Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1878-06-08

| hSiloClhcy nave an eye on the 30
cialist Of America,
For the Oranyeburg Timcs.]
FORK OF TIE EpIs,ros,
May 2G!h 1878.
E"ifor ranybwy Times:
DEAR SIn-As Convention of the
Democracy of the County will doubt
less be called at an early day to take
Tito consideration matters of vital
interest to the party, l can con
ce've OF no business more important,
or even so important to be disposed of
as That ofselecting the proper m,n 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
orable and responsible position-m eli
who, no doubt, would reflect credit
upon themselves and the county they
represent at Columbia. But, Mr..
Editor, at this very peculiar and mo-
mentors juncturc 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. I 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
rcjoiced to see our educated and as
piring old and young men, adhering
to this principle; but, alas, for us, W c
too often see the opposite to this time
honorcd maxim practiced in almos t
every department Of public life; and
they would have you believe, too I,
that nothing but the overwhelming
and irresistible influence Of frien |,
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 ut the same time,
what an air Of reluctance they can
assume One can scarcely make hi;
appearance in public any more, par
ticularly ut the Court House, will, out
being subjected to annoyance by
these office-seekers 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
countcnance, an extended hand to
give you fond salutation, and Ian
gunge expressing his exalted appre-
citation of the precious opportunity
you have allowed him by meetin g
with you. He inquiries after the health
of the family, as a matter of cours
hopes the crops are promising. and
then delivers himself something after
this manner: "My very dear old
friend, you have no idea how much
r2joicel am glad to meet with you,
nave always regarded yo u as one of
my best, my warmest friends; one
upon whom | could rely i'm plicitIy,
not only i'll matters involving friend
ship, but when counsel was needed,
good advice required, have always
felt, and frequently told my wife,
that there was no one throughout my
extensive acquaintance, l would soon.
or 90 to than yourself. You must
know, my friend, have Il confidence
in your uncrring judgment that never
wanes or wavers. With these feel
inSs for you, | desire, with your per
mission, to acquaint you with a 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 lie
letters from different portions of the
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
name u a candidate; and already
ILL. .,,.I.i, J.. fac. a,. .ncv had in