The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-31
THOMAS THOMSON.
COMMUNICATED.
The Greenwood Interrogatories.


1 see from the proceedings Of meeting OF
the citizens Of Greenwood, which appeared
last week, that the candidates are called upon to
answer certain interrogatoriea
l cheerfnlly recognize the right Of the people
to call upon those who propose to represent them
in the Legislature. for an expression of their
political seu,iments.. 1 shall at all times when
it becomes necessaty. hold myself bound TO give
my views upon ans question which muy be pro-
pounded to me.
The apprehension thnt my views moy not nc
cord wilrthe public sentiment of the District
shall never deter me from an honest expression
of them. I shall never stoop to tine paltry Of
flee of concealng my political principles Tor the
purpose Of winning seat in the Legislature
1 should be unworthy Of the confidence of the
people Of tifs District were ,ofa|sify my own
convictions that they might aeepFd with the
views Of a majority. shalt therefore, without
concealment or evasion, all proper occasions,
glve7publicity to the views entertain.
No one will more cheerfully than myself,
accord to the people the right 10 know tire lead.
ing and cardinal principles by which those who
propose 10 represent them will be governed /;
w hot lhinh thoE Hc 0SiNhHu SllOulQS
be extended 10 absolute and unconditiona al
pledges as toa~bat policy they would pursue
upon issues To- come. or contingencies to happen
III the future. 1t 10 impossible to fore,e the
precise circumstances or condition of things
which may exist upon tho happening of any
future event, and without knowledge of these
it would bc quite as impossible to tell in advance
precisely what would be the best policy to be
pursued Besides, II every member goes into
the Legislative. pledged to do this or that,
and nothing else, then this body ccuses 10
be deliberaiise-its character as a body for
council and deliberation is taken away-its
members are forbiddsa 70 take council Of each
olher-they loose theirr oan Individuality
srnotheriae. it may be, their own convictions
| thus dwarfnG themselves into living human
machines which made to utterrjnst what
they have been told to say. and dSssR9 they
have been instructed to do.
| I mean to think and act for myself, whether
as a representative in your Legislature a
private citizen. intend that my actions shall
accord with my own convictions Of duty, with
ont reference to the opinions of ottssa I shall
pursue my own convictions Of right as mem.
ber Of the Legislature. >. .end leave it to my con-
stitue9ts t4 approve or disapprove Of nay coll.
duct.
With 4Hess prefatory remarks will proceed
to give the views I entertain upon tho questions
propoundsd. wish these views, however, TO be
! upderstood as an exposition Of my present i'm
pressions as to what would be my course upon
the happening Of tie contingencies the -ques-
i tons refer to, and not as an absolute and un.
ISonditjonsl pledge tos act in sitafnture time in
sccordance with them. shall sin accord.
snce with thep until am consincsd they ars
wrong. shalI hold on to the faith that is in
mo till ] shan have found the eonvipcing reason,
Of a.bssssr faith: ! Is6iag before expressed my
aRprobstion, of. .sSsAa 3Sess Of the Richmond
aaa Baltimore ceas sad endsrsSd, through
tho columns u qss ess, The platform Of prin.
eiples upon which tfey hare bssa pissed, j deem
it unnecessary n Pressnt. without going inte
any of the reasons which have influenced me. u
do moro than sgain repeat ,hss I Gill. in my
hunsbIs sAeenlsiks.s q inssei, as may bs IN
N.Y. power .tot tthA siection Of Breckinridgs ~
the chief 'maaetrsSy of this Republic. ! pas.
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