The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1865-11-15
TO tho People of south Carolina.

Expecting to leave the State, in q few
days, for an uncertain period, I cannot do
so without expressing to my fellow-citiZcns
my profound sense Of the honor paid to me
by the vote given to me in the recent cleo
ton for Governor. In returning my thanks
to them for the late spontaneous and cx-
traordinary manifestation of their kind
ness it is due to them that should state
the reasons which induced me to decline to
be 4 candidate. Ii the first place, the
Convention, which gave the election of
Governor to the people, had, with singular
unanimity-though not III their public "A
pacity-requested the distinguished S"a-
tleman who has been elected to become
candidate for the Office. This he consented
to do, though, doubtless, 1T great personal
inconvenience, and a heavy sacrifice oFhis
private interests. Under these circunl-
stances, was unwilling to do anything
that might cause political contest in tho
State. thought that no good could arise
at home from such a contest, whilst it
might do lis infinite mischief &broad. The
President Of the United Statos had exhibit
ell not only a strong disposition to protect
the South from the ra.licalism OF the North,
but to re-instate Us in our civil and poll
tical rights. I feared that my elcc.ion.-by
embarrassing him in his labors and policy
might incidentally do harm to the State.
Supcraddcd 10 these con sidcrations of
public character, detcrrinS me from ap-
pearing as candidate, there were others
Of private nature no l.ss strong. My
affairs, neglected. for Ave years, impcra-
lively demand my personal attention Had
I believed that my election as Governor
conld really benefit the State, or subscrve
any of her true interests, no sacrifice Of 4
private nature, however great, would have
deferred me from accepting that or any
other position to which she might have
called me; but regarding my nomination
only as compliment from some Of my
former comrades, felt at liberty to de-
cline. though deeply sensible OF the honor
paid to nle by the nomination, and the
manner in which it was received throughout
the State. These reasons, which I hope
you will understand and appreciate, i'm
PEELED me to withdraw my name. Having
given the reasons for the coarse pursued,
and expressed my thanks for Your gen G.
rous confidence in me, should, perhaps,
here close. But the evidence You have
given OF your kindness to. and confidence
IL, mc-evldcncc as unexpected rs It is
gratifying me, l trust without
presumption, to add few words of counsel.
For years past, it has been the boast of
our State that there was but one party
within her limits. CommcndaL!e and
vital as that state of affairs was during the
War, it is scarcely, if at all, less SO now.
Every association of the past, every duty
of the present, every hope of the future,
bid US still to stand shoulder to shoulder"
The work before lis demands all the patri-
otism, all the courage, all the endurance Of
Our whole people. Let no party strife, no
from the great and pressing work of the
hour. That of terminating, as far rs pos
siblc our PROSTATE and bleeding State, and
habltating her, as speedily as may be,
wit; the forms, the rights and the sauctity
of government and OF laW.
That DarIuc. which WAS launched :. fc3-
years a5o, amid such joyous accla2l;,tiona,
which Was frcishted with such precious
hopes, and which was waited by such
earnest prayers, has suffered shlpwrcck.
1t Dc;Ioovcs Us, as WISE men, to build Of its
broken t!mbcrs, AS best We may, 4 raft
whenever we may hope to reach a haven OF
rest and safety.
1t may be, that when the forms OF go
vcrnment arc restored, and freedom OF
speech allowed to us, your late Convention
Will be subjected to harsh criticism and its
| action impuSncl. Should such, unhappi-
~, be the case, remember that You, the
pcC:lc of South Carolina, accepted this
Convention as part and parcel OF the terms
of vcur surrender. The Presiden: had no
shadow OF authority, l admt-;lmder the
Constitution Of the United States-to order
Il Convention in this or any other State;
but, as p ron4neror, he HAD the right to
offered by .i:n you have accepted, and you
ar bound, by every dictate OF honor and
OF ,aanli.css, to abide by them honestly
amd 70 keep, IL good lath the pledges you
havr given. do not, myself, concur fully
III al! the measures adopted by the Con
v::.;l"ii h,ft l shall c!:ccriGiy ;,c,iuicacc il