Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-07-08
Letter from DR.. II. r. Cook.
BEECH ISLAND. June II, 1868

public notice may be attributed to.persona
vanity; but I console myself in this respec
with the idea that I believe it to be the dut
!, Of every good citizen, VIXEN a suitable occa
sion offers, in times of great public calamity
tespscially when all leadership is: s:dethroned
Eas it now is, to contribute their m:te;toward
I originating: or confirming a policy for tn
| general welfare !; and deem this propel
occasion for myself, particularly as hav'
reason to believe that some of my friends
least Inexperienced my true. position il
:. consequence of words spoken by me sale;da5
in April last, at the time of the formation o
the Edge6eld Democratic Club, and the nom
ination Of candidates for the Legislature, ant
other offices. deem 1T due to them'to put
myself right on tkerecord, and furthermore
as citizen whohas ever faithfully discharged
his dulles as such, and having at one tins
been before tue public, I claim the right te
place myself. as I really stand: ..,
On the occasion alluded to, q Democratic
Club was formed with view to- cooperate
with the Democratic party of the North, as
we had beec invited by the representations, ol
that party to do. To this gave my assent
But when the proposition came up in a sub.
sequent meeting, held Immediately after the
adjournment of the Democratic meeting, to
nominate Candidates for the various State
aud. District Offices, I counselled against such
nomination on the grounds that, 6rst, we had
no time to organize, there being but seven
days before the election, and furthermore,
as test vote was to be taken at the same
time upon the adoption Of the Radical Con-
| sttution, I did not consider, judging from the
experience Of other States, that it would
make any difference how the Democrats Or
Conservatives voted,- Constitution would
be accepted by Congress at all hazards, and
we would have the modification of having
entered into bootless contest, and.our pco
Die become m ,re or less demorahzcd in con-
sequence. l therefore thought it more advi-
sable to reserve our FIRE until the P Presidential
-eleciionlin November, when we would proba-
Lly be able, with the help of the Democrats
North.,t strike down the great Head Centre
of all our woes, and the-whole machinery
freared upon this base would tumSleHto the
ground. But others thought differently, and
calling for immediate action the candidates
were accordingly nominated; and not being
Yiing,to See my friends enter contest, how
ever unpromisipg it-appcared to nle, without
.deirg what Lcould to onssist them, subsequent
" with akeerlulness rendered what7-aid /
could. Isay did'it With cheerfuluess, but
It was the kind of cbeerfulness with which
proud aud concicntious man would do what
he deemed to be his duty, for confess that
my heart, was more, deeply saddened by the
act. for l felt that the proud aud once gloii
Gus South Carolina wascompromising herself
!, in the compliance. For what is life worth
without victory or dealh? This language
NAV seem harsh and recriminating, but /
know that the surviving sons of true Caroli-
ma will forgive me when | tell them that l
write it with tears in my eyes and heart
broken for the past.
South Carolina is notamy natire home, but
she ;s the home of my affections, of all that
that is nearest and dearest to me on earth :
the home of my choice, and the home upon
which 1 based all my temporal and eternal
hopes and to see her sons and daughters in
the situation in which they are in now, paral
lied, trampied upon, by ansing!orious foe: is
more than heart can bear without giving ut
terrace to my feelings.
/ 1t is true, have never had an opportunity
of fighting her battles in the front rank in
the field, although in service during the wal
but it was not because had not the desire,
but because, on account of nay profession, my
friends assigned to me the more arduous, but
mot less truly glorious task of moral con-
Aict, and my pride not permitting me to seek
tor position, as others did, fearing that my
influence was not great enough to obtain it, ]
listened to their syrcn voice. But surely
"He who for his mistress sake,
Lays down his fife and limbs at stake,
Does not so much deserve her favor, 7s'
As he who pawns his soul to have her"
Reared in. .lhe political school Of State
Sovereignty, and drawing my inspiration fol
the last thirty-ive years from that purest o.
political fountains in Amcrica-the South
| Carolins school of politics-led by such mel
as Harper, Calhoun, MeDufie, Hayne, Rhott
and host of other worthless, together viii
our own Pickens, who, though now lying il
retirement and disfranchised though he be, rs
,s+ covered ail over with honorable scars OBJ
.o;rel in q faithful and lifelong coLdict FOL
Southern rights; and last, though not least
/ that brilliaut and ever progressive genln
whose truthful. history few can write. ant
whose heart during the whole OF his career
was as true to the interest of South Carolin'
end the, South, as the Needle to the Pole
1 James e. Hammond ;--it is not surprising
that should have baen warm advocate ol
secession. aud consistent. pefsevering ano
hopeful adherent to lhc Cause, dpPing tht
war or regret to see the gallantry and hero
/ ism displayed in The field by such men as ou
Bonham, Butler, Gary, John simkins, Hamp
den Brooks, Bland, Addison, and others o
doubtless equal worth, and whose names d'
not now occur to me. Captained by that gal
liant soldier ard Christian geutlcmaa-Wad
Hampton admirable Chrichten OF sonti
Carolina,-prov entirely fraitless; and receiv
Il ing too additional inspiration from our nob