The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-11-13

The Address.
FeNo,r- Citizens of CHdrlestOn-You do me
great honor in calling me before you tonight
by this demonstration. [ accept it and value
it as an evidence that, as a public officer,
have done some things which have met your
approval. ] rejoice to meet my fellow citizens
Of Charleston, and to pay my respects as it
were, to the chief city of our State. This city
has great stake in the welfare of the State
her Influence upon all our public interests is
commanding, and her pre-eminence is the
lust result OF the Intelligence, enterprise and
hberality of her citizens. 1t is special
pleasure, therefore, to re, to feel to ght that
I have the confidence of the people of Char
lesion in my efforts to do my duty as pub
lie officer. 1t is result which have right
TO believe comes from your actual observation
Of my public conduct, for do not forget that
did not have the honor of receiving MAJ
jority of the votes of this city one year ago.
But have never imagined that was elected
to be the servant or agent of my friends alone.
or to be the servant or agent OF any political
party alone Holding my present office IS
simply trust, have constantly endeavored
to keep in mind that that trust was to be held
and administered for the benefit of all our
people, without regard to race or party.
THE DUTY OF POLITICAL PARTIES.
The only just basis for a political party is q
certain view of the manner in which the pow
ers of the government should be exercised,
the PRINCIPLES and methods by which public
aft .irs should be conducted. 1t is not pc Ier
or off ,e merely which party should seek
but power and Office must be sought as the
means and opportunity of increasing the
purity, the efficiency, the benefcence of the
government. Holding such views, | con-
ceive that the ust bounds of party obligation
are greatly transcende1 whenever public Office
is used to promote personal or party ends to
the neglect of the best interests of the whole
people. [Cheers]
NO SLAVE TO PARTY.
I do not wish to disguise the fact that
among the circumstances which have given
some significance to my administration, has
been my refusal to be slave to the demands
of party. In the course have pursued in
this respect, have simply done an unques-
toned duty. / never pr Jmised, and l was
never asked to promise, and l never would
have promised, that l would approve meas
ure or make an appointment which l could
not justify on its merits. And, let me add, if
had done so, should have struck the deep
est possible blow at the strength and perma-
nency of the party which elected me.
No. fellow-citizens, | have been intrusted
with the great office of Governor of this State,
and, with many errors of judgment, no
doubt, with many shortcomings of ability, l
know, | have, nevertheless, honestly labored
to do that which would best promote the
common welfare of all the people. If any
act done in the pursuit of such an aim has
hurt my political party, then ali | can say is
that the party deserves to be hurt. l Offer no
apology for putting the public welfare above
all other considerations in my official action.
should owe an apology if had done other
wise. prolonged cheering.
GOOD GOVERNMENT BETTER THAN PARTY POWER.
l rejoice to be able to add, that. in my
judgment, the day is past in So7th Carolina,
never to return, when good will be rejected or
wrong accepted. because done in the name of
any party. Here, as elsewhere, throughout
our country, men are more and more subor-
dinating party interests to public interests
more and more regarding good government as
an infinitely better thing than party power;
more and more perceiving that, 10 the long
run, that party will prevail which keeps most
steadily in view the faithful and impartial