Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-08-26
A SENSIBLE LETTER.

Under date of August 18th, Gen. Hagood
addressed the following letter to j. W. Hollo-
way, Esq, President of Pine Grove Green.
back Club, Camden, S. G:
My Dear Sir: am in receipt of yours
of the 18th instant, in which, on behalf OF
your club you inquire my views:
First. Upon the fence question; and, Sec
ondly. Whether believe in working men
controlling the government as we'll as sup
portingit
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 interested, and to be answered by each
locality for itself according to the circum.
stances that surround it. Certain counties OF
the State and certain townships 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 convenient and
least burdensome plan to them. This is done
under the State law giving the respective
counties and townships option in the matter.
1t appears to me that this optional feature
of the law is eminently wise and should not
be changed. 1t is matter for the electors
in each locality to decide for themselves, and
the wishes of the majority must govern in
this as in other matters under institutions
such as ours.
If it is the purpose of your question to en-
quire my views upon the application OF this
law to your township or county, have to say
that having neither property nor residence
there, it is not my business. and l have no
opinion on the subject.
To your second question, I reply that no.
where in the laws and Constitution of this
State are the people classed as workingmen
or idle men, rich men or poor men, Intelligent
men or ignorant men, or in any other man.
ner than as electors and non electors The
qualifications of electors are defined IRE.
spectve of class, and the qualification to hold
Office is the same as to vote. l DO not De-
lieve in class legislation or class government.
but in the government of the people by the
people and for the people.
have thus respectfully and fully answered
the questions you have addressed me; but,
with your permission, | will venture to say a
word more to the gentlemen of your club,
which 1 trust will be received in the spirit
in which it is intended. The title "Green.
back Club" implies views upon the currency:
Upon this subject different opinions prevail
in the Democratic party itself. These differ,
ences the national party have subordinsted
to the vital issues at stake in this campaign,
and it behooves us of South Carolina still
more to close our ranks. The Republican
party will undoubtedly make another strug-
gle this year, and its success means with US
this very class legislation and government.
1t means, as our experience has taught us,
the .predominance of vice and Ignorance in
the State government, 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 citl-
zens may we'll differ
It will be sad day for you and me when
it can be said that through our differences
and chickering's we have remanded ourselves
and perhaps our children's children to the
filth of Radical rule.
Very truly your obedient servant,
JOHNSON HAGooD.