The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-04-08

was q nulllty, and that l was only
expected to cast one ballot, did so,
believing it for the best, under all
the circumstances, nor could have
been consistent and have voted other
wise after the Democrats had cast
their vote almost solidly for J. J.
Wright as Associate Justice more
important and higher position. And
why is it that they escaped censure?
for no one will question that in point
of morals, intellect and character
Whipper was certainly the equal Of
Wright.
One other matter, and then I be-
lieve | will have answered every
charge made against me whilst was
in the General Assembly. This was
my vote in favor of furnishing Sen
ators with three or four daily papers
to be laid on their desks during the
session. This would seem to be a
small matter, yet I prefer to give
the reasons for such vote. Three of
the four papers were Democratic,
and, the Senate being largely Repub-
lican, my desire and motive was
that this Republican Senate should
be kept daily informed, through an
opposition press, of the many griev-
ances complained Of, in order to
produce wholesome check on bad
legislation, and, on the other hand, to
hold out an inducement for economic
and just laws. What effect this
daily information produced can only
be determined by the legislation and
reforms subsequent.
/ know that interested politici-
ans endeavored to make the
appointment Of the Jury Com.
missioner before referred to dis.
tasteful to some citizens of the
County, and were loud in their con-
demnation of me; but a calm and
dispassionate review of all the ap-
pointments made in Anderson Coun-
ty during the Republican rule, made
under my influence in great meas
ure, must convince all that I did
not act from q partisan spirit but
for the general public good. In
many instances 1 favored the ap-
puintment of citizens who knew
had opposed my election, but I was
we'll aware that such persons were
competent, honest and acceptable to
their neighbors: hence I ignored all
personal feeling and considerations
and recommended good and true
men.
Even in times when the Demo-
cracy of Anderson were divided I
did not advise or seek to take any
advantage of the situation in County
affairs that could be tortured into
partisanship, but invariably sup.
ported none but good and compe-
tent persons for County officers, thus
on more than one occasion hazarding
my position and influence with some
of the leaders of my own party.
Take, for instance, the County off.
: GERS elected by the votes of the Re-
publicans in Anderson, and I ven-
ture that their conduct of County
affairs will compare favorably with
any elected before or since that time.
In concluding this long ad-
dress, in candor 1 must say that
there are many things running
through the last twelve years that [
would like to forget. But with all
the ostracism and persecution which
followed and was meted out to my.
self and family for time, and per-
haps with some is continued still,
simply because I dared to be a Re-
publican, yet I can say with truth
that 1 have never knowingly injured
the people of this State by word or
act. 1 have stood by the County of
Anderson, opposing each and every
effort to injure or oppress her. On
the one hand 1 bitterly opposed the
organization and arming of the
militia within her borders, the i'm
portation Of the State Constabulary,
or the quartering of troops upon us
for political purposes; whilst, on
the other hand, l opposed as strenu-
ously any Ku-Kluxism or violence
for like purpose, and in so doing I
not only assisted in preventing
discord, riot and bloodshed, but
strengthened the Republican party
and promoted harmony between the
races. I Ialways felt an honest pride
in representing o constituency dis
tinguished since 1868 for peace,
economy, just and liberal views; and
at all times in life, in whatever posi-
tion I may have been placed, I have
endeavored to sustain and maintain
your fair fame and reputation,
whether on the field of battle or as
a private citizen, or as County Audi
tor, or as member Of the House of
Representatives, or as Senator; and it
is with no common or ordinary feel
ings that I attempt now to express
my lasting gratitude for former con-
6dence and support. I bear no
malice to any, but leave all with the
| hant ond e;nnoroet ,rich 40 for 4ha;.