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

MAJOR WOODWARD ON THE CONGRESS
sIoNAL CANVASS.
Maj Il. w. Woodward has written tho
following open letter which is published in
the Lancaster ReUteW:
WINNsBoRo, July 16.
Gen. j. B. L7oin, County Chairman Ian.
caster:
GENERAL: [ have seen an editorial in
the ledger suggesting tie calling of another
convention for the purpose Of selecting a
new set of delegates who Shall assist in choos.
ing member Of Congress from the Fourth
District
Various reasons are assigned for this new
call. 1t is urged that "actiOn 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 l
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
ter. 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 tuchy aspirant, whoever he may be.
wanting in appreciation Of the honor con.
ferrcd, and reckless of the high rcsponsi.
bilitics devolved upon him.
How are those delegates to ascertain pub,
of them that they shall canvass the county
And arc men not often mistaken even after
the most exhaustive efforts IN Mci' o,cn
JehaLf?
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 a hap-hazzard, "double wab-
BILE" way and not by actual choice of the pco-
pie. VIII III left Lancaster it was my opin-
ion, and it is yet, that l would be h norcd
10y the votes of a majority Of your delegates,
but if am mistaken in this, or if Colonel
Evins has Il ma ority of one man in the
whole county, then is he entitled to the
support of your entire dcleg gAtion, and |
certainly do not desire to rob him of sin.
gle vote to which it has been demonstrated
that he is entitled.
do protest. however, both in my own
interest, and for the reputation of the Demo.
cracy Of the Fourth District. that the gam
bling process rcsortcd to in 1876, aud to
which Col. Evins owes his present position,
shall not be repeated. it is high time that
the Democrats should choose their officials
by other means than by drdwmg names
from, q hat, rs was done, as you know, in
1876. If the position of Congressman is
to be drawn like prize in a lottery, or won
or passes by default, because the people
arc apathctic 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 slurrcd 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-
quircd that unless beat him | will retire
from the contest, and do what | have done
tcicc before. support him not only strcuu-
cusly but cordially. Col. Evins has held
the position for four years he owes his
nomination in the first instance to LHch-
His services in Congress whilst useful, and
| believe faithful, arc nevertheless not of
that high order intellectually which should
cause evch an ordinary plantation individ-
ual, like myself, to shrmh from contest
with him, or to cntitle him to demand
Thid Term at the hands of the people of
ahc Fourth congressional District.
Yours, II. w. WOODWARD.