The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-06-03
NO. 36.

| hoHc, Hc HAS ITO nome.
''Two of his brothers lost their lives
in defence Of the South, and his own
record is before you. Can it be said now
that here in South Carolina-in one of
the States for which he offered his
blood-hc is to be denied the right to
call this State his home? He has two
children here. This is their home.
Their mothers were South Carolinians.
They have only known their father as a
South Carolinan. Are you prepared to
say to them today that they are moth
ing here; have no rights here: that
they arc not to be called South Carolin-
ians? Forif the father is not a South
C"rolinian, they have no right to be
called So"
This eloquent appeal which, however,
l have only skctched in outline, provok-
cd hearty and generous outburst of
applause from the audience, rs it would
have done from any audience anywhere.
1T was noble speech, made in behalf of
n gala mt soldier who is under fire of
friends and foes alike. strangely enough,
and the men of Barnwcll appreciated it
MS it deserved.
PnssineIto the question of Mr. Morgan's
eligibility to Office, under the Fourteenth
amendment, Capt Dawson discussed the
several points involved at some length.
The question is covered by the opinion
of the Attorney General in Gen. Law
tons case, and further by tho fact that
Mr. Morgan was not an 'officer" when
he was required at Annapolis to take an
oath to support the Constitution of the
United States.
In regard to his own part in bringing
about the appointment Capt. Dawson
said that so far as possible for him to do
SO he desired to assume all the rospon-
sibility for the appointment. 81 asked
Mr.. Cleveland to make it as o favor to
; me-" he said, land hope he made it as
favor to me, understanding that
would not recommend man who did
not believe to bo faithful and. deserving
of the honor. have been accused Of
unfaithfulncss and treachery to the Dem
ocratic party on account Of this appoint
, ment. They have even said of me that
| am not citizen Of the United States
} that have been committing perjury,
therefore, every time that have voted in
! this State in nearly twenty years. There
is hardly anything that has not been
said to my dscrcdit. If had stolen all
: the money in the United States treas
ury, turned the State over to the Radi-
calls, and been proved to be deserter
from the Confederate army, could not
: have been blackGuarded worse than
have been because asked for the ap-
: pointmcnt Of kinsinan to the consul
} ship at Melbourne. think may say
that rendered some service to the
II Democratic party in South Carolina.
| My friend (Mr. Holmcs) has kindly re-
, ferrcd to the poor service rendered in
e the Confederate war; but it was not
| only III the Confederate service that I
t shed my blood for South Carolina. In
n the riots in Charleston, Immediately
n after the election in 1876. I was wound.
n ed by Radical negro and bear the bull
] let in my body to-day. In my paper,
year after year-commiting errors, no
doubt, at timcs-I have fought for the
interests Of the people Of this State. It
. was my good fortune to be ono OF the
first to advocate Mr.. Clcvelnnd's nomina-
ton. ] worked for his nomination here
and at Chicago. He was nominated and
!. elected. Would it have surprised any
, one, after that, if l had asked Mr..
Cleveland TO appoint me as counsul at
;, Melbourne. There would have been
y regret, perhaps, that should be willing
! to give up my profession, and set at
! naught my continuing opportunities to
! serve my people. 1t was because pre-
ferred to remain here; because ! felt
that could serve South Carolina better
y by remaining in journalism that I re-
!, fused to apply for office. I never held
one, never sought one, and would not
= accept one. But did ask that, if any
@ consideration was to be shown mo
, at all, il there was any obligation to me,
it should be met and cancelled by max
6 ing ono who has been as near to me ~
my own flesh and blood for twenty
o years and more, one whom hsve loved
as Jonathan loved David, the recipient
q Of this small honor.
And now, my friends, il you deter
: mine to-day that what did was wrong:
Z that this appointment was an improper
t one, you must in some sort weaken and
{. injure me and lessen the power Of the
J, paper which control for go6d
0 in this State. Is it necessary to do
: so Z Is it wise ? There are dark times
0 yet ahead Of US. There are struggles
r yet to como in South Carolina. We