The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-11

LII Ofuct properly W lllcel your cIIat-
lenge, especially rs to my personal
consistency. l must refer to the course
OF events III this state during the last
two years.
REVIEW OF LAST TWO YEARS.
I was nominated and elected in 1874
as the candidate Of the republic
can party, under pledges, both per-
sonal and party, to reform the abuses
which then existed. In my inaugu-
raj address I developed in de-
tail my plans Of reform-plans which
met the earnest approval OF theSener-
al public of the state without regard
TO party. That | pursued the course
there marked out earnestly and faith
: fully as Il claim which cannot be sue
cessfully or even plausibly disputed.
[ found q considerable part of my
own party opposed to my course, and
thus my fidelity to my pledges and to
the cause of reform, US ! understood it,
was put to severe and unexpected
tests. 1t is not cgotism but truth which
leads ME to affirm that [ bore those
tests in q n which commanded
the praise of the friends of reform
throughout the state. The press of
this state, the public utterances of its
leading citizens, every organ of pub
lie opinion, will furnish the proof of
this assertion. My record as governor
was deliberately reviewed in July last
by the Charleston Meas COurier-be-
yond comparison the ablcst, and, in n
normal condition Of affairs, the most
liberal, democratic newspaper in this
state or in the south-in Il series Of ed
itorial articles founded on official and
indisputable records.
RESULTS ACCOMPLISHED.
Two results accomplished by the re-
publican convention have now been
presented. First, my denomination
by more than u tw0-tlirds vote upon
the sole and distinct issue of my re-
form record +: second, the adoption by
the convention of a platform which
binds the republican party to reform
in general, and to reform in detail-a
platform which must meet the APPROX
al Of every ma who is familiar with
the present practical wants of the
state. ! now present these two results
as q complete rcfutation of your
charge of personal inconsistency on
my part in accepting my present posi-
ton OH the republican ticket, as we'll
as q vindication and proof of the de-
termination of the republican party 10
carry forward and complete the work
of reform. SO far as these'two results
are concerned, / do not know how my
policy and record as governor-which
d,as commanded, as l have shown, in
it's relations to reform, the cordial
praise and approval of almost every
man in your ~party-could have receiv-
ed a more signal or satisfactory en-
dorsement by my own party. Look
ing to these results my position is one
of complete, ~fairly-carned, honorable
triumph. 1t is far better than that-'it
is an ample and remarkable triumph
of the great cause Of governmental
reform in this state.
NOMINATION. OF MR.. ELLIOTT.
But there are expressions in your
communication which indicate that in
your view the alleged Inconsistency
and disllonor Of my present position
lie in my association upon the repuO-
lean ticket with certain other nohli-
Inces, and especially with Mr..
Elliott, the nominee for attorney
general. OF my associates up
on the state ticket, other than
Mr.. Elliott, / know Of no alleged
public cause of complaint or dissatis-
faction, except that two of them have
disapproved of my course as governor
on certain party grounds, while |
ought not to omit to add that III the
renonlina ton of Mr.. Cardozo as treas
urcr, a gentleman who has been my
conspicnous and devoted friend and
supporter in every feature Of my adj
ministration, the cause of reform has
achieved anothermost notabletriumph.
With reference to the nomination Of
Mr.. Elliott, I am charged with indi-
vidual inconsistency and want of fl
delity to reform because Mr.. Elliott
has opposed my course as governor III
some important features and wts siren
uously opposed to my denomination:
1t is true that Mr.. Elliott has differed
from me widely in some instances, and
particularly in respect to the election
of Whipper as circuit judge and my
refusal to sign his commission. If it
be inconsistent and dishonorable for
me to remain upon the ticket for this
cause I think | can point you to SINH
lar instances OF dishonor among those
who still command your support.
DEMOCRATIC "DlSIIONOK."
Governor Tilden was nominated by
the democratic party rs q protested
hard money candidate on u protested
hard money platform. He is associa-
ted on the sam ticket with Governor
Hendricks, his most prominent oppo-
nent for the nomination Of president,
and the leading champion of soft mon
ey and imitation. No more pronoun-
| ccd anlagOnism of views upon the
leading political issue, prior to their
! nominations, could have existed yet
We now sec Governor ildcn and Gov
ernor Hendricks adjusting themselves,
! with Il skill and success greatly salts
factory to your party at least, upon the
same ticket and the same platform,
ana | hear no charge of inconsistency
or dishonor against Governor Tilucn
from the democratic party.
But | do not choose to answer your
charge with this ret0rt alone. While
it is true-and 1 think it due to my
self to state the fact that did not APP
prove of or aid in or consent to the
nomination of Mr.. Elliott, it is also
true that Mr.. Elliott, ut the time of his
nomination and since, has declared his
full and cordial acceptance of the work
of the convention in rcnominating me
and in adopting the platform Which
pledges the party and its nominees to
thorough and specific reforms. The
causes of his nomination were not his
opposition to me or to reform, but his
admitted ability for the position, his
long record Of political service to his
party and 4 desire, as in the case OF
Governor Hendricks, to conciliate an
! element of the party which had been
defeated in my denomination. ! am
Therefore, i'll ~ sense compromised or
d%isllonored in my character as Il refor-
mcr by my association upon the am
ticket with Mr.. Elliott. On the con-
trary, l am entitled to all the conf
dence ever bestowed upon ME in that
respect, so far as my individual or per
soMal position is concerned, and | am
entitled to all the increase Of conf
dcnce which comes from my success
in bringing my W party to endorse
me and the entire policy Of reform
which / have inaugurated and carried
on, and the consequent increase of my
ability to serve that cause
Whenever you or others present the
record of my denunciations Of past
wrongs done 10y the republican party
in this state, you present that portion
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