Orangeburg times. [volume] (Orangeburg Court House [S.C.]) 1877-1881, 1878-06-08
For the Orangeburg Times.]
FORK OF TIE EpISTUS,
May 26,h 1878.

| FORK OF TIE EpISrUS,
May Goth 1878.
E'hfor ra"ycbmy Times
DEAR SIE-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, I can con
ce've of no business more important,
Or even so important to be disposed of
as that ofsclecting the proper m IN 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 position eli
who. no doubt, would reAcc: credit
upon themselves and the county they
represent Mt Columbia. But, Mr..
Editor, ut this very peculiar and mo-
mentors juncture Of our political
career, several very essential qualifi-
cations must belong to one man, and
those qualifications, in very high
degree, developed. if our public inte-
rest suffer no dctrimcnt. / am one
OF those who believe in, and try to
adhere, 10 the old maxim, chat the
office should seek the man, and not
the man the Office and should be
rcjoiced to see our educated and as
piring cid and young men, adhcring
to this principle; but, alas, for us, " G
too often see the opposite to this time
honorcd maxim practced in almos
every department of public life; and
they would have you believe, too,
that nothing but the overwhe ing
and irresistible influence of frien Is
could lave induced them to allow
their names used in connection with
public office. You, no doubt, have
seen the same working before to day,
,lr. 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, will, out
being subjected to annoyance by
these oflice-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 n
placid smile sporting all over his
countcnance, MI extended hand to
give you a fol- salutution, and Ian
gunge expressing his exalted appre-
citation Of the precious opportunity
you have allowed him by mectin
with you. He inquiries after the health
Of the family, as II 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
rojoiced Lam glad to meet with you, |
have always regarded you rs one of
my best, my warmcst 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, would soon
cr 90 to than yourself. You must
know, my friend, have confidence
in your unerring judgment that never
wanes or wavers. With these feel
ings 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, yea
| may say ior months past, almost
every day, the mails have brought me
letters from different portions of the
county, some asking my permission
to allow my name used for legislativ c
honors; while others say they have
from previous intimate acquaintance
with me taken the liberty, without
my knowledge, Of announcing my
namc n candidate; and already
j.. -. rai, u. luu. "a they had in
t"rview"d, to tell them, without n