The Newberry herald and news. (Newberry, S.C.) 1884-1903, 1902-04-04
WYATT AIKEN. FOR CONGRESS
Something About Bim and His Fitness For
The Position.
Henderson Daily Mail.

the COlumuS Ol yOul FoAuoO1O PoPoA
to endorse the candidacy of the Hon
orable Wyatt Aiken for congress from
this, the third district, in the COM
ing democratic primary. Perpetual
ing as he does the good name of his
illustrious father, illustrating also
that faithful devotion to duty which
characterized his sire, he needs no
introduction at my hands to the peo
pie of this county. My only apology
for attempting to point to his clean
record and his fitness for congress
sionsl honors shall be that his own
tongue, unlike that of the small po-
litician of the day, disdains to pro-
claim in bls;ant tones the lavish
paeans of self praise. All honor to
his modest, honest soul; for, scorn-
ing the petty deceits and the wiles
of the political mystic maze, he pre-
fers rather to make his race race on
issues than one appealing to the pas
sions of partisans, to personal or
hereditary friendships, or to his own
magnetic, magnanimous personality.
I shall then not trangress upon his
prerogative to present the issues
upon which he will wage his battle
royal but shall direct attention more
especially to his record as private
man.
He was reared on a farm in Able
vile (now Green wood) county and
as farmer was always successful.
His talents however called him into
another profession in which it was
his pleasure to remain in close, con-
fdentlal elbow touch with his former
fellow -tillers of the soil. His deep
interest in their welfare was mani
tested at all times in practical
manner so that none ever doubted his
sincerity nor ever questioned the gen
uineness of his interest. For him
politics had no charm, he sought no
personal aggrandizement, he had no
desire for political preferment, but
by his merit he was called to act as
official court stenographer eighteen
years ago and has since then filled
the position with honor and credit to
himself and with eminent satisfac-
ton to the officials of the court and to
the public His uniform courtesy to all,
regardless of caste or fortune, have
wen for him, during the continuous
itinerary of eighteen years, golden
opinions in the minds of hundreds
who will be delighted to honor him
with their ballots. The race for con-
gress is not by any means of his own
choosing, for he has heretofore re
sisted the urgent appeals made by
his friends to allow the use of his
name but the pressure became too
strong, its spontaneity became too
evident and he was swept into the
race in spite of himself. Now that
he has accepted the standard, he will
make an aggressive race and win
ming race.
Not alone in private life has he
served his country but true to his
heroic nature aud patriotic soul he
volunteered in the Spanish war as
private ana shouldered his musket as
member of the Abbeville military
company, in which capacity he served
in the First S. G. V. I. Regiment one
month, when for meritorious services
he was promoted to Battalion Adju-
tant During the whole of his SER
vice he was Acting Regimental Quar-
termaster and it is worthy of note
that his accounts with the govern
ment, involving over 100000,
checked out to a cent. Here, as in
every other capacity, he served with
equal satisfaction to officers and men
and Eere also he endeared himself to
all with whom he came in contact
by his big-hearted generosity snd
thoughtfulness of the comfort Of the
sick. refer to this at risk Of his dis
pleasure, for am aware as are those
who witnessed and we're the re
cipients of his knightly treatment,
that it was his desire that his name
should not be known in connection
with his generous acts, but IN his
own unostentatious way
| Nun did nnnd hu stealth