The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1879-11-05
General McG0wan for Congress.
lKeOUee CoRTier.l

Tn the South we are Democrats. We
believe this to he the party Of honest and
constitutional government, but. have we
selit'to Congress- truly representative
men either in point 81 prudence, ability
or conservatism ? We very much lear
thatsthe Southern States are not repre-
SERTED in Congress in q proper sense OF
the term, and ut all events we favor a
change in South Caralina. In Il dis
trict we have no word to say against Col.
Aiken, save only that ut times he has
appeared to us rather extreme. We have
at all times found him ready to serve his
constituents and accommodating III all
respects. No one can deny this, but can
we say he has become the exponent ana
defender Of the c0Iserva. i've views OF our
people? He has had the vote OF us anu
our people tor twO terms, and il nolnIna-
ted again we will lend him all our aid ;
but should we not look over our district
we'll le!Ora m liking II selection with
q majority in the Senate and House we
have lost ground, and yet with our con-
servative views, if property expressed,
we should have gained strength. WHY'S
this? We can no say, but we trust our
next convention to nominate candidates
will send delegates unpledged and that
HUI IL III dild iSll k''Sy w
left free To select the man niust likely To
serve us faithfully and ut the same time
reconcile the sections and strengthen the
party. We think we see in General SAM
uel MCGOWAN the embodiment of the
political views OF our people and the dis
erection, and ability to maintain them. tie
is not the maj to seek ollire, but he is tie
man the people should demand to accept
j.. AS we once said he WIS elected to
Congress after the war. but WAS refused
his seat, and again in 1874 he ran against
Iioge ut the earnest solicitation of he
people, not because lie wanted the Office,
hut because he was considered the strong
est mar in tie party. The am opinion
among. our people brought him out for
j Judge and in every instance, he pulled q
heavier vote than any other Democrat in
the State. Besides his campaign speeches
and conservative views. has accomplished
more in unifving the DE nocrtts and
gaining Republican votes than the views
OF any other man in the State. How
much has he served us in war and in
peace g.! In Mexico and in the Confeder-
ate army ! ,Berore the war and in the
dark days OF Radical supremacy, VIII"
has labored more, spent more in lime or
money and eXerted Il wider and more
WIlDltSOiilc lllIucIlEC ItIau HEuo"ah !
He has age, experience and ability. He
has discretion. tirmness and integrity of
character. and witial he knows where,
when and how to express his views,
either in an aggressive or defensive way.
We once put forward his name for Gov-
e'nor, hut we think he can best serve the
State and the interest of his party by
being invited to serve our people in Con-
grcss. He merits the position and the
interests Of Il people demand that he
should he requisite ] to serve them in 1t.
He is a sclf-made man. Born poor and
brought up between the pillow handles, he
is practical and understands well the in
terests of all classes. In politics his
vieps have always been conservative.
He stands practically on the same plat
form with Gov. Hampton. and with such
men in Congress a few years would wit
ness the success of the Democrats in the
national campaign.