The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1893-09-19
n TALK OF THE FUTURE.

| III senator Butler is Defeated, He Will
Take It Phiiosophically-He is Not
the champion OF Any Glass, or
Sect, or Condition OF Men"
Charlotte Observer.
| WASHINGTON, D. c., Sept. 9.--Among
the letters found in the possession Of
Z. +. Barrett, OF Spartanburg, S. c.,
was one from Senator Butler, of which
the subjoined is q copy. 1t may be of
interest to the readers of the Observer,
in view of the senatorial contest now
opening between the Senator and Gov.
Tillnan. 1t is o characteristic letter {:
UNITED STATES SENATE,
| WASHINGTON, d. c., Mar. q, 1893.
| "Mr. G. z. Barrett, Spartanburg, S. c..
DEAR SIR-I am in receipt of your
letter of the 18th instant and thank
you for the information conveyed.
happen to be in the position of man
who does not care much, in personal
sense, how political events in the
L may have had has long since been
gratitied, and my participation in
politics hereafter will be directed more
by sense of duty than from any
personal qualification or preferment.
III L were man of fortune, or even
of comfortable competence, | could
afford to exploit in the field of politics
without much concern, but | never
learned how to steal or make money
out of official station and consequently
am poorer man than when | entered
political life. OF course | am not in
different to the salary, for my exclu-
sive devotion to my public duties has
cut me off from all other sources of in
come, of account, and I am now largely
dependent upon my salary for support.
When came to the Senate 1 was MAX
ing a comfortable living from my pro-
tession and laying up something, and
L believe that If were to devote the
remainder of my active life to business
pursuits L could recoup what have
lost, in q measure at least, and hence
private life has no terrors for me.
You may rest assured of one thing:
l shall conduct my own campaign in
my own way. I shall go before the
people face to face, and give an account
of my stewardship. Ifthey think some
one or else !. can represent them better,
why, it is their duty to say so. AS you
suggest, [ have been here sixteen of
the best years of my life, which,
devoted to something else with the
same fidelity, would have left me an
hundred per cent. better off, fir ancially.
This experience qualities me to repre-
sent the people more efficiently and in
telligently than ever, but if they think
otherwise, as | have said, | shall make
no complaint.
For the last two campaigns have
been prevented by the party managers
from engaging in the public discus
sions before the people, and, as now
believe designedly. Hereafter | shall
ing. | shall discuss public measures
and leave personalities for blackguards
who substitute vituperations and mis-
representations for argument because
of the poverty of their ideas and the
shallowness of their intellects. My
public record is public property, but
will not tolerate personal abuse.
The truth is, that which most
needs to be reformed in South Caro-
lima, as well as in some other States,
is the spirit of intolerance on account
of differences of opinion. There mover
can be politically social or religious
freedom in any country so long as
honest differences are not permitted
the English excel all the people of the
world, arising from the fact that they
are the best educated people in the
world.
u have reached that time of life
when man is inclined to take
philosophical view of political even
Qualities: L do not permit myself to
expect much and therefore can accept
with reasonable composure whatever
may happen. l shall go right straight
ahead as | have always done, whether
in military or civil life, doing my duty
as see it, and leave the consequences
with the people, where they belong.
have always indicated their rights
without regard to class or condition,
and frequently at the sacrifice of my
own; and it is too late for me to hedge
now, If felt inclined, and claim to be
the champion of any class, or sect, or
condition of men. cherish the good
will of my countrymen, and especially
those of my own State, above every
other consideration in life, but 7 can
not surrender my own self-respect for
the applause of million of men.
=" In my battles of life have never
allowed selfish or personal considera-
tions to control my actions. | have
stood for the people and have been
sustained by the people. Rings and
cllques have never attempted to direct
me, and | appreciate with the keenest
sensibility the honors and distinctions
the people have conferred upon me.
Whether / have proven faithful to
the trusts with which | have been en-
dowed, careful examination of the
record must determine.
Accept my thanks for your express
sions OF kindness and consideration.
Yours very truly,
(Signed) IN. G. BUTLER"