Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1878-06-08
Lf'or the Orangcburg Times
FORK OF TIE EnISroS,
May 2G,l 1878.

FORK OF TIE EnIsros,
May 2G,h 1878.
Eai'or |'a"y'bn'y Times
DEAR SIt-As a Convention of the
Democracy Of the County will doubt.
less be called at an early daY 30 take
Tito consideration matters of vital
interest to the party, | can con
cclve of no business more important,
or even so important to be disposed of
as hat ofselecting the proper men to
represent us in the next Legislature.
1t is true we have already the names
Of good and worthy gentlemen men
toned in connection with this hon
orablc and responsible posi,on-m eli
who, no doubt, would reflect credit
upon themselves and the county they
represent ut Columbia. But, Mr..
Editor, at this very peculiar and mo-
mentors juncture Of our political
career, several very essential qualif-
cations must belong to one man, and
those qualifications, in very high
degree, developed. if our public inte-
rest suffer no dctrimcnt. l am one
OF those who believe in, and try to
adhere, to the old maxim, "that the
Office should seek the man, and not
the man the Office and should be
rcjolced to see our educated and as
piring old and young men, adhering
to this principle; but, alas, for us, c
too often see the opposite to this time
honorcd maxim practiced in almos t
eveCy department of public life; aud
they would have you believe, too !,
that nothing but the overwhelming
and Irresistible influence Of fran /,
could have induced thom to allow
their names used in connection with
public office. You, no doubt, have
seen the same working before to day,
Nr. Editor, and at the same time.
what an air Of reluctance they can
assume One can scarcely make his
appearance in public any more, par
ticularly at the Court House, without
being subjected to annoyance by
these oflice-scekers. Perhaps you
have hardly reached your crowd
before you are met by one of
these would lie candidates. OF
course, he approaches you with a
placid smile sporting all over his
conntenance, an extended hand to
give you fond salutation, and Ian
guage expressing his exalted appre-
citation Of the precious opportunity
you have allowed him by mectin q
with you. He inquiries after the health
OF the family, as matter of course
hopes the crops are promising. and
then delivers himself something after
this manner "My very dear old
friend, you have no idea how much
r2Joiced | am glad to meet with you, |
have always regarded you as one OF
my best, my warmcst friends; one
upon whom | could rely i'm plicitly,
not only in matters involving friend
ship, but when counsel was needed,
good advice required, have Away
felt, and frequently told my wife,
that there was no one throughout my
extensive acquaintance, I would soon
or go TO than yourself. You must
know, my friend, | have confidence
in your unerring judgment that never
wanes or wavcrs. With these feel
lngs for you, | desire, with your per
mission, to acquaint you with few
facts touching my public interest, OBJ
tam your views upon them, and govern
myself accordingly. For weeks, ven
may say for months past, almost
every day, the mails have brought me
letters from different portions of tho
county, some asking my permission
to allow my name used for legislativ G
honors; while others say they have
from previous intimate acquaintance
with me taken the liberty, without
my knowledge, Of announcing my
n"nc n a candidutc; and already
-. ..'. raj, u. i"ot "a. they had in
trrviewcd, tc tell them, without q