The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-06-05
TIE PRESS AND nANNERs CRITICISM.

The Abbeyile Press and Banner enter
the contest for Colonel Aiken in th'
following article replying TO our article
to which Col. Aiken has already replied
'The above criticism Of Colone
Aiken seems to bo one OF series o
articles which has lately appeared in thai
paper. We eToald not for q moment deny
the right Of any paper to crticise any
public servant, but as the editor Of the IN
TELIIGENCEE is supposed 10 be candi
date for Colonel Aiken's seat in Congress
il occurs TO us little unfair for the
editor to use his paper to injure his com
petitor, at time when he is absent from
home. Colouel Aiken is in Washington,
no doubt discharging his duty with his
accustomed zeal and fidelity. Colonel
Aiken's political views may be very much
at variance with those Of the INTELLI.
GENCER but, upon general principles, we
believe Colonel Aiken is as apt to be
right AS the editor of the INTELLIGEN.
GER. For instance: Colonel Aiken has
never said anything which appeared to
us as ridiculously absurd, as the idea of
running that antiquated old fossil, Tilden,
for President And the INTELLIGENCER
seems equally in earnest about elcctiDg
that old mummy as he is 10 defeat Colo.
nj Aiken. For our own part, we are
disposed 20 give Colonel Aikcn's views q
proper consideration, and we have no
doubt that his views, if adopted, even
admitting the truth of the gloomiest
prediction Of the INTELLIGENCER, would
have q less fatal effect upon Democracy
and good government, than would the
nomination Of tta: old resurrected cOrpse
f:oc New Tori. foE President.
Let it be understood that we have no
unkind feeling iof thc INT1LLIGEScEg.
On the other hand, if Colonel Aiken was
out Of the race we know of no one whom
we would sooner support for the place.
But we must protest against the use of
the lNTELIIGENCER 10 prejudice the
public against good man, who is in
Washington dischaiging Lis duty with
fidelity. Colonel Aiken's views are GER
tainly not more absurd than the prop0.
sition to nominate Tilden for position
which he is ayowedIy and admittedly
unable TO fill, oven if he were elected.
The nomination Of Tlden would certain.
ly preclude the possibility of the election
of Democratic President, even If the
nomination did not put the party in a
state Of disintegration."
We do not object to the Press and Ban
ner defending Col. Aiken and advocating
his reelection. He is an Abbevile man,
and the personal associations and County
pride of our contemporary would lead 1t
to espouse his cause, but we submit to
our friend that its ground of criticism
upon us iy not exactly fair. The editor
Of the INTELLIGENcER happens to be q
candidate in opposition to Col. Aiken.
That candidacy does not retire him from
the editorial charge Of the INTELLIGEN.
GER. AS an editor it is his duty and
privilege to comment upon passing events
in such manner. us he deems proper. The
fact that he is candidate does not make
it wrong for him to entertain or express
an opinion. The only question at issue
over those opinions is their sincerity and
their correctness. The Press aud Banner
will not question the sincerity of the In.
TELL1aENCER In opposing the disruption
of the National Democratic party. It
has been our position repeatedly, and its
present expression is no departure.
Neither does the firess ana Banner deny
the correctness of that opinion, but seeks
to compare 1t with another opinion of the
INTELLIaENcER upon different ques.
tion. The Press and Banner has o right
to combat the INTELLIaENCER's opinion
upon the probability of Tilden's nomina-
tion and election, but it cannot consis.
tently argue because We hold those
opinions, which it thinks are wrong, that
we are wrong In criticising Col. Aiken's
new party idea.
Before condemning the INTELLIGEN.
GER we would like for tho Press and
Banner to answer the following question
"Is il in favor of breaking up the Ma:
tional Democratic party, aud forming
Southern party 10 vote on all questions
Independent. Of party afiilia,ions7" If it
Is in favor Of this policy, then it agrees
with Col. Aiken, aud properly censures
the position of the INTELLIaENoER; +; b t
ii it is not in favor Of this policy, itagrees
with the INTELLIeENcER, and ought
to find other grounds 70 censure US than
the expression of an opinion in which 1t
seoncurs. The question between Col.
Aiken and us ~. not whether wo are
correct about Tilden, br! whethe. He srs
corsect in opposing the new party move
rnent. ae ~ 81 f'9f
The fact that Col. Aiken is member
of Congress does not make it wrong for
other candidates to express their opinions
upos his poaitions, nor is 1t wrong to
publish those opinions. sVo ha7s pab-
lished Col, Aiken's views as well as our
own, and what Is moro than that we
have always sent him a complimentary
copy Of the INrELIIaENcER, 90 there
was no danger OF our making any publ.
cation he would not have the opportunity
to see. We have given his articles space
in the IHTELIIsENCER, aud the people
have been given both sides of the con.
troyersy. We cannot See any unfairness
& iii tie matter. 81 ie
Az 70; tie Press and Banners, censure
of the ISrELLIGENCFa's position about
Tiidcn5 We only have to say that the
siew'8 of Tho IkrELLreENcER are in con.
5sonance With the great mass Of Demo
Gratis in the United States. Il may be
that our views are 'ridiculonsly abaurd,"
&C., but We have the satisfaction Of
knowing that th;sy are held BY the best