The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1893-07-07


Of the Spartanburg Heroid: Your editorial
copied in the State Of tho 22d inst. gives me
opportunity that might otherwise not have
hal Of replying I, criticisms made from
time TO time, touching my action In regard
~ .:.s FEDERAL appointments from this State.
You say among other thiogs: 1f Senator
Butler desires 10 give sli his favors to TILL
NANTES. be shoull recognise those In good
aud regular landing" Again you say
$50 far as we can see, Senator Butler does
not want the Conservatives to support him.
He seems 10 DO depending entirely upon his
ability TO induce enough men to desert his
opponent"
Iassumc, Of course, that you do not want
10 misrepresent me, but the above indicates
very clearly that you are not informed as TO
what have done and propose to do about
the Federal appointments. Ysu will thcro.
fore be good enough TO allow me to state my
position for myself aud in my own way.
In the first place, had but one appoint
;::ec. - :5aae in my own right, clerk Of the
Interstate commerce committee, Of which
em chairman. | gave that to Dan'l G.
Roper, of Marlboro, who had been strongly
recommended to me, by the Hon. G. s. Nc
Call and other friends as gentleman Of
high character and ability and fully qualified
for the duties Of the position and l am
gratifed TO be able to sny he has measured
fully up 10 the endorsements givsn him.
Let mo sny in passing that since We have
been allowed secretaries or clorks, l have
selected young men who were struggling 10
complete their education and thereby afford
theus .!:c opportunity omcred by the busi-
ness colleges and educational Institutions in
Washington. They have opportunity to do
this, by nvailing themselves Of iimc outside
of the hours for their official duties. II is
source Of much qualification TO me TO
know that in this way have boen
able to aid rix very deserving young men
who availed themselves Of the privilege TO
study in the best schools, TO which they
would not have otherwise have had access.
Mr.. Roper is the seventh and he too in.
tends taking n course in business college,
which will be Of much value to him when
he has completed it. SO much for that, the
only appointment have at my disposal.
In regard to those appointments where
my province is only lvising, have sought
TO know three things Of applicants who have
asked Tor my endorsement First, whether
they are Democrats; second, whether they
are qualified, an !, third, whether they are
persons Of good character and standing.
In the absence of personal knowledge
we are sometimes pised as to these qualif-
cations; but have not yet recommended
man or woman not personally known to
me, who has not been strongly endorsed by
friends aud neighors ut home. If, there
fore, there should be any mistake the frat
endos must be held responsible.
In making my recommendations | have
not stopped 10 enquire. and do not in the
future expect to stop and enquire. - what
political faction in South Gan oina the nppli-
cnnts belong. IL is sufficient for me to
know they are Democrats. arc qualified and
Of good character. If you can inform me
of any case where | have departed from
this rulc, shall b. very much indebted,
and promise upon satisfactory showing to
Withdraw my endorsements, Jut cannot do
so upon vague nnd underlined insinuntions
You say l do not seem TO want the sup
port Of the Conservatives. | want the sup
port Of every good man in bringing about
n reconciliation and better feeling among
our people, but do not want the support
OF any man who cannot give it freely and
censcicntiously. If it is expected Of me,
before ] can be reelected to the Senate, that
shall enter into every local squabble and
fun the flames Of bitterness and pickering
which have brought 80 much humiliation
= upon the State, l shall have TO disappoint
those who expect it, aud IF the penalty is to
be defeat, l shall take defeat.
l shall go ahead and do my duty to all
the people rs l see it, and if the manner of
its performance IS not acceptable to my
friends, | can only regret il and take the
consequences. Neither my life nor happi-
ness depends upon my reelection 10 the
Senate. In due time | shall give to the
people who sent me there an account of my
stewardship. | shall do this with frankncss
and without reserve, and if il is not salts
factory, the people can send somc one to
take my place. This is not only their right
but their duty. The office does not belong
TO inc, but TO the people, aud they can and
will make such dispositions Of it as they
please. My own conscience tells me | have
tried to discharge my duty faithfully; |
don't know what other people may think oft.
Our people arc unhappily divided into
something like hostile camps Suspicion
Misrepresentation, falschood and sclh.hness
have take: the place Of c,niicncs, unity of
purpose, sclf-dcnal and State pride. My
efforts shall be cxcrted to restore good feel
ing and confidence To effect more tolerant
and forbcaring spirit. No people can ever
enjoy religious, social or polItIc;l freedom
with the spirit of intolerance 50 rampant rs
that which prevails among us. We must
learn TO respect honest differences of opin-
ion; we must settle those differences in the
for ans of reason rather than in tho spirit
Of vitupcration and abuse; VIC must throw
g.: the ihraidom of bossism, secret political
cn'als. s:""ggiing defiance oi pubic senti-
m, at aud public law before we can reach
- pi'tuC VI Sh'iSsh'oH'u p'oStCNS 81 essen
la. 10 our we'll being a a people.
This contamination is OF lar more impor-
trncc than my reelection or the election of
u: any man TO tho United States Senate
Ia, State can and will survive my defeat
;n 80 will |. But she will not recover for
II cneration from the defeat of the efforts of
gool men to bring about harmony and good
e ling and good order among our rcoplc.
Some Of my friends expect me to recon-
mand for office none but Conservatives. 1t
ipes not seem to me that this would be wise.
recognize among the men Of what is known
~ the reform faction as good Democrats as
my in the country, with qualifications and
characters as good ~ the best. Many Of
the same men rode with me on the field of
battle. On the march | WAS by their side
and they were by mine. In the terrible
ordeal Of reconstruction AMI redemption of
South Carolina, a feeling Of comr;. ship
grew up out OF the common trisls and suf-
ferings, which nothing can wholly eradicate
can not turn my back to these men simply
because they see fit 10 exercise their highest
privileyp Of II 1ifFarinu r,l;