Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1865-10-05
To the Voters Of !orangeburg, EdgeHeld.
Abbeville, Newberry, lexington, Rich
land, and Fairfield

land, and Fairfield.
FELLOW CITIZENS After much hesitation,
have consented to be put in nominution for
your Representative in the Congress of the
United States. I publish this card, because
the District is so large and the time before the
election SO short that could not, if desired.
canvass the District. If canvass were pose
sible, however, do not think it becoming or
desirable In my judgment. this Is no time for
a scramble for office. It seems to me that no
one properly impressed with the solemuity Of
the crisis, and the delicacy and Importance Of
the duties to be discharged. could seek the po-
sition merely for the qualification of personal
ambition. For myself declare that have no
wish but to serve the State.
In 1888. South Carolina, through q conven.
tion of her people, became one Of the United
States. She remained member of the Union
until December 1860, when through another
convention of her people, she repealed the Or
dinance of 1888, aeceded from the United
States. aud with certain other sister States en-
tered into another government known as the
Confederate Government. We believe that we
had the right to secede and that our security
| requ ired it's exercise in cooperation with ohr
Southern sisters. South Carolina, in 1852 pro-
claimed by solemn ordinance the right Of se-
cession. 1t had long been the settled opinion
OF the State that she was sovereign and entl.
tied to all the rights Of sovereignty. She as.
serted sell +. overnment in order to secure her
institutions and principles from great evils, be.
lieved to be imminent Secession was in the
nature of proceeding quia tiu,eG 1t was con
ceirsd in the spirit Of self-preservation-not to
injure others but to ourselves It cannot
be necessary to eay that am one of those who
believe it was an honest effort for honorable
purposes. The United States Government de-
FIO n oooa aaatn and
on the Confederate States. which stood unon
the defensive. terrible war Of invasion and
dehofatlon followed, and finally the Confede-
rate States were overwhelmed >by force of
numbers and dissolved. At the end Of the war
the State Of South Carolina found the Confed
eracy broken up, her citizens who .ssrvived the
terrible ordeal exhausted and impoverished,
her institutions destroyed. and the Whole coun
ry occupied by the military forces of the Uni
ted States. Under these cpalnfiil'circumstance
tthe President of the United States invited the
States lately composing the Confederacy 20 re.
organize their governments aud restore their
connection WITH the Constitution and Govern
ment of the United Stntes, upon certain con
dltions the principal Of which was an acouia.
cerce in the abolition Of slavery, whicI, had
been accomplished by the military nu,hori,i...
The state, wisely in my ju'idmrnt. responded
favornbly to the inv,t.t 1t is true that
the mere issue Of battle does not prove right
any. more than did the old wager of battle
but 1T does prove power which cannot he dis
regarded. A Provisional Govcruor wa. an
pointed. who called enihcr convention Of the
people. which hns lately repealed tho Ordi-
nance Of Secession, and by m article in the
State Constitution, rscugnse1 the abolition of
slavery and prohibited its re.extablishrn.pt.
By rePe 'llnS that of Secession, the Ordinance
of 1888, through which South Cnrolin, be-
came n member Of the Union, was ip.o fqcto
revived, and We are this la in the Union pre.
n : ,yah h,ISo in 4
TO 1860.
We are now in very nnon,alnus position.
Relying upon tn. COOL faith and patriotic in.
ten.ions of the President Of the United States.
we have done all Tint was required Of us t.,
restore our old relations to the Constitution
nnd the Union but still we have not been
received into fellowship Mt Washington. That
important part Of the plan of reconstruction
remains yet to be accomplished. 1t is under
stood. that party will o. pose the Presidents
plan of recognizing the St7tes and giving to
them equality Of rights. and will insist upon
st!li farther despo iliug aud crushing the States
OF the South ns conquered provinces. This
radical fanatical party opposed our leaving
the Union, aud now they oppose our return
ing to it. When we were in the Union, they
abused w account Of slavery. They waged
war upon Us because we tried to separate from
out slavery, they still object. In this emer-
gency tho State needs the assistance of all her
true men. Much remains to be done. and not
tie least is to secure a prudent, faithful and
patriotic representation in Congress, to assist
and forward the work Of restoration which
the State has commenced. I arrogate not to
myself fitness to form part of such a represeu.
tation. but friends Have urged me forward. and
if you ara willing to try me, I will give my
best efforts.
IN some respects. ve are at the beginning Of our
policy, as II we were a new State abost to as.
sumo new relations with our sister States
but We must not allow ourselves to FORGET that
in other respects we are an old stateSa State
having 1ntecedents-A name to maintain aud
a history to pressfve. Whatever may betiis
US in the uncertain future the past. at least, is
secure. South Carolina has never swerved
from the path of honor, as she conceived it.
We have q record of which mono need lie as.
named; and when any npostate con Of hers
discaims or diapnrages it, ihay she cast him
out as unworthy Of her. The devotion of every
true son ef the State adheres In adversely az
we'll as 10 prosperty--is loyal through evil as
well as through good report and in the midst
of the greatest smisfortunes, 'sticketh closer
than brother. @'''H
-After the delegations from tho Southern
States shall have been received into Congress,
many delicate and important duties will de.
Solve upon them. especially In reference to
the freedmen Of tire south, aud the control
which Congress. or party in Congress. may
oSoIIo otth ~ cAcFct6o oVer Sp6uls II may not
be improper, in this connection, TO say that
whilst have apprsved the cofirse Of the State
in seeking to restore her old relations with the
Government Of the United States. 1t has been
upon tile faith aud expectation that the State,
as soon as reconstructed, is to have ent ire con.
troll Of : Q whple~subject Of her domestic al.
fairs.se The State, and the State Alone must be
left TO decide to whom she will give the right
of suffrage or other political rights. a new code
saoir, must be enacted to protect and govern
'the population lately made free--to prevent
Sidleness, vagranry, spaupefism and crime. L
an, not prophet enough 10 torsse whether we
can succeed, but Isotemnly believe it will te
impossible TO lire Id the, country at all unless
the State has exclusive control Of the whole
Subject. hnys hope that this willbs permit
Stsd, aud think it isia' accofdaHce with ourin.
terssts and true policy tpssas.nif the President