The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1878-07-30

my constituents want than they
kl)w themselves. You know I am
lncApab:e OF thinking Or Tying such
a thing. Tie nun that would
Uttor such Il sentiment is other u
fool OF u lunntic. l say it would
have been u most foolish speech.
and | never said any such thing.
Again, it is charged that 1 voted
against the us,lry law. AS to that,
it was only what WAS done in tho
Democratic Legislature in 1865,
when we had Bratton in the Senate
the man who now stands Mt tho
head of your county org,n;z 'tiou---
whiio in tho House wo nud Colonel
Aston, Colonel Eill1in anI Mr..
James II. Aiken, all good and true
men. Upon question of such
Importance und delica"y, we should
not be too quick to pass Judgment.
Upon the usury law there has
always boen great difference of
opinion. AS q matter Of fact, such
laws accomplish little or nothing.
A man who has money will get his
price for it, just as merciant will
for his goods, and no legislation
can mako him tako less. When a
merchant sells goods on time, he
adds IL Percentage for the crelit
given, anl tho law does not try
to reach him. Yet the MN who
charges more than s,ven per cent
for money is made to occupy tha
position Of Il violator of tue law.
1t WAS my judgment that such law
coull accomplish no good, anl I
votel us [ conscieaSiousIy though
for the best interest of my con-
stituents. At any rate, I tliak you
will agree with me that where there
is SO much doubt. it ought to have
suggested to these men not to
condemn SO swiftly. It is also
charged that L votcl too often with
the Charleston deleg ,tion NY
friends, if thore is anything that
can ruin us, it is sectional animosi
ty-it can and, if continued, it
will, bro TX us up root and branch.
There is nothing more dangerous
to the Democracy and to the State.
But us for the Ch,rles ton dcIesl-
tlon, they split on every import mt
question: When, therefore, they
say that [ voted with tho Charles
ton allegation, the chlrge is not
only without meaning, but as false
rs it is dangerous in doctrine.
They say voted against AN inves,
tigation of the State debt. Now,
| have no objection to critic ISM
But before man puts himself up
as Il critic, he must be sure that he
knows what he is talking about. 1
never once voted against investiga-
ton, but voted always for investi-.
cation, full, searching and thorough.
| have spoken lony--unnecess.,ri-
ly long, perhaps-but L have done
SO only in Justice to myself, and in
response to the principle that it is
right for the people to demand Of
me an account Of my stewardship.
1 thank you again for your kind
expressions towards me, and for
your attention to-day. [Great ap-
plause.
The chairman next introduced
Col. B. E. Elkin, who made most
pleasing and forcibIo address, which
we regret our space will not per-
nit us to publish in full. After
complimenting tho Oakland Club
on their past course, the speaker
paid graceful tribute to the
womon of Fairfield, so many of
whom now gracod tho occasion
with their fair presence. Tholo
had been, he said, no reconstructed
women. However much mon may
have sacrificed principle for selfish
gain, the good women Of Carolina
were true. The speaker then re-
viewed the situation at present,
and urged unanimity and harmony
aa essential to success. To the
colored people present, he said that
the attitude of tho Democracy
towards them is now just what it
was in 1876-all their rights would
be respected and main tained, and
they should at once array them
selves on the side of right and of
good government