The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-10-05
To tsac Fnblie.

nhs IADICOBs A6 0ul u Couuiu0to 4oI
the State Senate. wish TO place myself
in proper light befora the public. Az
q great deal has been said for and against
me, and as there is much misunderstand
ing concerning my true positioi,II I would
simply state here, for the satisfaction of
all parties concerned, that when was
solicited by many of my friends to con.
sent to allow my name to be used as q
candidate for the State Senate, I refused,
wishing to have nothing to do with poll
tios. But after considerable Thought
and reflection over the matter, T said to
my friends, as there ia only one ticket in
the Held, and Thought there could
hardly be an election without opposition,
1 consented to run with $his proviso,
that if o third ticket should come out, I
would decline running, as thought it
useless for three tickets to be in the field.
Much fear has been entertained upon
that point; but in view of the recent an
nouncement in the Phenin that there
will be no other nominations, except the
two already in the field, and that the
voters of this County have concluded to
make up their selection from the two
tickets now before the public, I haze
concluded to run the race to the end of The
track, though our ticket seems to be a
very Objectionable one, simply because
many Of the whites have said they would
vote for it. Now, sir, I consider every
man in Riohland free man, and having
right to cast his vote wherever he
pleases. Furthermore, when our ticket
was made up, it was made up by Repub-
licans-neither Reformer nor Democrat
persuaded us or advised US at oil about
it. After orr names appeared in the pa
per. several white gentlemen spoke to us,
snying that they liked the ticket and
would support it; many others said they
would make up their ticket from the two
in the field. Not one asked me to change
my principles as Republican, nor even
limited such thing. And it is the ia
vorable remarks of those gentlemen con-
cerning the ticket that has caused us to
be denounced as being traitors and try
ing to steal the liberties of the people.
The fifteenth amendment, hold, gives
every ono in South Carolina his liberty
and his right to express through the
ballot-box whom he will have to make
the laws by which he is to be governed,
as we'll as the right to express his politi-
cal opinions. Now, sir, as q candidate,
I propose to fight this thing fairly and
squarely with my opponents, and to have
no personal or ill feeling against any
man; and if they beat me fairly, am
still willing to give them my hand in O
friendly spirit. There are class of men
whom I look upon as gentlemen, espe-
cially those who are seeking Office lat
least they should be), and another class
whom I look upon rs blackGuards, that
are beneath my notice. It has been said
that do not attend public meetings.
The reason is @ simple one. Ihavc never
been properly invited to them. I am
not afraid to speak my opinion my
where, and that's the great principle we
are fighting for now, and not Offices.
They also sayI am in sympathy with
the Reformers. simply because I talk to
them. do not expect ever to have my
mouth again closed. expect to speak
to every man, let him be Republican or
not; and I expect to get all the votes I
can. as know the opposing candidates
will do the same. If they do not, am
not to blame. These are my principles,
and any man who does not choose to
vote for me on such grounds, and thinks
[ I'm trying to deceive, why, of course,
let him exercise free mans right and
do as he pleases. shall be satisfied.
DAVID PICKETT.
MR. EDITOR: The Union Reform