The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-03
Hon. B. II. Hill.
A Calm View Of the Situation-He
Explains his POsition-Sensutlon-
al Stories Dcnicd-Our Sys.
tenn on a Magazine Of
pcWder-Thc Attitude


rcwder-Thc Attitude
Of Parties.
From the Atlanta GA constitutional
House or REPRESENTATIVES,, |
WASHINGTON, ID. g., Dec. p, 1876. !
My DEAR SIR trust you will be-
licvc me when | assure you that your
letter is esteemed az worthy to come
from one who has been life long
friend" az you truly style yourself.
Every mail is bringing me letters
from every section of the Union, and
those from the South disclose a pan
ic" among my friends which is most
remarkable.
l will not pretend that I am insensi-
bic to the effect which may be produc'
ed on my personal political fortunes,
but l do say my personal solicitude is
excited by far different, and, l will
add, by far higher considerations.
If the equation of O public man
can be furnished by agencies so tri1ing
and SO false US those now ut work then
there can he little encouragement for
unseltish patriotism. .
] do not pretend that I have served
or can serve my country with ability,
but | can say that / have given, and
am now giving under the most embar-
RAISING disadvantages, to that country
the very best abilities l possess.
soUIEs FROM WASHINGTON.
Under the scverest trials I have
made a record of fearless fidelity in
defence of Southern civilization and
manhood and of unflinching adher-
ence to constitutional government
which no MAJ u deny. But what is
all this worth if it can have no effect
in protecting me from Irresponsible
squibs from Washington city, some of
which, at least, are inspired and many
encouraged by the most unworthy mo-
tives possible? If such squi6s,
whether thoughtless or designing, can
throw friends into a panic and encour-
age enemies TO refresh their malignity
with the stcreotyped slang, II always
told you he was not reliable !" then
our free institutions and popular gov
eminent have arrived at a period
where a public man car have no pro-
lection save in the nothingness of his
%imhecility or the callOusuess of his
corruption. He is safe alone when he
docs nothing that fools can criticise or
does only what h%irelings will puff for
q consideration.
Now, sir, l do not believe the people
of Georgia have arrived at this point,
and I shall do them the justice to say
that I have not the slightest fear that
they will allow themselves to he made
parties to the wrongs which some arc
now plotting against me. On the con
trary, l do not doubt that when they
know tho truth, as they will know it,
they will approve me with cheerful
ness and unanimity; and, in the
meantime, they will not withdraw
that confidence and trust without
which L will be powerlcss to serve
either them or myself.
WHAT THE SENATOR HAS DONE.
What have 1 done or said that
"frieuds should be alarmed and ne
mics encouraged" rs numerous let
tcrs say? Without going into details
Ws | will not be cowardly enough now
to do,) I will state some facts.
|. Since the assembling of this SEES
sion of Congress the democratic men,
bers of the House have met three
times in general caucus, and that mo-
ton was adopted unanimously.
There WAS not a dissenting voice
not Quo. / accompanied that motion
with d short Speech, the temper and
spirit Of which every man in the eau
Gus approved, and the main point
which was warmly agreed to by 81
large majority, including, l believe, ev-
cry member Of the Southern or klate
Confederate States, and certainly ev-
cry one present from Georgia.
SENSATIONAL STORIES DENIED.
This is my work. What am l
/. It is said that I have expressed
distrust of northern democrats, and
speeches to this effect are filling the
papcrs as if made by ME. Not q sim
gle word published on this subject is
truc-not one.
=. 1t is said that myself and other
Southern men have lost faith in the
election of Mr.. Tilden, and have
made, or are making or are willing to
make, some bargain or trade or ar
rangelnent with MIR. Hayes. All init
nations of this kind are simply man.
| Observation-Disclosures by sensa-
lional hirelings for republican use and
benefit. MIR. Tilden and the demo-
cratic party are reduced to q sad hope
of success if the silly or designing
democrats who affect to believe such
charges are to he accepted as the ouly
trusted advisers Of the party.
1t might be interesting to give you
an explanation of how easily q public
man here may be misreprcsented by
news gossips and interviewers, and es-
pecially if he be q public man who is
worth misrepresenting, but have not
the time TO dos now.
THB POLITICAL SITUATION.
A few words in conclusion. The
political situation was never 80 critical
as now. Our constitutional system is
on q magazine Of powder, and 10000
fools and some that are not fools are
striking matches all around it.
None but cool mel and patriots who
love country more than Office can
avert the most horrible civil war that
ever disgraced and destroyed liberty
and humanity. And yet there WAS
never less excuse for any war in the
history of the world.
Such a war, if it come, will be the
elimination Of human crime in the
dastardly destruction OF human rights
by q disgraceful scramble for office.
In Tie late election both Mr.. Tilden
and Mr.. Hayes received some votes.
viii it not be better to have either for
President than to have a ruler who re-
ceived no votes? He is too stupid for
argument who does not see that the
last alternative is possible. But who
ever may or may not DO mage Prcsi-
dent by returning boards or bayonets,
one thing is certain Mr.. Tilden cam
not and will not be made President
unless he is made so by a fair, honest
count of the votes Of the people.
That count can he neither fair nor
honest unless it be had under inter-
pretations OF the constitution long &C
cepted and by methods iof procedure
long established. The party that now
demands new interpretations or q new
form or method of count will be- par
ty i'm rebellion and treason against the
constitution, the Union and tho peo-
pie. -.
lam, therefore, in favor Of q fair
and honest constitutional count Of the
49, ,1o-