The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-04-19
Letter from Hon. w. w. Harllee.
MARION G. H., April

Letter from Hon. w. w. Harllee.
MARION G. H., April IL, 1877.
Editors hteliigencer, anderson S. c.:
GENTLEMEN-Your esteemed favor of
the 7th inst, asking my views as to the
matters referred to has been duly re-
ceived.
First. AS to President Hayes Southern
policy, &c. The principles announced
by President Hayes in his inaugural, if
practically carried out in his administra-
tion, in relation to the Southern States is
simply one of non-intervention by the
Federal government in the local affairs
of the States, by military interference or
otherwise, Ia in my judgment the true
constitutional doctrine, as it strikes me
all that the most scrupulous State Rights
man could demand, and for one will meet
my hearty endorsement. 1t is certainly
all we could have demanded of Mr..
Greeley or Mr.. Tilden if they had been
elected, and as much rs we in South
recognizes the equality of all the States
Of the Union and their right to settle all
local questions according to their laws
and constitutions.
Second. You ask my views as to the
seeking or accepting Office by our people.
If we are part of the government and
equal in the Union, I can see no reason
Why ne should not participate il its ad-
vr1in tyfp Fn - I.>
have the effect of putting all the Federal
Republican partisans or of strangers,
not more efficiently promoted by our own
citizens. But do not think any such
positions should be sought or accepted
party or any 1 their measures further
would require. To accept Office from
any political party implies that while in
office the laws as construed by the gov
eminent shall be faithfully obeyed and
executed. When this duty cannot be
conscientiously performed no honest man,
I think, would consent to hold it any
longer. ''To the victor belong the spoils"
is remark attributed to q prominent
practiced until it has almost become a
political axiom, and I think is as mis-
ch;e7nns in practice as it is wrong in
theory. It is neither more or less than q
wholesale prescription of portion of the
citizens from the participation of the
administration of the government, unless
they agree in politics with the dominant
party, thus excluding merit, experience
and qualification, and substituting there
for paFtiSans often of no character, and
who work and prostitute their positions
to all kinds of political trickery, corrup-
tion, bribery and fraud to insure their
reten ton in Office. The melancholy eyi-
dences of this fact are too patent in the
recent and former elections to require
proof or comment.
Third. What will probably be the re-
suit upon the destiny OF The two national
parties from this change of policy of the
Republican party?
1t is now too early, in my Judgment. to
anticipate the result of this change of
policy. Much will depend upoa the good
faith and manner in wkiGhL,ne policy
will be carried out. If the policy indi-
Gated should result in giving us O good
government in the faithful execution of
the laws, the reform in the civil service
promised in the expulsion from Office of
corrupt and incompetent officials and the
substitution of honest. capable and faith
ful officers, just legislation in imposing
the necessary taxes TO support the gov
ernment, ana a SOUND fipanciaI policy, il
Is all that we of South Carolina have
heretofore demanded, or which any have
q just right to claim; and, practically, it
matters little to US Of the South by what
party agency these benefits are secured.
Measures not men" should be our motto.
If we hope to prosper. The strifes and
sacrifices of the last fifteen years, entsiled
by misrula, have exhausted our resources
and impoverished our people, and what
Wa now require Is the opportunity through
wholesome laws 20 recuperate and to re-
store our lost prosperity, which we can
do If let alone. To accomplish this we
must by every just and patriotic means
harnOniZe all Of the necessary elements
to the successful prosecution and develop.
| ment of our industrial pursuits. This
we cannot reasonably hope for under the
continued disturbance and excitement
engendered by and and attendant upon
political and party strife. 1890 -
The triumph Of cur last election in
securing Gov. Hampton, our State ticket
and large portion of the Legislature
when fully effcc,;.xl i'd realized, is the
dawning of o brignver day for us all, and
its effects are already, being felt in the
exhibition OF confidence i6 our public
securities, which will ere long extend "a
! ais olia material resources, au confidence
will continue to ripen In the stable, faith.
fnl and just administration of our State
government. To the Democratic party
of tho Union, With which we have battled
in common, we owo much for the prom.
ised blessings which I believe are before
us. But it Is to the principle embodied in
their creed 3 III their prac
tice we are indebted and not the mamie
The names of parties and party associa
tons have changed and varied in the last
thirty years like the winds and the sea.
sons, but it is to principle at last wc owe
the present partial redemption and re.
generation of the government, aud it Il
needless for mo to aay that under what.
ever name good government is admins.
tered, the principles we have heretofore
protested and practiced will be the same
Time alene can develop the fruits q
what is indicated, and until we have iht
| evidence of ita ftflfillnnenk wa abn,,ld mi