The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1874-10-22
ADDRESS OF GEN. MCGOWAN

ADDRESS on the SITUATION ana ltS reHeules Wy
Gen. Samuel MCGOWAN, of Abbeville, the
Conservative nominee for Congress from the
Third District Hon. j. S. Murray was called
to the chair, and in few appropriate remarks,
stated the objects for which the meeting had
assembled, viz: That some three weeks ago
the Conservative Convention met at Newberry
for the purpose of nominating suitable can
didate to represent the people CT the Third
District in Congress. He said that the Con-
vention nominated Gen. MCGOWAN, of Able
Vile, gentleman of ability, integrity and
honesty, and one who had, in the civic and
military offices which he had held, always been
faithful to the trusts reposed in him. He then
introduced Gen. MCGOWAN, who arose and
said
Nv fellow-citizens of Anderson, this is
very novel position for me- since l am no poll
tician. have made no money from politics,
for my life has been spent at the bar; yet,
under the circumstances I mean to communi-
cate nv sentiments to you. did not seek the
position, neither did want 10 60 to Congress,
but since I have been nominated, I will, If
elected, endeavor to the best of my ability to
discharge my duty satisfactorily to all. For
fifteen consecutive years represented the good
old District of Abbeville in the State Legsla-
ture. Immediately after the war, you, the
citizens of the Third Congressional District,
elected me to Congress, AM l went, but was
denied seat in that body because we were not
reconstructed 1 have earned the bread for the
support of myself and family at the bar and
by the sweat of my brow concluded that it
was proper for me to accept the nomination TOR
Congress, and, if elected, shall certainly try
and do what is right, so help me heaven.
saw the parabola made by the first she'll OF the
war, fired from Fort Johnson, in Charleston
harbor, and heard the last gun fire at Apo
mattox. Those who have been faithful in the
past are the most likely to be true in the iu-
ture 1t would be much better for the whole
country that we should have our entire liberty,
and not be only partially freemen. We are
one in territory, in government, and in the
matter of taxes with other States, but not one
in the spirit of liberty, of right and of justice.
If the political reconstruction of the Southern
States had been left at the close of the war to
Gems. Lee and Grant, it would have been done
much better and more in spirit of right by
those great leaders. I do not like selfadula-
ton, therefore will not say more concerning
myself, but will refer you to my past acts, my
record and my character. was born on the
banks of the beautiful Saluda, on the Laurens
side, near Puckett's Ferry, and have toiled be-
tween the plow-handles, and worked up to
what am now. spent two years battling on
the plains of Mexico, and four years in the
late Civil War. 1t has been my utmost inten-
tion to keep up good fraternity and peace be-
tween the races for are we not one in territory
and in government? have never been ex-
treme, but have always advocated justice, peace
and good will to all men, What are the exc
gencies of the country at the present time
We are all poor, our taxes are increased. Our
rulers have made inventories of our kitchens,
our trundle beds and frying pans. They have
squeezed all the money out of us, like the juice
is squeezed from au orange, and have entailed
upon US millions of debt. And what has been
done with the money? No public use has
been made of it, no railroads built, no i'm
provements made Where then, is it gone but
into the pockets of band of robbers. 1t is
; bad enough to be poor, but still worse to know
that not one dollar of these taxes have been
used for good purposes No, it has been stol-
en-. Unless we get reform in this State gov
ernment we are ruined. In the lowest depths
there is deeper hell still, where, unless speedy
reform is made, we are destined to 60 down,
down like milestone. Self-preservation is
the first law of nature, then, let partyism be
done away with, and let it sink to rise no more,
and let us all band together to bring about
honesty, economy and reform in the State gov
ernment. Let our watch-word be honesty and
reform, and let the same be inscribed upon our
banners. AS all cry for reform now, how shall
we decide? 1t is very easy to make profes-
sions-professions however, are but words, and
these words Wind. In order to escape after the
theft has been committed, one thief generally
cries stop the thief, and mingles with the crowd
in pursuit, just as if he were wholly innocent
This is the way with certain parties at this
period, who are camoring loudly for reform
No man in South Carolina ever made sweetel
or greater promises than did F. j. Moses, jr.
two years ago, and on these he was elected
Now, his own party has repudiated him, and
cast him out. We can see now to our sorrow
what splendid fruit these promises brought
forth If two parties make promises OF reform
and you really wish it, why trust new agents
rather than the old ones who brought upon you
distress and ruin. Employ new men to do your
business, and to carry out the principles o
honesty, economy and reform, for it is not good