The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-05-14
VORD TO THE MAYOR.
To the Hon. G i1Jen PiAsbury, Mayor O
Charleston

Charleston:
S1e-Eleyation to position Of great public
trust and power, brings with it corresponding
responsibilities and tests Of conscience. The
ascent to power, in q republican country, is
sometimes sudden, but oftener tedious, difficult
and trying while the retirement, judging
from freshest examples, is an instantaneous
dive into utter oblivion. In your case, honor
able sir, you have learned the full lesson oi
sslabor and wait, and the matchless pertinacity,
zeal and pluck which have characterized you,
will not soon he forgotten in the community.
| You have gained the summit OF your ambition
and plucked the crown.
II the same excellent feature5-in themselves
| considered continue 10 inhere, see no rea
son why your head should not be easy, and
your reign memorable for its industry. patri-
otism, and unselfish devotion to the interests
of the citizens or Charleston. Your inaugural
had healthy ring. and resounded pleasantly
to many ears. Your declarations of unsefsh-
ness-if they we're sincere (and doubt not)-
gave you hearing in the presence OF the peo-
pie. Ihe lines Of policy which you indicated
with singular clearness, bade the community
hope for better times and good government.
The object Of this letter is not to charge you
with inslncerity, but to thank you for your
first utterances, and 70 assure you that the
citizens Of Charleston expect you to fight it
out on the several lines you we're pleased to
indicate IN your speech before the Council.
1t must be known to you, Sir, that the hatred
and wrath OF people form str niger obsta-
Gle than bayonets and cannon. That, when o
man, to gam foothold, makes promises to
the ear TO be broken to The hope," he can be
made, by the withsring blast Of popular indig-
patton to sink from sight among the gamin,
with whose haunts and Ways his cond let
speaks him familiar.
I believe you capable Of your highest decla-
rations, and l would encourage you to vindi-
cate this faith.
But will You do it? Can you work out your
announced plans with the Council you have
around you? Will it be possible for you to
MAINTAIN just and honorable position as the
chief officer OF the city, and yet fraternize and
be advised by those who have been made your
associatesP II so, you will win monument
of enduring fame. You will prove yourself
not only an incorruptible patriot but great
aud good man. The serpents are near; are
you the file on which their fangs will fail to
make impression?
Already, it is feared that you are yielding.
Your committees seem mutual greed society,
bent on personal profit, and held together by
the cohesive power Of public plunder.
Few there are who do not, it seems, d,mand
cfice and whose rapacious maws do not cape
passive STATE, dear sir, Is thought 10 be BARN.
less enough, but when it becomes blatant,
camorous, vlndictive and ambitious OF place
and power, it is the most dangerous thing, and
can do no more than destroy the peace Of the
community. 1t seems clear that Office and
gain are the I'M eresting things discussed and
grasped for by the majority Of your Council.
Utter incapabIlity, gross ignorance, reckless
conduct, and extravagant ideas Of power, will
soon involve us in deep and sorrowful dlstur-
Dances.
Men who have little or no care, exempt
from taxation because of poverty. free from
possessions because Of Idleness, and yindictive
towards their superiors because of social III
ca uality- when such men gam, by oil means,
power, they are only fllbus erlng nulsances-
preying upon the community tor indiscrimin-
ate plunder. That the working majority in
your Council are thus truthfully characterized,
no reasonable man will dspu e.; whilo you
yourself Sir, must be disgusted with everv ex-
hibition OF such schemes. What respect can
a large community feel for sucl legislators
How will they control and improve the vast
commercial and economical interests Of Charles
ton2
Who among them is capable Of conceivirg q
plain question, or preparing dignitied reso-
Iution3
Who OF the number has ever been honored
with trust, or having been, gave good &C.
count Of his stewardship?
Your position, good sir, is q hard one, and
viewed from the standpoint of your inaue eural,
appeals to the Indulgent and forbearlpg C M
munlty for sympathy and support.
That confidence aud sympathy you can secure
by an independent administration of pubic
affairs. By retaining competent officers in
their places, and filing vacancies with persons
who are honorably identified with the city and
State. By institutng economical reforms an d
discountenancingi idleness and Furnishing crime.
By consulting lar ely the interests OF the whole
people, and not acting upon the representa-
tons Of o Council representing no constit-
uency. In short, Sir, by carrying out your
dress which inspired public confidence and
etlffened the financial back. We are prepared
to respect your virtues; let them be exhibited;
"Honor's good brooch to wear in mans hat
at all times"
am, Sir, &C., JUNIUs.