The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1881-04-30

tion trcnbled II, the bnIance, Mr..
| O,C,omnor. at this moment, sprang to
his foot, and in an impassioncd address
rnrfrayod the duty Of the Democratic
/ nrfy 70 itsclf and to the country, with
= power that bore down dissent and
caused the platform and resolutions,
recognizing the results Of the war and
tho binding force Of tho constitutional
amendments, to be adopted by an over
whelming majority. This speech gave
Mr.. O'Connor 4 national reputation as
an orator, The man and the hour had
met. In the campaign which follow
cd, Mr.. O'Connor canyasscd Massachu-
sctts in company with Gen. Bradley
4. Johnson, speaking at nearly every
important point in the State.
Mr.. O'Connor was a delegate from
South Carolina to the National Con.
ycntion Of 1876, and was q member of
the committee appointed to inform
Mr.. Iildcn ofhis nomination. In that
year he was nominated as the Demo.
cratic candidate for Congress in the
Second District Of South Carolina, un-
der peculiar circumstances: The De-
mocracy, after q long struggle, in
which opposing views were held bv
men of equally patriotic purpose, de-
cided to nominate a full Democratic
ticket, with Democratic candidate
for every Office to be filled at tho cnsu
ing general election. There was not
at the time any widespread cxpccta-
ton that the State ticket would be
elected. The change in the prospect
later OH was wrought by the unhag-
ging work Of the united Democracy,
the former opponents Of the Straight
out policy being conspicuous by their
energy:and devotion. 1t was difficult
to find proper persons willing to accept
what was deemed the barren honor of
nomination where there was no hope
of an election. This was the case in
this Congressional District Major
Barker consenting to be nominated
for Congress merely in order that
there should be no gap on the ticket.
Two days after, Major Barker de-
clined to run provided any other per-
son were found willing to undertake
the race. Mr.. O'Connor was nominal
ed, and made vigorous fight, but
was defeated. In 1878 lie was elected,
and again in 1880.
AS a CONGRESSMAN,
Mr.. O'Connor was an earnest worker,
interesting himself in many measures
for the benefit of Charleston aud tho
colorcd people, especially IN the mat
ter Of the Freedman's Bank swindle.
Mr.. O'Connor's highest ambition
was gratiticd when he was elected TO
Congress. a candidate, at first,
against his will, he soon was fascinat-
cd by the variety and excitement Of
life in Washington, and could not look
1Itif
defeat in the future. Throughout his
ilrst term ne was exposca to " harass.
ing and fatiguing contest on the part
sooner had he received his certificate
for his seat confronted him. These
contests and the feverish activity and
chronic fret of Congressional life wore
him down and wore him out. The
seeds of the disease were sown during
his canvass of 1.-THE District last sum
mcr, and they ripencd all too rapidly.
AT his post he remained, however, un-
til Congress adjourned. Then, bowed
and broken, he came home to die.
Surely Nj. 2. O'Connor had not an
enemy, and the friends he had he
could depend OH as they could rely on
him, Always anectionatc, generous,
tender and consideratc, with bright
smile for every acquaintance and
firm, strong grasp. Of the hand for
every. friend, his bcaming eye and
cheering face will long, long be missed
in, Charleston. Honored he was by
this people,; loved he was by those
who knew the sweet simplicity of his
gcmtlc, aflectionatc nature remembcr-
ed he will be as one whose whole ca
recr was free from the stains ofmalicc,
envy and revenge, and who leaves to
those hearts ache for him to-day the
precious memory of whose life adolii I'd
by generosity and charity, and by
kindliness that never failed.