Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1886-07-14
GENERA AL JOHN BRATT0N,

lTIOUl tuC ANO"o oiio ASAeA>'
In several papers of the State General
John Bratton has been suggested as a suit
able man to receive the Democratic nomi'
nation for Governor of Sonth Carolina. In
this connection a few words about the public
career of the man whom it is thus proposed
to honor may not be out of place..
After a career in the Confederate army.
which was CONSPICUOUS for bravery, fidelity
and efficiency, General Bratton returned
home, to take his part in the endeavor to re-
store the State, in some degree, to the pros.
perity which had preceded the wreck and
ruin of the war. In 1865 he was sent to the
State Senate from Fairfield, without oppo'
sition. Brief as was the opportunity thus
afforded-soon as did the Federal soldier
with his bayonet take possession of the gov
eminent of South Carolina-General Brat
ton impressed his colleagues and his constit-
uency with his fitness for his trust.
In the trying period from the enforce
ment of the Reconstruction measures to the
political revolution of 1876, General Bratton
was always at the service Of his people, IN
whatever capacity he might do aught that
promised relief from the burden of misrule,
robbery and outrage that made South Car
olina as conspicuous for the infamles lone IN
her name as she had once been for the
greatness of her leaders and the purity of
her government. In the movement result
ing in the assembling of the Taxpayers
Conventions, he lost no opportunity to
further the success of our oppressed citizen
ship, who saw in the Tax Unions the only
means of slowly dragging themselves out
of the condition in which the Radical party
had placed them.
For services rendered in times such as
our people experienced from 1868 to 1876
there could be neither reward nor the hope
of reward, save in the consciousness of duty
done under very trying circumstances
Patriotism was here subjected to its highest
test, without the Incentives which make
ambitious men patriotic. The men who
were true to the State in those times could
expect neither public honors nor popular
plaudits. Silent gratitude, even, seemed
John Bratton, served South Carolina then,
served her for Cardinals sake-not for their
w gain.
1t is easy to understand that in the dis
organized state in which the white people
found themselves in 1876, after every eX-
pedient had failed to bring relief from the
evils that beset them, the reorganization Of
the Democratic party was a difficult task.
The work Of enlisting the good people of
Fairfield in Y contest that promised little
else than difficulty, danger and defeat, was
no easy one. That duty was assigned to
John Bratton. The fruit of his labors-
ably assisted at all times by the County EX-
ecutive Committee and backed at last by
the good people of Fairfeld-was seen in
perhaps the most effective political organi-
Zation that has ever existed in South Caro-
lima. That organization was built up on
a sentiment-that sentiment which makes
'duty the sublimeSt word in the English
language" and which could only be called
forth by one in whose sense of duty, whose
fidelity to them, the people had the fullest
trust.
In the campaign of 1876 General Bratton
was likewise a member of the State EX-
ecutive Committee-where his character
and ability were recognized by those upon
whom devolved the duty of conducting a
political contest, the like of which was
never known in this country.
In 1880, General Bratton was called to
the craftsmanship of the State Executive
Committee, to take charge of a campaign
which promised to be a troublesome one. 1t
was conceived that there wa some grounds
to apprehend a break in the front which
our people had lately presented to the enc
my, and that John Bratton was the man to
avoid the breach if possible and heal it il
made. The success of that campaign, and
the support he had from all the Democracy
of the State showed that those who had
called him to the post knew the man they
had chosen.
In December, 1880, General Bratton was,
without any solicitation on his part, elected
by the Legislature to the important post OF
COMPTROLLER General of the State. It is need
less to say that he filled that office in a
manner altogether creditable.
In 1884, General Bratton was suggested
by good men in various parts of the State
for the office of Governor. The State Con-
vention passed no judgment on his merits.
A third man was, by a majority of the dele
gates, thought to be desirable, and the choice
was so made.
In 1884, the vacancy in the representation
of the Fourth District, occasioned by the
death of the lamented Evins, was filled by
the nomination and election OF Genera
Bratton for the uneXpired term. We v
it from those who know, that he was long
enough in Washington to impress himself
there as one of the soundest and strongest
men that have represented South Carolina
in the councils of the nation.
General Bratton's record, in all the places
to which the confidence of his people has
called him from the quiet labors of his farm
here in Fairfield, is that of a man who has
known no rule of conduct but that which
comes of sound judgment, keen sense of
duty, and an absolutely unselfsh devotion to
the people who have trusted him. Never
an ofice-seeker, he has held office only at
the call of the people. Nothing of a poll
tician, he has engaged in politics by way of
service to his people. ,
Tho nroeont Situation in This State is not