The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1882-06-22
Our Danger and Our Duty.
Letter from Senator hampton.

WASHINGTON, June H..
To THE EDITOR OF THx News AND COURIER:
Several friends have written to me urging
that should become candidate for Gov
ernor, and to thoae have privately given
nv reasons why l could not do so; but as
the press of the State has in various quar-
ters broaclied this matter, deem it proper
that my views should be made known to
the people 80 tFat there may be no misun-
dersanding Of nv position.
1t is not necessary for ME, I trust, to say
that I would willingly make any personal
sacrifice for the benefit of the State, or that
my services csn always be commanded by
my fellow-citizens should an emergency a.
rise demanding them. But in ms judgment
no such emergency now exists, and apart
from this there are many other cogent rea.
cons why should not enter the contest for
the Office. In the first place, several gen.
tlemen OF high character, uuquestioned abi-
ity and large experience, personal friends
of mine, have been suggested for this hon
orable position, and from that number one
can be selected who can fill the place with
honor to the State and 10 himself Under
no circumstance would antagonize these
friends, and this reason is Of itself sufficient
TO contol my action in this after. But
there are many other reasons of great force
which influence me. am anxious to with.
draw from public life at the earliest prdctl-
cable and proper moment, and am there
fore unwilling TO enter upon new duties. or
to assume new responsibilities.
II in RI vhng | xrH-
ed an imperative demand Of the prOple Of
my State that consented to be their stand
ard-Uearer in 1876; obedience 10 the pop
ular will has kept me in public life from
that time TO the present, but do not con-
eeive that there will be any necessity for
my continuance in it much longer: certain
ly there can be none for my seeking place
which can be worthily filled by any gentle
man who may be nominated by our Con-
in any way be considered IS q possible
candidate. am profoundly grateful for
the unvaryibg kindness Of my fellow-citi-
zens, which has been manifested so often
and in so many ways, and if their kind
feelings still continue these can be shown
in no manner more gratifying to me than
by allowing me to seek the quiet aud re.
pose Of private life. for assure them that
I shall lay down the responsibilities and
honors they have conferred upon me with
far greater satisfaction than I assumed
them.
But while cannot enter the field as .
candidate, I shall cheerfully do all in my
power in behalf of the nominees Of our
party if the Convention gives US good men
and good platform. Every true man in
the State should feel impelled by the high
est sense of duty to do this. if we hope to
preserve the inestimable blessings secured
to the State by the heroic efforts of the
people in 1876. The perils that surround
US now are nearly if not quite as great as
they we're then, and the incentives to unit
ed action are just as urgent. 1t is only by
keeping our ranks unbroken that we can
maintain home rule and honest government,
and il is disheartening TO feel that our pres
ent dangers spring not from the strength
Of our opponents, but from the divisions,
iealousies and diss Dsions among ourselves.
If mistakes have been committed by tie
representatives of our party, the people
hold in their own hands the absolute power
to remedy whatever evil has been done.
No error that has been committed by their
party can justify any man who has the in
terest of the Sta'e at heart in deserting its
ranks, for all needful reform can be had
within its organization. regret therefore
beyond expression to see dissatisfaction i'll
any quarter, because Of opposition to some
of the measures adopted at the last session
of the Legislature. Without rejecting in
the slightest degree upon either the wisdom
or patriotism of that body, think that
their action in regard to the Registration
law and the Stock law was unfortunate, but
my opposition to these laws is DO reason
why should desert the only party that has
given honest and good government to the
State since the war. Nv conception of De-
mocracy is that the majority ehould rule,
and those who oppose the measures men.
toned will have the opportunity of ascer-
tanning at the next election on which side
The majority stands. Should it be the pop
ular will that these laws should Sc repealed
or modified. the next Legislature can take
action in that direction. We may rest as
sured that no redress of any evil can be had
by the restoration of radical rule, and in
the present copditinn of races and Parties
in the State, an Independent is, if possible,
worse'than q Radical, for he is an enemy
"who steals the livery of Heaven to serve
the Devil in". In the great fight we are
Masking to. preserve the civilization Of our
State, be who is not with us is against US,
and no apecious pretence of love for the
"dear people" can hide the cloven foot.
Let me therefore, as one who has had
every political aspiration more than graft
aed, and who seeks nothing save the pros
perity Of the State, urge our people to stand
firm and to keep united. Let every lover
Of his State register at once and be ready
to vote. Let US nominate our best men for
all the Offices. Let US adopt and carry out
in good faith the principles which gave US
success in '76, and We shall again be success
full. I venture to offer this advice to my
fellow.citizens because of the trust and
confidence with which they have honored
me; because Of my anxious solicitude for
the preservation Of good government; be-
cause nv public career is drawing to a
close, and above all, because do not wish
to see the great principles and the grand
cause for which brave men struggled so
zealously and devoted women prayed so
earnestly in '76 lost by apathy, Indifference
or treachery in 'S2-or ever.
am, very respectfully,
WADE HAMPTON.