The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-09-16
COLUMBIA G.. WEDNESDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER 1e 1874

tantions and disorders. Atsuch mo.
mept, your summons to public duty
reached me. Must not be possessed
of most overweening confidence, if I
did not feel that all my ability and all
my zeal for the public welfare might
prove too weak to overcome these diff
culties, and to 0utride the storms
which seem to be gathering along our
political and social horizon? Nothing
but the strength OF an honest purpose
and the confidence which I feel that
snail receive the steady aud vigorous
support of all the best men Of my
party. as we'll as the moral support OF
all good citizens in the, course which I
shall pursue, could tempt me to ven
ture upon the great duties which lie
before me.
Gentlemen, the title which will be-
long to me when the suffrages of the
people shall have confirmed your work
tonight, will beithat of Governor of
South Carolina. Although the candi-
date of the Republican party, and
bound, as shall ever feel myself to
be, to the strictest fidelity to that
party in oil Legitimate party interests,
1 shall hope never to forget that am
Governor, not OF party, but Of II
whole State. It is the right of every
citizen of South Carolina to have an
honest administration Of public affairs.
No political opposition can ever Justify
us in refusing to any citizen of South
Carolina, OF VIII ,tever race or purity,
the right to an honest expenditure Of
public funds, and au impartial ulmi.
nistration OF impartial laws.
1t is not my province to mark out
specifically the platform of principles
and policy upon which we shall enter
the coming campaign; bnt I cannot
forbear to now suy to you that no plat
form which does not commit ms ire
vocably and solemniy to the duty of
reducing public expenditures to their
lowest limit, OF administering the pub
lie funds honestly in the public inte-
rest, of electiDg competent public Of
ficers, OF filling the local Offices of our
Counties and townships with honest
and faithful incumbents, Of guarding
our language and our action so as to
allay rather than rekindle the fumes
of past controversies, of directing the
attention of our fellow citizens to the
hopes of the future rather than to the
memories Of the past, can bring to us
party success or political honor. 7
propose for myself, while insisting TINT
our political supremacy entities us to
the exclusive administration of public
affairs in this State, to remember with
equal fidelity that our principles and
our duty bind us to the higher obliga-
ton of administering all our public
trusts solely for the public good. #
we shall do this, then our children and
our children's children, here in South
Carolina, will bo permitted to WELD,
without interruption or dispute, the
political power which is ours to-day.
If we fail to do this, the days of our
polical supremacy will quickly be num-
bered.
Gentlemen, there is one other matter
upon which must say one word. No
man in the Office of Governor of this
State can redeem the reputation of
our party and restore good govern
ment to our State, unless the Icgisla.
tive department of our government
shall be in the hands Of honest, intel
ligent and patriotic men. That duty
you are hereafter to discharge. And
l warn you tonight, that your plat
forms will be empty words. your nomi.
nations will bring no honor to your
party. and your political success will
be less than worthless. unless you
place behind your candidate for Go.
vernon the evidence of your wisdom
and truth in the nomination aud cleo.
tlon OF your best citizens for members
Of the Legislature. Do that, fellow
citizens; put beneath my feet plat
form whose voice shall be for honest
government and genuine reform; asso.
ciate with me III the various public
Offices men Of integrity und intelli-
gence; above all, fill your legislative
halls with ability and integrity; and
then l pledge you. under Gods good
providence and guidance, to the extent
Of my humble abilities, to bear aloft
the banner of your party, through the
coming sun. shine or storm, high
above all danger of defeat or dishonor.
Again. Mr.. President and gentle
men, renew my thanks. I pledge
myself, and l summon yon, Que and
all, to the faithful and honorable dis
charge Of the great duties which lie
before us. Success and duty lie in the
same path-the path of honesty, of
economy and of fidelity in the udml-
nistration of all our public trusts.
= ball was given by tha people Of
Panama, on the evening of the Sd in
slant. at the Government Palace, to