Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1901-05-25

q
ter all, it is mistake, and that have
been deceived by a mirage in the bleak
desert. I am human, and have my full
share of the frailty and vanity which
go with poor, weak human nature. 1
look back to some things that I have
said and done, and I know that I was
wrong, and 1 wish 1t were otherwise.
But, fellow citizens, twice within the
last three years I have felt that I was
very near the time when I would have
to stand before the bar Of just God,
who knows the secrets Of my inner
most soul, and I felt that he would
mercy have for petty frailties and
short -comings, and give me credit for
the earnest and honest effort, for the
sacrifices which I had made to serve
the best and highest interest Of my
state and country. I am not afraid to
meet my God and stand upon my pub
lie record-why, then, should I fear
any tribunal here below? I only wish
that my life as man was as sinless
public servant. Charges of corruption
have been rife in South Carolina dur
ing the past ten years, but my worst
enemies have never charged that dir
ty dollar has ever crossed the palm Of
my hand.
Fellow Citizens: To man who loved
society and that sort Of thing, a seat
in the senate may be a prize worth
having, but to me, it is Of no value
save to further the cause to which l
am devoting the best years Of my life.
I am in the senate for what can get
for South Carolina, not to further my
personal interests. Do you suppose
that I enjoy being fayed alive, and
called all sorts of pet names by the
growing, grumbling Gonzales, and the
whining, cringing, dyspeptic HemDhill?
1t does not worry me very much, for
NAL that will growl just for the pleas
ure Of growing, and another that will
whine, especially when milk is scarce.
There Is a good deal Of growing and
whining just now because Of few
Federal plums that have been dropping
around. but notice that 1t all comes
from the direction where none are
dropping or likely to drop. From OBJ
servation infer that there are a plen-
ty of Gold Democrats, Silver Demo-
Gratis, Bryan Democrats, Cleveland
Democrats, Mckinley Democrats, Till
man Democrats, McLaurin Democrats,
and Democrats none whom object to a
job under Uncle SAM"
Federal Patronage.
Now, fellow citizens, I want to say
one word on this subject. I do not
control, I do not profess to control,
do not wish to control, nor will be-
come responsible for the Federal pat
ronage in South Carolina. On account
of my liberal views, and what he Is
pleased to consider my patriotic stand
for broad American doctrines, the pres
ident has done me the honor to con-
suit me on certain occasions as to
South Carolina appointments. He has
done so, to my certain knowledge, with
Senators Morgan, Sullivan, McEnery,
and other Democrats. / appreciate 1t
beyond measure, for a wiser man, a
truer patriot, and more kindly Chris
tian gentleman, never occupied the
White House than William Mckinley.
I believe I have his confidence and
friendship, and there Is no treasure that
I value more highly. would not have
it and I could not retain It were I a
traitor to my state and people. He
honors me, because he knows as well
as any man living, how much I love
my native state. When he expressed
desire to be the president Of the whole
country and not Of a section, why
should 1 not meet him half way?
When he is willing that the patrons
who support a postofflce in South Car
olina should be consulted as they
are in Vermont, Massachusetts and
Ohio. why should I, as your senator,
stick pitchfork into his vitals?
All, fellow citizens, if have controll-
ed any patronage, 1t has been in the
r1h1io N not NV own No nanh-
ews of mine have been commissioned
in the United States army. I have had
no son drawing large salary, travel
ing this state at government expense,
manipulating political affairs for me.
Take the postoffice at Aiken, Of what
personal interest Is 1t to me who fills
it? 1t does not put a dollar into my
pocket and do not get my mail there.
I believe in the rule Of the people, and
I want to see the time come when the
patrons of the office, those who support
it, shall name the postmaster just as
they do the sheriff and clerk Of the
court. Who do you suppose the people
Of Aiken prefer for postmaster? A man
who is identified with the town, born
and reared among them, or citizen
of another state, with no interest in
the town or people further than to use
them for his own personal advantage?
Who is not even willing, after death,
to permit his dust to mingle with the
soil Of South Carolina, but had his
body shipped home to Connecticut for
burial, where I am told his family are
soon to follow him. I prefer one Of
our own people, either white or black,
to birds of passage, who invest no mon
ey here, and fly away when there are
no offices for them. Let it be under
stood that we gladly welcome any good
man who comes here seeking home,
one of our own people; we extend to
such a one the right hand Of fellow
ship, and he is entitled to all the hon
ors. social, political and commercial,
which his ability and character COM
mand. That is not what we mean by
"Carpetbagism' in South Carolina.
Some people, however, are SO disturbed
because the president has appointed a
man whom the people Of Aiken have
elected mayor Of their town twice, and
who is refined and courteous gentle
man. that they are preferring charges
against him in Washington. This Is
done for political purposes, and I we'll
understand it as lick at me, not Mr..
Chaffee. Who should be a district at
torney Of South Carolina? A bright,
energetic young man, raised up here in
this beautiful mountain city, or for
eigner and outsider? I admit, one Of
the best Of his class; but, fellow-citi-
zens. South Carolinians are good
enough for me. Now, when appoint
ments are made absolutely repugnant
to the wishes and the traditions of our
people, was the only one who held up
confirmation in the senate. Now
when a gentleman like Mr.. Chaffee or
John Capers. the son of Confederate
brigadier, with four Yankee bullet
holes in his body, now the bishop of
South Carolina, is made by the pres
ident, not for political purposes, but as
an indication Of his good will toward the
people not only of South Carolina but
of the South. I see a threat in the pa
pers that the confirmation is to be