The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1880-08-06
NAJ0R WOODWARD ON THE C0NGREs.
SI0NAL CANVASS

xAJ0R WOODWARD ON THE C0NGREs.
sI0NAL CANVASS.
Maj L. w. Woodward has written the
following open letter which is published in
the Lancaster ReUieU:
WINNsBoRo, July 16.
Gen. j. B. Ir'oin, County Chairman Ian.
caster:
GENERAL: kave seen an editorial in
The Ledger su2( Sting the calling of another
convention the purpose Of selecting a
new set OF dD4egates who shall assist in choos.
ang member Of Congress from the Fourth
District
Various reasons are assigned for this new
call. 1t is urged that ''acton was taken
hastily, and some contend without authority.
that when the selection was made there was
only ono candidate in the field" &c.
Now, General, this publication was made
without my knowledge or consent, and
have no fault to find with the delegates
chosen, for know personally that they are
honest, conscientious gentlemen, who would
only be influenced by what they believed
was the sentiment of the people in this mat
tor. But submit, that if what the Ledger
says is true, and that in addition to the
points already made, these delegates were
chosen by committee appointed by the
chair, and without any expression of opin-
ion by the meeting there is then want of
interest, in fact, reckless indifference, upon
the part of the people of Lancaster, which
will not only result in harm to the Demo.
cracy itself, bat it will even tend to make
the lucky aspirant, whoever he may be,
wanting in appreciation Of tho honor con.
ferrcd, and reckless of the high rcsponsi.
bilities devolved upon him.
How are those delegates to ascertain pub.
lilo opinion in this matter? Is it required
of them that they shall canvass the county
Aud are men not often mistaken even after
the most exhaustive efforts in their own
behalf?
1t is evident, then, that this honorable
and important Office, involving, as it does,
the material interest of eight counties, is to
be conferred in q hap hazard, "double wab-
BILE" way and not by actual choice of the peo-
pic. VIII IN / left Lancaster it was my opin-
ion, and it is yet, that would be h:nored
by the votes of q ma ajority Of your delegates,
but it am mistaken in this, or if Colonel
Evins has majority of one man in the
whole county, then is he entitled to the
support of your entire delegation, and |
certainly do not desire to rob him of q sin
gle vote to which it has been demonstrated
that he is entitled.
do protest. however, bo,h in my own
interest, and for the reputation of the Demo.
cracy of the Fourth District. that the ram.
bling process rcsorted to in 1876, aud to
which Col. Evins owes his present position,
shall not be repeated. 1t is high time that
the Democrats should choose their officials
hv ofh ho, h.,
from hat, as was done, az you know, in
1876. IF the position of Congressman is
to be drawn like prize in lottery, or won
like quarter Of beef at shooting match,
or passes by default, because the people
arc apathetic aud feel no concern about
the principles aud qualifications of aspirants,
or Of the general and special interests which
they represent, then arc you authorized to
say to the people of Lancaster and Of the
Fourth District, generally, that do not de.
sire their support.
All that ask for is fair showing. not
Tor myself alone, but for COL Evins also.
do not think that he desires that this
matter be slurred over in this hap hazard
way. and, in token of my good opinion of
him, hereby challenge HIM to canvass
of Lancaster, with written pledge, if re-
quired, that unless beat him will retire
from the contest, and do what 1 have done
t'cice before, support him not only streuu-
cusly but cordially. Col. Evins has held
the position for four years; he owes his
nomination in the first instance to Mck.-
His services in Congress whilst useful and
believe faithful, are nevertheless, not Of
that high order intellectually which should
cause even nm ordinary Manhattan individ-
ual, like myself, to sIrink from contest
with him, or to entitls him to demand a
Third Term at the hands of the people Of
ahc Fourth congressional District.
Yours, Il. w. WOODWARD.