The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1879-05-22
Letter from Hon. NJ. A. McCOid.
House OF REPRESENTATIVES,
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 10. 1879.

WASHINGTON, D. C., April ~. 1879.
To the Editor of the Camden Journal.
My DEAR SIR: am in receipt of your
letter of the 10th. In reply, permit me to
say:
1t is with the greatest reluctance that was
led to take the glance of history to which
you refer, and do not wish to be regarded
as an ungenerous nurser of the animosities
of civil war 1 would not willingly re-
proacb one of past offenses, where l did
not regard.such reference duty. But in
this case the irebrand was put in o supply
bill, not by us, but by your representative
men. The contest was precipitated by
those who should have given supplies TO
maintain the "Great Union," without ma
king these political and partisan, and even
war measures. an issue. Will you no. .ad-
nit to force fight upon the repeal of war
measures, is 'to continue to harp upon is
sues dead so long ago." Who is the gull
ty party? Who stirs up the unwonted
strife? Those who honestly resist, or
those who, however sincere in such me-
thod, bring forward the bone of conten-
ton? 1t is necessary sometimes TO "wound
to heal" 1t is in this spirit alone that l
| appeal to sad history for lessons and light.
Into that struggle had the honor, from
the hour of the shot upon the flag at Fort
Sumter, to resist you, when. us you say,
you fought US hard ight.'' 4 precious
brother in its battle carnage lost his right
arm, and soon after his mangled body fol-
lowed it to patriots grave. In the review
of an instant as write, call to mind my
best friends and compRnions Of boyhood
swept down to untimely death, murdered
for the unholy cause Of rebellion. My
friend, for personally you are not else,
YOUR present condition is matter Of deep
interest to me. My country is bounded by
no State or section. The Atlantic washes
its east, the Pacific its west, and IFS coast
| line is unbroken from Maine to Oregon,
(fguratively.) Its mountain ranges and
its rivers mako il indivisible. We RFe, and
we ought TO be, one. Our interests are
the same, especially to South md West,
but no less also 10 East But the faith in
your loyalty. and you must admit justly, is
greatly weakened. Great errors destroy
confidence. Great crimes ruin character
for life And do you expec, wounded,
torn, bleeding and burdened country 10
impctueusly enthrone you' Do yon not
expect to be doubted=--to arouse distrust by
ioinga1pbious demand? And is 1t not
from aJealous anxiety for the preservation
of the government that these feelings
spring? Iassurc you it is not from parts
anship. If it was beyond doubt that, the
constitutional purity Of this nation, the
rights of men, the full and free suffrage,
and tn c consideration ofthe Union would be
preserved by the people of all sections, the
ANXIOUS people of the North wonld retire
from the cares Of its watchtul protection
with sense of great relief, The head
long struggle Of the South to capture full
control creates suspicion. II that people
did not with such haste, and such denun-
citation Of the defenders Of the life of the
nation, and such fierce assault as if for
the mere booty Of power, and such threats
to undo the enactments Of eighteen years,
scale the breastworks of the ballot box at
o right-shoulder.shift and by capture, not
election, seek 10 wrast the power from
those who FEEL conscious of trying TO do
tLeir duty by the country for whose de-
fonec some have even gladly died, but were
content to wait and take part control, di.
vide responsibility and be wholesome
check upon each other, and by generous,
modest, respectful treatment, mutually
grow into each others confidence and es-
them, the wounds would quickly heal, and
heal for good; and if no forcing was at-
tempted, no unfair advantage taken, no at
teulpts made to even Incur yhe genspre Of
an appearance to defeat the constitutional
provisions. this would soon come.
In the light Of eighteen years, may we
not claim TO be as loyal, as sincerely friend
ly TO the bes: interests Of the government.
as Trustworthy, Go impartial and unselfsh
in endeaVors 10 promhte the wpifars OF the
Union, rs you? And where we differ,
widely md determnedly, should we both
not wait? Let matters remain as they are,
until in the most fair, unexceptional and
constitutional manner changes can be ef-
fccted. Is an attempt to starve govern
ment the pert of peace? Is that asking 10
be 'let alone" IL that slrlfe-epkiadling
attempt in the interest Of "quiet' or "Or-
der?" 'Tis we that pray for peace, quiet,
order. We would not let you alone in
madness of rebellion. in weakness or ia
mine, or in the dismny Of pestllence, and
we do not want you now, in this morning
OF The sc2ond century Of the nation, to be
dceeivedinto the cb4ss Of thaI f&ielEl isais
fatuus of Estates Rights" or any other
national evil
Sections ought to divide US no more.
There should be no solid South. The Re-
publican party is and always.has been the
friend Of lls d.qtfpsaed, the poor, the
wronged and the weak ana tic South,
needing internal improvements, energy,
protection, the generous impulses of the
best vigor of the age, should be Republi-
can. The young men should join hands
With the young men of the West and the
East, IN TIC Yong Republican Party. Aud
Sho mn, In nds aS thn cjti IONS NJ nnn StSte