The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1872-05-23
For the anderson Mteliqenccr.
BELToN, S. c., 18th May, 1877

BELToN, S. c., 18th May, 1872.
Mr.. HoYT: In your issue Of the 9th instant,
you gazette the introduction of the "Indepen-
dent Order of Uuited Brethren" into Anderson
County, and publish my name as connected
Herewith. With no disposition to engage in
newspaper controversy, beg leave to say,
that recognizing to the fullest extent the vast
and fundamental changes wrought in our State
and Federal Constitutions, by the results OF the
late war, and accepting the equal civil and po-
litical rights of all American citizens, 1 am
free to say that am Republican; and that
am "A member of the Independent Order of
United Brethren-an organization sufficiently
powerful to "play an important part in the
coming campaign" both State and National.
You assume that it is The successor of the
Union League; of the latter body know
nothing, not being member; but do know
that many men belong to the Brotherhood"
who do not, and never did, belong to the
League.
You have published the object and obligation
of the Order, copied from its Constitution (;
both of which I affirm are correct word for
word; and I ask any candid man if any Gun
worthy ends" are set forth thereinf If not,
then none such are designed by the order. If
the Democratic party of this State in 1870,
when it laid aside its name and ancient princi-
Piles, and under the name of Reform, assimila-
ted the principles of the Republicans, meant
what it said, then do not see how it can OBJ
ject to the principles of the order, as copied by
YOU from the constitution. The Reformers de-
sired to reform the administration of the State
Government, and to put honest and reliable men
into office; they called to the colored men to
Join them, but they would not. AS Gov. Orr
predicted in his tt-Ransier letter, if any re-
forms were effected, they would have to ema-
nate from the Republican party itself. All at
tempts to seriously distract and divide the Re-
publican party in the coming campaign will
fail. All honest Republicans desire to put
honest and reliable Republicans into office
and the Brotherhood is one powerful means to
give direction to the power of the party to at
tain this result. So long as the Brotherhood
stands by its avowed objects, and strives in good
faith to accomplish them, will support and
defend it; when it fails in this, will as hon
estly renounce all connection with it.
am not aware that the "United Brethren
were instituted to promote the election of Gov
Scott, or of any other Republican, to office
nor do its members countenance the misfeasance
or malfeasance Of any Republican official any
more than you do that of any Democratic off,
cial. It's avowed principle is, capacity, honest,
and reliability, the test of fitness for position.
As to its being secret organization, it ha:
no more or greater secrets, than obtain in the
Executive Committees of all political organi
zations Feeling conscious of the purity o
my motives, and of the correctness of my prin
cipIes and policy, of their adaptation to pro
mote the interests and to secure the rights O.
all classes of our citizens, I can afford to en-
dure whatever obloquy unthinking and intolcr
ant partizans may endeavor to heap upon me
Although do not aspire to any Office within
the gift of the people, at the ensuing election
yet expect, if spared, to take part in the
campaign, and to vindicate myself and my
principles before the people of Anderson Coun
ty-a people for whom have twice periled al
and lost all, and whose honor and interests ]
have never betrayed, upon whatever arena
have stood up for them.
Very Respectfully,
WARREN D. WILKES.