Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1860-03-31


should be fairly represented in the govern
mcnt of its production, for at least one execu-
tive term in three -fourths of a century. Be
Iicyiug that the positions herein taken arc
mcontrovertible upon any principle of fair
reasoning, the question arises as to whom the
South-thc cotton States of the South-can
present for the Executive Office, worthy to
become their representative man, and able
to administer the affairs of this great Con-
tedcNcy so as to best promote the interests
of all sections, md thereby strengthen the
bond OF fratcrnal union In this conncc-
ton many distinguished and worthy names
might be uggcsted-scveral, indeed, have
been Somewhct prominently spoken of-but
amongst them all, without intending the
slightest disparagcmcnt to others, the name
OF James Lawrence Orr, of South Carolina,
Is confidently presented as the man of the
crisis. MIR. Orr is n young man, not cX-
cecdlng thirty eight or forty years of age, in
the zenith of a cultivated and enlarged in
teIlect-wlth Judgment ripe, discriminating
and ing-mOdcrate conservative and
yet firm in his political views and sentiments,
dcvotcdy attached to the Constitution and
the Cnlon, with heart sufficiently enlarged
and patriotic to embrace all the great inter
eSts OF every section of our common country
His administrative talents arc of the highest
order, and his peculiar abilities to govern
masses OF men, and to regulate tie aspcritcs
ot communities, sections and countries, has
been demonstrated by his public carecr-
Possessed of an indomitabc energy of pur-
pose, he is impelcd to action, when engaged
IN the public service, by an enlarged sense
ot patriotic justice. SO transparent in all
his conduct, as to cXtort the admiration and
confidence of all men everywhere with
whom he is thrown into contact thoroughly
vcrscd in the theory and practical workings
OF the Government; familiar with all its
conqucsts in peace and in war; hubucd with
the spirit of the Constitutions and viewing
with prophetic eye the promised land of our
national prosperity and greatness, to be at
taned by placing ourselves on the platform of
the Constitution, and unfurling the banner
OF the Union over our heads under his nuid-
apcc, the wrcckcrs who surround the shin of
State will be driven off, and the vessel on
which is embarked the last hope of Rcpubli
can liberty, will be conducted safely to tie de-
sired haven Not only arc the abilities of Mr..
Orr peculiarly adapted to the Executive Office,
but his political record, and his private and
public character, are as pure and bright as
tiat OF any statesman our country has pro-
duccd. He was bred and born Democrat,
and educated chiefly at the University of Vir-
ginia; he there imbibcd such copous draughts
of the spirit and principles of the Sage of
Monticello, that he has never, for moment.
torsaken the faith of the fathers of the party.
Nu. Orr entered public life in the fall of 1914, |
a the age of twcnty,one years, having been
returned to the Legislature after most ex-
citing and animated contest, in which he lead
his party with heavy majority, and received
the largest popular vote ever given to any
man in his district. On entering the General
Assembly, he Immediately took very hgh
position rs a debatcr, and as Il profound, con
servativc and strictly orthodox politician of
the Democratic school He continued to rep
resent his district in the State Legislature for
four years, with distinguished ability at the
end of which time-in the fall of lS4S-hc
was elected to Congress by large majority,
over competitor of great experience and dis
tnctlon. He continued in Congress for ten
years, having been returned at each success
svc election, without opposition and with the
almost unanimous appreciation of his constit.
uents, finished his Congressional career on
the 4th Of March, 1859, with his brilliant adj
minstration of the Office of Speaker of the
House of Representatives. At that time. he
withdrew voluntarily from public life, with
the hearty well-done of grateful constitucn
cy, and returned to the quiet and peaceful
pursuits of private citizen, to which he is
devoting himself with all the ardor of his
earlier years; unconncctcd with the political
Of the day, happy in the midst
OF his family and friends, unambitous as TO
the possession of any place, save in the hearts
OF his countrymen, orof any pursuit, save that
to which he has voluntarily retired, he will
abandon them with reluctance to enter on any
oihcial station, however honorable; but like
Clncinnatus Of old, when called from the
handles of his plow to the helm of govern
ment, he will, if ii is demanded of him, ad
vance again to his countrys service at his
country call. The career Of Mr.. Orr, whilst
IN the Congress of the United States, is so well
known to the country, that it would be a work
of supcrcrogation to refer to it here. Let it
sufice to say that during the ten years
OF hls stewardship, he discharged, with
distinguished ability and fidelity every duty
incumbent on him but he was particularly
conspicuous for his enlarged conservatism.
and the nationality of his political sentiments.
Ever watchful and jealous to promote the
interests, and sustain the constitutional rights
OF the South, he had heart to appreciate
and boIdness to defend the interests and
honor of every section OF the Confcdcracy.-
Unlike many of the politicians of his section
whose waking aud sleeping dreams for years
nave been to devise means to dissolve the
Union of the States, he has devoted all the
powers of his great intellect to the work of
allaying sectional strife and animosity, and to
the DerDntuDtion Of thn Eodnr,l ,;nn on. a.,