The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1878-02-13

could be influenced by corrupt men or by cor
rupt motives. From the labors of this com.
mittce of eleven" came two reports upon uli-
icrcnt branches of the subject matter OF IN
vestigation-thc one submitted by General NJ.
{. Butler, upon general grievances OF thc
State; the other by the Hon. G.. A. Trenholm,
upon the bonded debt, both Of which were APP
proved and adopted by the convention.
General Butler and I were but two of n del
cgation of six from Edgetleld, and but two IN
a convention of delegates from twenty,slN
counties in the State, composed of her ablcst
and best c~itizeus. The action of that convcn-
ton was entirely in accord with our views
and sentiments touching the public dept ana
measures of State policy in general, ana IN
fact all Its proceedings were characterized by
unusual gravity, carncStness and harmony.
To charge us with bctraying the true interests
of our constituency in that convention, or
conspiring against the welfare OF the pcopie
of the State, Is to lay Il similar charge at the
door of every member Of that body. 10 say
that we improperly controlled or influenced
their action Is an insult to their intelligence
and Integrity, and a base Islander upon them
as well as upOn ourselves.
This agreement, SO unfairly md m~allclously
paradcd before the public. was open anu Tree
10 be exhibited. About it there was nothing
secret or designed to be hidden. General
Butler did not hesitate to go to theclty OF
New York, and in open court in the suit pc
tween chiluS and Southern against WIN. +.
Everett, TO testify 10 the genuincness ana pur-
port OF this paper, and the CIRCUMSTANCES I'M
der which IL WAS CNtcllcu. lIlOl W lie SV.
inglO New York, il was proposed or suggested
by Il distinguished lawyer of this State, IN 81
letter to General Butler, intended for our Joint
pcruSal that it would be better that the suit
should be compromised, in order to suppress
this agreement. This proposition General
Butter, with my hearty concurrence, declined
and unhcsitatingly unfoldcd the paper TO tle
world by his testimony In open court. DIS
tortcl construction to his prejudice he dcficd,
and so do |, conscious US we arc OF nothing
wrong in agreeing to serve, as attorneys,
gentlemen Of high character and to lend our
aid by proper means to relnstatc the ruined
credit of the State.
From this transaction we have never re-
ceivcd one dollar. nor, so far AS ! know, have
those who, invested their money In 1t. This
twice told tale" Is, with deep malice. dc.
signed to impair the usefulness of General
Butler and myself in our respective public
spheres, and to inJurc our private characters.
My warfare against public thieves and robbers
has been bitter, unrrlenting, and, l am hap
by to say, successful. and such has been and
ever will be my devotion 10 her institutions
and her veal that neither the voice nor the
pen of the dcfamer shall cause me to falterln
my course, or to swcrve from my duty to the
State. For the honor and welfare Of my pco..
pie ] have fought, and for the redemption OF
my State ! have struggled. She is redeemed,
thank God, and stands to-day the proud peer
OF any State. and, SO far as my heart and voice
and arm nave awaited, and may hereafter
avail, 50 shall she stand forever.