The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1884-05-27
[For the Watchman and Soulhron.
Candidates.
srMrER COUNTY. s. C.. Nay !:

SUMTER COUNTY, S. c., May %.
M. Editor: Judging by letters, resou-
tions, calls for club meetings, etc., the County
is gradually awakening from its two years of
rest from politics. and tue time is almost On
US, when we shall, at country stores and by
roads, meet gentlemen who astonish US by
their evident friendship and keen desire to
respect any humor which may be on us, cx-
cept that Of silence; and even with past
experience, it is some time before it dawns on
us that something higher actuates this man.
lie is patriot gaunt, and hungry for glory
on the public pap-chie6y though, because q
number OF friends desire it, and would ''bolt'
before they would vote for any one else; and
rather than be rude 10 this kind friend, who
seems so anxious to be appreciated, rs be
stops and talks TO US from his buggy, the
hopest coun,ryman is pledged before he
knows it, to do bis share in putting this
worthy gentleman before the public.
Not until he has ridden on and gathered
Ills scattered thoughts, does he recognize the
'sotice seeker'-tbe man, who from vanity
or Il love of power wishes TO fill the public eye,
or become important in the eye Of little fish
of the same genus-little fellows pleased TO
scoot around and tickle his vanity and show
his power. Well, this is NIL by the way, and
hope You will forgive any trausgression,
but know how self-contained in their own
honesty country people are, and would simply
like TO give feeble note of warning on the
approach Of the campaign, and am sure that
no honest man, though he hold an Office, will
think meant him; for his conscience will
tell him that his Office sought him.
wish TO draw several things to the minds
of delegates to the Convention, which, it
seems to me, ought to be settled before the cam
paign opens. hope that no man or set Of
men vii! think that | mean anything per-
sonal, for as soon as the party establishes the
rules of its conduct, ii will become the duty
of every Democrat to follow them; but you
mus, acknowledge that such methods Us are
freely charged against "thc party" two years
ago, with no precedence except among the
Radicals, 1flustcause dissatisfaction and, even
,ually, disruption. FIRST want it settled
whether club can send rs 4 delegate, a mctn-
her of another township club, not sent by his
own club. Second: Have members the
right to withdraw their names from their
own township club; aud join another, Gurthcr
off, and vote? Though do not know per-
sonally whether this was done, have heard
it frequently charged by responsible men and
have never heard it denied-and worse things,
in fact-and am sure that nothing short of
positive denial, or the established right TO do
such things can, or ought to, bring satisfac-
ton with those by whom it was done, 20
others who love the right. must say again,
that do not wish to he personal or do any
thing. if could, TO stir mp old disputes, but
this seems such n clear principle, which if
not settled, is bound to bring trouble. It's
certainly nothing unbecoming in public SER
wants, to attempt to satisfy their master, the
public, by an explanation; and am 80 sure
it would bring such a sense of relief and glad
satisfaction, before we SO too far, to every
one who wants to see the pride Of his County
upheld, to know that all of these questions
could he siiown to be mistakes or slanders.
Dnt silence wont prove it.
Another thing, hopa the ConTention will