The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1886-06-29
The Congressional Race. a Correct
Position.

~ good deal has been said by certain
newspaper and individuals in regard to
the position taken by Judge Cothran as
Il candidate FOR Congress from this Dis
trict. 1t is stated in substance that he
must come down from his present i'll
dlcial position and enter the race as
others intend to do. 1t is farther said
that his services will not be 'dcmand-
ed" by the people. unless he seeks the
place. Who is right? Is the idea to
prevail that n man shall not he elected
to an office, without a scramble for it.
or without seeking it? 40 this COM
pieXion has it come pr perhaDs it
would be proper for those aspirants, who
have not been in public life. whose posi-
tons have not afforded an opportunity of
determining their fitness for high public
otiice-to go amongst those whose
votes they desire, in order that an esli-
mate may be formed Of their judy
mcnt, aud of their general ability to fill
properly the office they seek. II. on
the other hand, one is known to his
constltuentS-lf his general capacity is
admitted though he ma not be par &C.
ceLt@nce in every particular. he is not
called upon to make II canvass for the
purpose of securing his election. The
ability to elrctioneer is not the test of n
candidates ability to perform the duties
OF the office to which he aSp;Ies, and we
assert that he who seeks most diligently
an office does not thereby give evidence
that he is striving to serve his country
Tor his country's sake, but it may rea-
sonably be presumed that the %virtuous
thought. "can | fill this place better
than others" has not been uppcrmost in
mind.
Surely the political aphorism, 'the
office should seek the man
and % the man the Office"
has fallen into %.'innocous dcsne-
tude,' n the reverse Of that saving i,
the test OF fitness ana taliSnan OF sue
cess! What we say is this, neither the
man who wants Office and seeks it prou-
erly, nor the MAJ who is willing TO
hold office, hut who does not seek it bv
electioneering for it, is to be condemned
tor thut reason alone. Is he fit, capable
and honest ?-thcSe should be- the texts.
No amount of sophiStry cali invent any
other reasons for clcvaling one to public
office, which is l public trust. If he is
elected on any other grounds then voters
Stulufy themselves. So. if Il candidates
ability is already known and it is desired
that he should go up higher, it is de-
grading politics and craftsmanship to
say that he shall not be elevated, be-
cause he will not strive to be elected as
others may choose to do. There are
times when al active canvass NAV be
necessary political enemy may be in
the field-but in n race between friends,
all democrats, none should be elected
but those best fitted to fill the Office.
and none will then be defeated who de-
serve promotion.
This is not written in the interest of
Judge Cothran's election, but for the
purpose Of maintaining what is thought
to be a correct political principle, anu
certainly to say the least, a principle
that should not be condemned. If the
Judge can stand the tests indicated
let him be elected, if not, hisservices
will not and should not be demand
ed. The word d,mand, was not used in
nm offensive sense, as an unbiased read
ing OF the letter in which it occurs will
snow it has rather the meaning Of de-
sire. A~pprvuIr