The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-09-01
Egagood to the Greenbackers.

Under date of August 18th, Gen.
Hasood addressed the following letter
to J: W. Holloway, Esq, President
of Pine Grove Greenback Club, Cam
den S. c:
Nh Dear Sir: I am in receipt Of
yours of the 10th instant, in which
on behalf of your club, you Inquire
my views ::
First. Upon the fence question !;
and secondly, Whether | believe in
working men controlling the govern
ment as well as supporting it.
With regard to whether the crops
or the live stock Of the country shall
be fenced, it is a question purely of
cost and convenience to those interes-
ed, and to be answered by each local
.ity for itself according TO the clrcum-
stances that surround it. Certain
counties of the State and certain town
ships in other counties have adopted
the plan of fencing the stock, and
would not willingly recur to the old
system. Other counties prefer the
fencing of crops as the most conven-
lent and Least burdensome plan to them.
This is done under the State law Civ
ing the respective counties and town
eh;Ds antion p-the matter. go"
It appears to me that this optional
feature of the law is eminently wise
and should not be changed. It is a
matter for the electors in each local
ity TO decide for themselves, aud the
wishes of the majority must govern
in this as in other matters under in
st;tutious such as ours. -
IF 1t is the purpose of your question
to enquire my views upon the appll-
cation of this law to your township
or county, I have to say that having
neither property nor residence there,
it is not my business, and have no
opinion on the subject.
To your second question, | reply
that nowhere in the laws and Consti-
tuition of this State are the people
classed as workingmen or idle men,
rich men or poor men, Intelligent
or ignorant men, or in any other man
ner than as electors and non-electors.
The qualifications Of electors are de-
fined irrespective of class, and the
qualification to hold Office is the same
as to vote. I do not believe in class
government, but in the government
of the people by the people and for
the people.
I have thus respectfully and fully
answered the questions you have ad-
dressed NE; but, with yonr permis-
sion, I will venture to say word
more to the gentlemen Of your club,
which I trust will be received in the
spirit in which it is Intended. The
title ::Greenbaok Club" implies views
upon the currency. Upon this sub
ject different opinions prevail in the
Democratic party itself. These differ
ences the national party have subor-
dinated to the vital issues at stake iu
this campaign, and it behooves us of
South Carolina still more to close cur
ranks. The Republican party will un-
doubtedly make another struggle this
year, aud it's success means with US
this very class legislation aud govern
meut. 1t means, as our experience
has taught US, the predomiuance of
vice and ignorance in the State gov
eminent, and the suppression Of all
that makes South Carolina fit for free
men to live in: The struggle for the
life of the State will be hard one.
Let me implore you to postpone until
the victory is Won all Of those minor
questions upon which good citizens
may well differ.
It will be sad day for you and lne
when it can be said that through our
differences and chickering's we have re-
manded ourselves and perhaps our
cbildren's children to the filth of Rad
ical rule.
Very truly your obedient servant
JOHNSON HAGooD.