The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-07-30
THE ANDERSON INTELIIGENCER.

lied. men who have integrity to desire
and courage to dare to do their duty
regardless Of consequences. It some
times happens that one vote in orr
representative assemblies decides the
policy of the government. That policy
may involve far-reaching, irretrieva-
BILE consequences in our land and in
our relationship with other nations.
suppose we send men who can be
corrupted, who will yield to improper
influences and the policy adopted
bring disgrace and disaster to our coun-
try. Then would the. people of South
Carolina TO large degree be RESPONSE
bic FOR the calamity, and especially SO
it the character Of the men were
known before election. And on the
other hand, one man Of character may
save his section and his nation much
shame end grave peril. Great, there
fore, is our responsibility in the
choosing Of men. Let us see to it
that, go far as we are able, only those
men shall be elected TO Office whose
past records guarantee shat if they
may not always act most wisely, GER
tainly they will always act most hon.
orably and righteously. The veteran
and Jhonored Senator Hoar Of DIassa-
ohusetts. recently speaking Of his
State and ours, said: II delight to
think, as I know the people Of South
Carolina delight to think Of these
States Of ours, not as mere aggrega-
tionsof individuals, but as beautiful
personalities, moral beings endowed
with moral characters, capable Of
faith, of hope, Of memory, Of pride, of
sorrow, of joy, of courage, Of heroism,
Of honor and of shame. Certainly
this is true Of them. Their power and
glory,a their rightful place in history
depended on these things and not on
numhers or extent Of territory" Mr..
Benz. Kidd, the able author Of Social
Evolution. and Mr.. Leoky, the illus
trious historian, agree in saying that
the prosperity, the growth, the power
and the happiness Of nations have
their foundation in pure domestic life,
in commercial integrity, in a high
standard Of moral worth and public
spirit,in simple habits, in courage, in
uprightness, and a certain soundness
and moderation Of judgment which
springs quite as much from character
as from intellect. If you would form
wise judgment of the future of a
nation, observe carefully whether
these qualities are increasing or de-
caying. And hear and heed we'll this
my friends: "Observe especially what
qualities count for most in public life.
Is character becoming Of greater or
less Importance? Are the men who
obtain the highest posts in the nation
Cor State) men Of whom in private life,
and irrespective of party, competent
judges speak with genuine respect?
Are they Of sincere convictions, of
consistent lives and of indisputable
integrity? 1t is by observing this
moral current that you can best cast
the horoscope Of nations" Now, these
are the words and the thoughts Of
men who have made q constant,
steady, scientific study of governm snt,
or human history and human develop
ment. It is wise, therefore, to attend
their testimony. And we saw it veri-
fed when efferescent, glory-loving
France went down in humiliation and
defeat before sturdy, duty-loving Eng
land. The people Of this county and
State this year are called upon to take
their stand as to these principles.
And let us remember the former days
those days Of which the distinguish
ed American historian, Geo. Bancroft
of Massachusetts,, could and did truly
write: "The public men of South
Carolina were ever ruled by their
sense Of honor and felt stain upon
it as wound" 1t is that which has
made our history glorious. And may
we strive now as never before to bring
our commonwealth back into the
spirit of Calhoun and McDnffie,
Hayne and Hampton. And let us
further remember that when we cast
our vote it Affects not only our county
and State, but also the very princi-
pies of dem9pratic government.
AS we review the history of govern
ments we find that the great lesson OF
the past is, what makes a nation
happy and great and keeps it 80 is
high sense of public duty, public re-
sponsibility and honor, civic right
enuanass and that vanaration Cor char