The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-07-06
LET US CONSIDER.
Abbeville Medium.

Abbeville Medium.
As the campaign progresses and
warns up the people should be
careful not to lose sight of the true
issues involved in the contest. 1t is
of small consequence whether any
one man man or set of men may
be chosen to fill public positions.
Principles and not men are to be
regarded. The people demand an
economical and simple form of
government without any compli-
Gated machinery or multiplicity Of
Offices. 1t is not the province of
our lawmakers to create places of
profit for men who may be needy,
no matter how distinguished or
deserving they may be unless ez-
ira service is imperatively ne
cessary. to conduct the govern
ment and administer justice. In
1876 the Democratic party prom
ised to give our people better.
government for less money, and
with fewer officers at proper sala-
ries, than the Radicals had done.
1t was said that our common
schools 8 hould be run on a cheap
er plan and to more advantage
than ever before. Reduction of
taxes, cutting down expenses,
abolishment of useless Offices and
retirement of hangers-on were q
| few of the arguments and promises
of that eventful crisis. These gave
| enthusiasm, earnestness and vic.
tory to the canvass. 1t was not
| a personal campaign but one
founded upon sound Democratic
principles. 1t was inspired by the
necessities of the people and re.
ceived their hearty and united
support. 1t was consequently
unseifsh aud not degraded by any
base ambition or scramble for po-
sition. Since then, however,
chance has thrown men Of weak
and unstable mediocrity TO the
surface and the honorable and ele
vated sentiments that animated
the men of 1876, has been clouded
and dwarfed by petty struggle
for position and the sacrifice OF
the living principles of true De-
mocracy. The incumbents seem to
think that they are not only en-
titled to life tenure but that the
hereditary principle should apply
and that the Offices should be
handed down from generation to
generation. 1t even seems that
an order of succession has been
established and to question the
Divine right to rule of these men
! is esteemed as astrocious as treas
on. A mans standing as a Demo
crat is not to be determined by
his fidelity to the ancient and fun
damental principles of the party
but by his adhesion to and sup
port of personal aspirations OF
certain individuals. A new rule
of faith and practice has been laid
| down.
In the present campaign the
Democratic party has a solemn
duty and a heavy task to perform
in correcting these grave errors
which have crept into our faith.
To forget principles or subordi-
nate them to personal advance
ment is to give up everything and
uphold the interests Of an oil
garchy. 1t stands every man
in hand to consider we'll upon
whom the honors Of Office should be
conferred. There are many wor'
thy men who aspire to position
A vote by an intelligent citizen is
not to be cast on the ground o'
personal friendship. An aspirant'f
record should be taken into con
sideration. If the people favor
perpetuity in Office or the multi
plication of Offices they can easily
fnd men to support their views
If they believe in extravagant ap
preparations they can find mer
who will vote away all the money
they can stand.
. If, however. the people wish
an economical administration o
the State government and Low