The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-07-20
LETTER FROM W. D. WILKES, ESQ.

We give below a private letter from
Warren D. Wilkes, Esq, announcing his
determination to support Tilden and
Hendricks in the next election. Mr..
Wilkes was member of the recent Re-
publican State Convention, which elected
delegates to Cincinnati, and rightly per-
ceives that the nomination of Hayes and
Wheeler does not promise reform of past
abuses, but will perpetuate the control
of the government in the hands of the
men whose management has already
brought disgrace upon the nation. The
letter is addressed to the senior editor of
this paper:
BELroN, S. c., July 19, 1876.
DEAR STR write to congratulate you
upon the patriotic work of the St. Louis
Convention, of which I believe you were
a member. While the platform put
forth at Cincinnati is artfully evasive of
every vital issue before the American
people; wickedly false in its illusions to
the position of Southern men upon the
issues settled by the late war, and in at
tempting to again waive the bloody shirt,
stabs the peace of the nation, and insults
the citizens of ten States; its candidates,
however honest they may be, are mere
negative characters-pliant dummys to
play the role prescribed for them by
Blaine, Morton, Cameron & Co. What
that role is and would be, the revelations
made by Investigations in the present
House of Representatives make evident.
In strong contrast, the St. Louis plat
form meets every issue fairly, and with
force of statement, honesty of purpose,
and breadth of brotherly feeling, which
calls up the utterances of the grand men
of thirty years ago. And then, too,
Tilden and Hendricks are statesmen in
the highest sense, free from prejudice
and passion, and give in their characters,
acts and utterances, an undeniable guar
antee of honesty and reform in all de-
partments of the government. They are
stronger than party, and will draw to
their support the true men of all parties,
and such men as Schurz and Adams,
who are of no party. I have not cast a
vote for President since the war, but will
cordially advocate and vote for Tilden
and Hendricks. I belong to no Club of
any party; have never been controlled
by party behests in voting; hence, vot-
ing for the best men without reference to
party, have never voted party ticket.
Being no candidate for Office, and not
expecting to be, I shall cheerfully vote
for such men for State and County offices,
without reference to party, as are un-
doubtedly honest and competent. Hon
esty and reform are the only issues in
this State-they are vital issues and can
not be adjourned-and the signs are that
all true men, of every party afiliation,
and no party, will act as unit. am
morally certain there will be no opposi-
ton ticket, openly or secretly, in this
County for members of the Legislature
or County Offices. If the colored people
do not vote for the Democratic candi-
dates, I do not think they will vote at
all; and probably pursue the same course
with reference to State ticket.
I shall probably ask the use of your
columns to discuss few measures of
practical reform in the State government,
about which I have reflected for some
time. If my health, which is very poor,
will permit me to write them, they will
be short and pointed.
Excuse this intrusion, and believe me
your obedient servant,
JULDDEN n WTIRES