The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-08-13

really its property, its intelligence and its
character. And these two powers will never
understand each other until we have at Wash
iueton lust such complete and honest rcpresen-
tation as we are entitled to in fair election.
| And it is the interest of the National Rcpubll-
can party and of the whole country, no less
than ours, that this should be secured
End | have no war to make upon Gen.
Grants administration. | do not know Gen.
Grant. have not been in Washington since
he has been President But [ know this, that
between you and the National policy Of Gen.
Grant, foreign or domestic, there IS not SID,
gle issue to make you enemies. So absorbed
have we been in our own miserable condition,
that most of those issues have passed us entire
" disregarded, and upon none of them is there
room for more than an amicable and honest
difference of public opinion. The difficulty
between Gen. Grant and yourselves is precisely
the difficulty between the State and the Ma
tional Republican party. A corrupt oligarchy,
who have got possession of the offices of the
State. and who, so far, have successfully held
control of the mass Of ignorant voters who
compose the majority, have interposed between
you and him. He is never allowed to hear the
truth. Private whisperings and public misrep-
resentation, color and distort every fact before
it reaches him. And 1 can we'll understand
how, with the best intentions, an ovefburdened
President is forced to rely on official represen-
tation, which, under our political system, are
almost authoritative. Our official representa-
tion 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
ballot-box at home, closes the door of the
White House to you at the Capital. Your po-
sition towards the administration ought to be
one not Of pronounced antagonism, but OF per-
feet independence. Whoever represents you
ought to be free to give to Gen. Grants ad-
ministration cordial support when he believes
it right, and temperate and respectful oppo-
sition when he believes it wrong. As said
before, the political issues which are coming
are not tinctured with the bitterness Of the
mast. and should be dealt with on their own
merits. 1t is, of course, desirable that the Pres
ident should feel and manifest a kinder SYM
nathy with the distressed condition of the
State and that he should be disabused ofthe i'm
pressions so persstently and maliciously made,
that there is an incurable personal hostility to
him among the people of this State. But this
Won never can accomplish unless you can Sc
cure a fitting representation in Washington.
3rd. Lastly, l refuse to acknowledge the Re-
publican party, as it calls itself, of South Caro-
lima. az the representative either of the people
of the State or of the Republican party of the
Nation. 1t is simply the government of a
compact and adroit close corporation of office
holders. l do not propose to denounce them.
Abuse is in my opinion a very inefficient
weapon. and besides, if wished, 1 could find
no language of such vehement denunciation as
the terms in which they speak of each other.
!, IF their present differences continue, we shall
soon know what they are from themselves. |
shall leave them to write each others epltaphs:
But the result of their government, confessed
by themselves and open to the world, is before
us. The industry of the State paralyzed, lis
credit destroyed, its people demoralized, its
character degraded. With all this we have
had nothing to do. We have been exclud
from power or place, and our only privilege
has been to endure. Opposition to them is
neither opposition to the interests OF the people
of the State, nor to the Federal Admlnlstra'
tion, nor to the National party which controls
the Government, but simply the duty of all
men who believe that honesty and decency are
the necessary accompanyments OF well or
dcred government l believe that there are
N'A'SN
disguised at its reckless and ruinous policy
but as yet they have given no evidence OF
either their power or resolution to reform it..
And surely no sincere and substantial reform
can be inauguraled by the deliberate and fraud
ulent violation of the law in creating the Con-
gressional District, or by forcing upon us CAN
didates chosen for past services in the disgrace
full history of the party, and who neither share
our interests, reflect our opinions nor represent
our character.
believe that it is in your power by, vigo-
rous and united effort to begin the deliverance
of the State Even if defeated DOW, you can
prepare the way for future and certain success.
it may very possibly be that am not the most
fitting man to attempt to lead you. II, after
the movement is commenced, you can find
better leader take him, and | will be content
to follow. In the meantime, l shall name as
soon as possible the times and places where
will address you, and I 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.
Huslemood, near Pendicton, lag. 10, 1874.