The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-09-02


posed between you and him. He is
never allowed to hear the truth. Pri-
vate whisperings and public nisrepre-
scntation, color and distort every fact
before it reaches him. And can we'll
understand how, with the best inten-
tions, all overburdened President is
forced to rely on official representation,
which, under our political system, are
almost authoritative. Our official repre-
scntation in Washington is but part of
the same machinery by which the State
is governed. Senators and members are
made by the same power which makes
venal members of the Legislature and
defaulting County Treasurers, and the
same influence which corrupts the bal
lot-box at home, closes the door of the
White House to you at the Capitol.
Your position towards the adminstra-
ton ought to be one not of pronounced
antagonism, but of perfect independ
ence. Whoever represents you ought
to be free to give to Gen. Grants adj
ministration cordial support when he
belives it right, and . temperate and
respectful opposition when he believes
it wrong. AS said before, the political
issues which are coming are not tine
tured with The bitterness of the past,
and should be dealt with OH their own
merits. 1t is. of course, desirable that
the President should feel and manifest
a kinder sympathy with the distressed
condition of the State, and that he
should be disabused of the impressions
so persstenuy and maliciously made,
that there is an incurable personal hos
tility to him among the people of this
State. But this you never can accom-
plish unless you can secure fitting
representation in Washington.
Sd. Lastly, refuse to acknowledge
the Republican party, as it calls itself,
of South Carolina, rs the representative
either of the people of the State or of
the Republican party of the Nation. 1t
is simply the government of compact
and adroit close corporation of office
holders. do not propose tn denounce
them. Abuse is in my opinion a very
inefficient weapon, and besides, If 1
wished, I could find find no language of
such vehement denunciation as the
terms in which they speak of each 9TH
er. If their present differences continue
we shall soon know what they are from
themselves. T shall leave them to write
each others epitaphs. But the result of
their government, confessed by them
selves and open to the world, is before
US. The industry of tho State paral-
wed, its credit destroyed, its people de-
moralized, its character degraded.
With all this we have had nothing to do.
We have been excluded from power or
place, and our only privilege has been
to endure Opposition to them is neith-
er opposition to the interests of the
people of the State, nor to the Federal
Administration, A nor to the National
party which controls the Government,
but simply the duty of all men who be-
lieve that honesty and decency are the
necessary accompanyments of well or
dered government. believe that there
are men in the party who are mortified
and disgusted at its reckless and ruinous
policy; but as yet they have given us
no evidence of either their power or
resolution to reform it. And surely no
sincere and substantial reform can be
inaugurated by the deliberate and fraud
ulent violation of the law in creating
the Congressional District, or by forcing
vices in the disgraceful history of the
party, and who neither share our inter-
ests, reflect our opinions, nor represent
our charactet.
I believe that it is in your power, by
vigorous and united effort to begin the
deliverance of the State. Even if de-
feated now, you can prepare the way
for future and certain success. 1t may
very possibly be that am not the most
fitting man to attempt to lead you. If,
after the movement is commenced, you
can find better leader, take him, and !
will he content to follow. In the mean
time, shall name as soon as possible
the times and places where I will ad
dress you, and L will be glad of the aid
and support of any, especially among
the young men of the Congressional
District, who may feel inclined to give
me their confidence and assistance.
WM. HENRY TRESCOT.
Hazlcwood, near Pendleton, August
10, 1874.