The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1880-11-10
Col. E. S:+KeItt and the Independent

columns to correct misrepresentation
The Newberry HERALD in its last issue,
October 9th, speaking of an independ-
ent ticket which they say my name is
on, uses the following language "Col.
Keitt is non-committal" This the HER
ALDknows is sutterty false, and they have
Intentionally misrepresented me.
On the 18th instant I got Z letter
from w. H. Wallace, one Of the edi-
tors Of that paper stating that an Inde-
pendent ticket was beiA 9 circulated in
the county with my name on it in which
he says: will be pleased to receive
and publish whatever statement you
may see proper to make in connec-'
ton with this matter"
I replied on the Goth instant. and used
the following language: "You have
given me the first authoritative informa-
ton that my name has been put upon
any ticket. I am entirely out of poll
tics, and could not be induced to re-
enter Them" My letter was delivered
by hand tothe editor of the HERALD
on Friday last, five days before its issue.
Why was it not published, if the mis-
representation was not intended? My
political opinions are well and widely
knowa. I have always been honest
and frank in their expression, looking
alone to the welfare of the State.
Very respectfully,
ELLISON S. KE1rr.
We give the facts Of the case both in
justice to Col. Keitt and ourselves. On
the 18th. Of October the letter Col.
Keitt speaks of WAS written stating, as
he says, that we. would be pleased to
publish whatever statement he might
see fit to make in connection with the
matter-the matter of the Independent
ticket. The letter went on to say that
we especially desire to ascertain from
each of the nominees on this ticket, 1st,
whether he has been nominated with
his knowledge or consent; End, wheth-
er be would run on that or any other
Independent ticket; Sd, whether he
would serve if elected on such ticket" :"
The letter was written because we did
not expect to be able to see Col. Keitt
personally. A day or two after mail
ing the letter We met Col. Keitt on the
streets of NewberrY and, telling him of
the letter, which be had not then re-
ceived, and of its object, asked him the
three questions above stated. To the
first be answered no, to the second, that
he was out of politics and was attend
ing to his private business, and to the
third, that be was like 4 modest girl,
and would not kick before he was court
ed. This interview was reported in
the HERALD. After this personal in
tcrview bis letter was received. It was
not published. for two reasons; first the
personal interview had fully answered
the purpose of the letter, and, second
ly, we had only proposed to publish
whatever he might see fit to say in con-
nection with the Independent ticket.
In not publishing the letter there was
no desire or purpose to do him any in
jury and in saying he-was '.non-com-
initial" on the question whether he
would serve if elected on the Independ-
ent ticket, the published interview,
| (the correctness of which he will not
deny), and his letter of the 18th oil, Oc-
tober, (Which can be found below,
will show whether or not we have mis-
represented him. Neither in the per-
sonal interview nor IN bis letter do we
find anything that we can construe as
meaning that he would not serve if
elected. Such may have been his in
tention in his letter. and others may be
able to gather that meaning FROM it.
Could we have done so we would
gladly have published the fact at once.
Our readers can put their own construc-
ton upon it. Here it is:
| ENoREE PLANTATION, s. O.,
Oct. goth, 1880.
Mr.. ": z. Wazlacc, Editor Mev6erYy
Herald:
DEAR SIR. Your letter of the 18th
instant is to hand, in which you say a
ticket is being circulated in this County
with my name on it for the Legislature
that you have seen some of the nomi-
nees, and those you have not seen you
have written to; that you would be
pleased to receive and publish any state
ment 1may see proper to make in connec-
ton with the matter. You have given
ME the first authoritative information
that my name has been put upon any
ticket. am entirely out Of politics,
and am so thoroughly disgusted with
the tricks and frauds that are practiced
that / could not be induced to re-entel
them. For twenty years I served the
county in her greatest trials, honestly
and with all my ability. At great cost
to myself travelled in the North and
spoke in two Presidential cam paigns to
put the condition of the State before
the public mind. Last December and
January, after mature deliberation, /
frankly and honestly gave my opinions
to my countrymen as to what we should
do. If my council bad been needed
we would have been saved the morti-
ication of having the patriot dead Of
the South, who fell in the late war be-
| LWSSu llS LoL<slCS IA ou0SO % " l<1llOI s
by cur standard bearer with the hope
that thereby he may get few more
Northern votes and SECURE additional
political power;. and the shame that
men of the South who have ever been
honored by her people should be SC
weak as to approve the sentiment
An honest, straightforward and man.
ly course alone will achieve success
Until that is the rule l hope to remain
in private station. I advocate the
largest liberty, liberty with law anc
order Sfor without them it is liceatious
ness, and civilization is rolled back
| The government should be controlled
by intelligence, property and character
When ignorance and venality are in
stalled into power the ruin of all will
be the result. Government should pro
tect its citizens everywhere in all theil
rights and privileges. If it fails te
protect even the poorest it is a fraqt
and should be. obliterated:
| Very respectfully,
ELLISON S. KETTT.