The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-10-13
"Regenerate" In Infant Baptism.
& Personal EXPLANATION i,
L'eutenant-Governor Ranster Reptile.
to the Washington Chronicle.
CHARLESTON, S. c., October 9, 1871.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.


TO THE EDITOR OF THE NEWS.
SIR-A friend of mine now in Washington
has sent me copies of the Washington Chron-
icle, of the 5th and 9Th iustants, containing
severe criticisms, editorial and otherwise, on
the action of the Republican State Central
Committee of this State, at its recent meeting
at Columbia, and anything but complimentary
notices of Its chairman.
Now, so far as am concerned as an indl-
vidual, care not what the Chronicle might
say derogatory of me-my conduct as an
officer of the party Is A. subject OF discus
sion; but when the Chronicle seeks, at least
80 far as portion of Its editorial staff is ~
cerned, to make capital in certain directions,
and to carry out Its purposes by abusing and
vlllilyDg me because | happen not to agree
with it on certain questions as to men and
measures, and to assure the administration at
Washington that we are pack OF ignoramuses
and scoundrels, and that no significance or
importance whatsoever Is 10 be attached to
the voice or action of the State committee,
though they may plead ever go much in the
Interest OF the life OF the party as well as that
of the individual members of it, and In the in
terest of outrages liberty aud law, then 1t be-
comes my duty to speak.
The Chronicle says "such man as Llenten-
ant Governor Ransier Is totally unfit to be
chairman of ward committee, much less Of
the State commit ee," &C.; and speaking OF
| the committee and the party In general, 1t
says, land so of dozens Of others having no
brains, no education, and less than no charac-
ter;n and volunteers the following advice:
that "the committee attend to It's business,
and as first step in that direction, let 1t uuz-
| zle Its chairman
Now, we are told that the editorial staff Of
the Chronicle consists of that staunch and per-
secuted loralist, Ex-Governor Holden, OF
North Carolina; Mr.. J. NJ. Morris. (Mr. Morris
being chief edtor,) and Mr.. Myron Fox. II
this be 80, how could these latter gentlemen
allow such complimentary illusions to myself
to creep into the editorial columns of their
paper, the Chronicle, when just after my NOM
ination as candidate for Lieutenant Cover
nor OF this State. when conducting the Daily
Republican, which did yoemau service for us
as party, referring 10 myself, they said
editorlally:
Hon. A. J. Rausier was nominated for Lieu
tenant Governor by acclamation unanimously,
and with great and prolonged applause. He
Is acknowledged even by opponents to be a
just, honorable and capable man. Whatever
charges of corruption are tossed to and fro,
no man or newspaper has yet put one on him.
The Reformers boast of their candidate for
Leutenant-G Governor as gentleman OF the
first order. BY his eide we place our candi-
date, and challenge comparison In any and
every attribute of manhood.
With one heart and one voice the Republican
party enters on this campaign, to which there
must be no end but victory
If was "just, honorable and capable then,
am any the less so now?
was chairman OF The State committee, too,
then, having served two years previous to the
time the above was written, and no one knew
this better than the two gentlemen referred
to. Has this ignorance and want OF character
overtaken me since then? If 80, l demand
the proof; or am I to be muzz!ed because
dare utter my opinions and differ from the
Chronicle. No! The Washington Chronicle,
whatever Its influence or ability, cannot
"muzzle" me, the Stale committee, nor the
Republican party of this State, because 1t
makes certain demands of the administration
in the interest OF its very existence. The OBJ
ject OF these editorial notices In question,
written just at this particular time, Is well un-
derstood. even by the most ignorant here, If
not in Washington. Cannot the Chronicle ell
feet Its object, viz. to break down what
ever of confidence the administration may
have in the party here or its leaders,
and thereby checkmate them in what
ever they may attempt. without the ad-
vice and consent of the Chronicle, with
out resorting 10 low and vulgar abuse.
The writer of these effuslons, however, Is VIII
ting at a comparatively safe distance; let him
90 on. Oae thing is most certain, the Chronl'
Gle cannot aid the party here In closing up lis
ranks and securing the electoral votes OF the
State for the Republican party of the country
in the campaign of 1872 by these low, vulgar
and unwarranfable attacks upon individual
members of it, and By venting Its spleen and
dragging into every question of South Caro-
lima politics old feuds and Individual issues
which should have been settled long since; nor
can it, or anybody else, "muzzle" the chalr-
man of the committee referred to, except by
brute force. He will not down at the bidding
of the Chronicle or any one else. He demands
fair play. and both as man and an officer of
the marty, invite examination, investigation
or criticism of his acts and dongs, provided
il ,s confined within decent and legitimate
limits. He knows his rights, and knowing.
dare defend them whenever attacked, though
the attacking party be the Washington Chroni-
Gle.
He will never suffer himself to be kicked
with impunity and then turn around and lick
the boot that inflicted the blow.
In conclusion, permit me to assure the
writer of the criticisms in question and others
nearer home, knowing their fears and the
secret of their studied onslaught on me just
now, whatever their pre:ensions. that am
not a candidate for any political office, nor is
II at all likely that shall accept, or putmyself