Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-08-05
For tho Advertiser.


Mr. EolroR: being aware of the impression
which has been generated in the minds OF the
citizens of Edgefeld against me, on account OF
the unenyiable and ever-to be-regretted position
which occupied as Register and Manager Of tne
late Elections (so called) which have. taken place
in our District, under the Reconetruction Acts OF
the Rump Congress, deem it duty which l
owe to myself as member ofethesD Democratic
party, to my family, and my friends, and being
prompted no less by that spirit which should ever
animate the heart of every South Carolinian,
"true to the manor born," to make brief expla-
nation of the circumstances under which came
to occupy the position.
Immediately nfter the adjourning of the So
called Convention of South Carolina, composed OF
set of scallawags, Carpet Baggers and Free
Negroes, received communication from Head
quarters, Military Post of Aiken, (per courier,)
appointing mo Registrar vice McKenna, which
respectfully declined, requesting Moi. Walker to
appoint some one who would accept, and gave
myself no further concern until on the evening
before the Board mot at Pleasant Lane, when, to
my surprise, received the following communica-
ton:
HEADQ'Rs MILITARY PosT OF AIKEN,
Aiken, S. c., March 27, 1883.
Mr.. R. W. CANNON, Registrar 9th Reg't. E. D.
Sir: I am directed by the Post Commander tc
transmit the following extracts of letter from
Headers. I'd Mil. District, for your Information
aud guidance:
"Registrars ore civil officers Of tho Government
and are bound to.perform the duties imposed upor
them by competent authority, and any failure tt
perform these duties will subject them,to arrest
| and on conviction, to loss of psy and allowances
as may be ordered by the Court"
The Post Commander also desires me to inform
you that you were appointed g Registrar per Par
| II, G. o. %, from these Headquarters, "a copy
which has been trnnsmitted) and that your oath
have not haan received; he orders that you trans
NIT tho onths at once, and Ieet the Board 7
which you hare been assigned, on March 3lst
| 1858, at Pleasant Lane.
J. ALMY,,
I'd Lieut.. 9Th Cav, P. A.
Or receiving the above communication, still
determined to have nothing to do with the Reg
istration, but on consulting with my friends, Gen
Bonham, H. T. Wright, Esq, Maj. Jos. 'Abney
W. F. Durisoe, Sr, and others, who advised m
to 60 under the circumstances, concluded
with great reluctance to meet the Board, howeve
detrimental to my own business, which necessn
rily had to neglect and repugnant to my feeling
It might be-, rather than to risk arrest by tn
| Military. We are bound, Mr.. Editor, to'perforr
duties, however unpleasant and disagreeable the
may be7 under certain circumstances, and espe
cially whom under Radical tyranny and backe
I,by the bayonet. I then informed Maj. Wake
that could not act as Manager of the Election
but he refused to excuse me, as ho had orders nc
to allow the managers to resign. do not wish
attach any blame to Maj. Walker, inasmuch
he had to act under higher authority.
Such, Mr. Editor, is plain and unvarnishe'
statement of the circumstances under which
acted, and which has caused some of the citizen
to doubt my position. I must say, Mr.. Editor
performed this duty with more reluctance tha
my that has over been imposed upon me-
need not explain the platform upon which
island. need not soy that I am in favor Of tn
Democratic Party with HoratiO Seymour for on
leader, and Francis P. Blair for our standar
bearer: that I am in favor, tf white man
Government, and white mans country, and tha
this sh,uld be one, let the consequences be wins
they may; that am utterly and totally oppose
to negro suffrage, &c. But, Mr.. Editor, thin
express the whole of the above platform in
few words when I declare publicly that am
Democrat that I claim no other party; that
was born one in the proud and glorious old Stat
of South Carolina; that nave ever been
Democrat; that have lived one, and intend
die one, lot the consequences be what may.
In conclusions, Mr.. Editor, will say that
have never sought Office at the hands of the Rad
| cal Party, and that abhor the man that is 8
lost to shame, and go forgctful of his own race q
to affiliate with such party.s"I would rather
toad and live on the vapors of a dungeon"
"Oh is there not some chosen curse,
Some hidden thunder in the store of Heaven,
Red with uncommon wrath, to blast the wretch,
who would sacrifice the prido of o South Carol
nian, the honor of white man, and the bait
won.o Of fame, bought by such men as Rober.
Lee and our own gallant and chivalrous Wac
Hampton as our leaders.
Being unwilling that SO false a slander shoul
be perpetrated upon me, I have sought the co
umns of your paper to vindicate myself and r.
flute so bpse.a SANDER. Hoping then, Mr.. EditO
that this may be sufficient to remove SO erroneo'
and false impression, from the minds of my fo
lOw-citzens,
il Ircmain your obedient Servant.
r. W. CANNON.