The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-08-31
coNistuSIcayEp. ..
10 the Voters M AbhaSiiin district

penred n series Of questions propounded to tIie
candidates for the Legislature by the citizens
of Greenwood, which propose, through the
same medium, to answer.
"hlist do not consider it, in accordance
with the spirit Of our Republican institutions
that the Representative should become the
mere nutomaton of the people on aues tions os
detail, or that large class Of matters which can
only be deSIded wisely after an interchang. of
viawe. and with full knowledge Of attendant
circumstances; yet, 1 think the voters should
know the principles and the general scope Of
the political opinions of those who propose to
represent them. And. therefore. think il
righ, for the candidate, when requested, and
upon proper occasions, to express his opinions.
mean his real opinions. for If the candidate
for office, for the sake of office expresses opin.
ions other than those really entertained, he
not only acts the part of the demagogue, but
is false to the fundamental principle Of Repub.
licnn Government The people have more in
terest in exacting from their candidates for
office frankuess and candor, than in requiring
Submissive acquiescence in their own opinions.
Mr. Burke expressed the true view when he
said to his constituents of Bristol: Il did rot
obey your Instructions: No, l conformed to the
Instructions of truth and nature, and maintain
ed your interests against your opin ions, with
a constancy that became me-
In this spirit answer the questions:
lst Interrogatory: "Are you prepared to
cast your vote for the nominees Of the Rich
mond and Baltimore Seeding Constitui ional
answer, that if elected, I expect to vote
for Breckenridge and Lane. If we could elect
these gentlemen, and thereby give the sanction
of the country to the platform upon which
they stand. the anti.slavery Black Republican
party would not only be defeated, but virtual
ly destroyed. There is reason to hope that as
political organization. they would never be
$50 formidable again. South Carolina Joined in
the nomination of Breckinridge and Lane. and
she is bound in honor to meEe common cause
with her Southern sisters IiaSssincere, honest
effort to elect them. And in this view her
character for fidelity. well as her true inter
ests require that she should refrain from every
thing pending the canvass likely to damage the
prospects of their election. 1t is we'll ,known
that endorsed the nomination as soon as the
intelligence Of it reached US.
Cd. Interrogatort: "In the event of the
election of the Black Republican candidate to
the Presidency will you decide at once for a
Southern Confederncy, or will you submit to
the victorious Nomination."
answer, that still have some hopes as 10
the result of the Presidential election. am
not yet willing to admit that Lincoln will Ger.
tainly be elected. Such admission think i'm
polite and likely 10 essist in producing the re-
suit so much deprscatsd aLircolawi ill not hase
majority of the peoplein the U1nsted States in
his favor, and can hardly bring myseIfto he.
'lieve that he will be elected. We should at
least struggle earnestly and faithfully against
it to the last. But if our worst Gfsars should
be realized in his election. then am in favor
of dissolution Of the union and the forma-
tion Of a Southern Confederacy. The funda-
mental principle of the Black RI publican o.
ganizationis opposition to slavery-that con.
stitutes it's vital element, and the election Of
their candidate BY purely sectional vote will
demonstrate both their rower and their deter
mination TO wage a relentless war upon our 80.
giAf Institutions. This conclusion as to the
S}6e kPl4iey. of the South is attained, not so
sfnhah simple election Of an obnoxious
;!5a1s6E tprehensicn Of f.'immediate danger
SIs6Fe7ty, as from the evidence which
that election W " afford Of the probable con.
ditrou of things III the future. As single
event, the eiention of Lincoln will be compar.
atively harmIea but as a symptom "a eenai-
ton Of thingtit vii. y truly alstahniid6 si1i
will ahsolve us fa9psik kpf ffaetense ofsoJsi 6ston
to remain longer sn Union. sIhe Bisa,sRe.
publican party, it is true does dot Mishatspose
to interfere with slavery in the stSSsspbnS the
dogu,as upon which, the part sodnaea
must Inevitably lead to that. IffIet follow
kout their principles to their legitimate results,
they will. at NO distant day, rrofose hgisldi
tksn upon slavery in the Statesl s.Their power
Pas il Dasbeen prqdueed-will ssifi continue
~ liysppon opposition to that great institution
.whIph;is necessary to US, and which we are re-
|~so]ved to maintain at all hnzasds. The fanat.
isal spirit of thes organization win be stiruu
lated by having control of the Governmsnt;
and, in my Judgment. it would be the wisess
course for tue slaveholdipg States not to remain
in the union after ane election Of q Black Re-
publican President.
3d.. Interrogatory: ain case the formal
union and confederacy Of two or more Of III
cotton States should prove impracticable. VII
you or will you not espouse: in Gods strength
the secession of South Carolina separate and
alonef .s
"Beh f'vthsr Resolved i.naainsoatsss. Z1a
toe niH slpport no candidate for the 'LSSiadsSEa
| eho either reftlses to respond to tho aJove inteT
sgatoriss. or fails to a,s'ser them anegaivoeulis
tfn the Affirmative" .~s .... -. -
In answering this Interrogatory.I will max.
NO allusion to the pers5ip,ets. resolution o
condemnation in sdysnce. ~ish. .tccompanie,
1t, except to say tfiat ii has Bsasao effect what
ever upon the expression Of my opiuiona NJ
man isrfit To represent the intelligent and lib
sral minded District of AbbesiIle who has no
views of his oSn too we'll settledao be ehsnget
by such meAhs. or wboin q matter of impor
'tsues wouk asir's sbresdtt. even !;
escapsdefeas wh horrors fokaa be n
] ABsst tibet this question has been pro
pounded. not on.my exn account, hus, fsen