE.--Thc Cincinnati
Gazette gives full details of the balloon race
between Professor j. III. Steiner and Mons
j GODDARD For time they were so close
together that they toasted each other over
bumpers of sparkling Catawba, and after
wards, at a height of 5000 feet, came in
collision, without doing any serious dam.
age
The acronauts started from Cincinnati at
4.2l, and Mons. GODDARD landed at about
twenty minutes past ten, fifteen miles west
of Sandusky, having been up about six
hours. Professor Steiner landed at 10. 80,
having been IN the air ten or fifteen min,
utes longer than his competitor; and hay-
ing travelled in the six hours and ten min
utcs about two hundred and thirty miles,
landing just outside the corporate limits Of
Sandusky.
Both could have Travelled considerably
farther, but neither having knowledge 6i
the whereabouts ofthe other, and not feel.
ing disposed to attempt to cross the lake
into Canadian forest, they descended and
returned to town together over the IEamil-
ton and Dayton railroad.
According to the stipalatioms of the race,
| signed ana witnessed before starting, it was