The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-08-16
For the Times.
"send the Bost Mem" -

send the Bost mens"
Mr., EDiTon AS the Convention will soon
meet to nominate candidates TO represent this
county in the Legislature, AMI also several
county officers, feel il my duty, rs welras my
privilege, TO give some thoughts concerning tho
work that is now before us, even at the risk of
being classcd among that mighty crowd known
as Office seekers. No true patriot can help feel.
ing anxious, if not alarmed, for the welfare Of
our beloved State. It is greatly to be feared
that in the scramble for Office tho good OF the
country will be lost sight Of and her best in-
terests neglected. What Is my duty should be
the earnest inquiry of every true son Of Caro-
lima, and whatever that duty is, perform It, DO
the personal sacrifice what il may. I'm oil our
business transactions of life we have some gene
ral rules by which VIC are governed. If n far
mer hires hand to work he wishes him to be
able, physically, to perform tho work required;
he also desires to know something about his
moral standing. When he purchases q horse he
not only examines the animal as to his sound
ness, but is equally careful about his qualities.
If tho moral character of the animal is not
good the trade is often broken up. Tho same
rules will apply in selecting men TO fill our
Offices. A man should not only be capable Of
filing the office to which he is chosen, but
should at least be q moral man, If not CHRIS.
| tian. If any one should have the affrontery to
ask tho people for their votes who habitunlly
violates tho laws of God and his country, let
him be met at the ballot-box with tho stern re-
buke which he deserves. How many men have
been occupying high official positions in this
State whose moral character was rs black
outer darkness, and regarding libortinism n
virtue; "neither fcafing God nor regarding
| man 7" We have drunk deep of the stream
that flows from this corrup. fountain. If We
would be prosperous and happy people our
| rulers must be men who fear God Men who
would shuddcr ut the thought of doing wrong,
because "Thou God seest me-" We have only
to refer to sacred and profane history to sub
stantiate this position. The word Of God
abounds with evidence corroboratng what
have stated. righteousness exalteth nation,
but sin is reproach to any people" ''When
the righteous are in authority, the people re-
joce: but when the wicked beareth rule, tho
people mourn"
Contrast the happy and peaceful reign Of
Josiah with that of the wicked Ahab and his
cruel Queen Jezebel. Remember, too, the
peaceful reign of Edward the W., of England.
He was styled Josiah on account of his youth
when crowned, and his love of the bible.
On the day of his coronation, when the great
sword was brought to him, he simply asks that
| another sword be brOught-"The sword of the
Spirit, tho word of Truth" Upon the walls Of
the palace, it is said, hangs life-size portrait
of tho youthful monarch pointing 10 passage
in III. Kings relating to his noble prototype.
This serves Us beaconlight to direct oil fut..-e
kings and princes of England. Who can esti-
mate the force of such On example?
But to como nearer home. What contrast
between the condition Of South Carolina now
and whom under Scott, Moses and Chamberlain 8
administration.
Now, Mr.. Editor, with the sad experience of
the last decade fresh in our memories, and tho
light Of history to guide us, what is our duty !?
Echo answers, catch up the words rs they fall +,
ftly spoken, from the lips Of the noble Hamp-
ton-"like apples of gold in pictures of silver
-and reiterate them from the mountains to tho
seaboard: "Send your best men to the Legisla-
ture." Let political and moral reform BIZ in
| snrihed upon our banner; let self and selfish
motives, personal Iprejtdieoo s-a.;..>silias,
DO all sacrificed for the good Of the country.
Let us be true TO ourselves, and the victory is
| ours. G. B. u.