Year: 1874

honest is ne eapaDle IL He ldlGului w A'e
publican principles? may my tongue cleave
to the roof of my mouth.


Gentlemen of the Convention, the feeling
which is strongest in my breast at this moment
is not that of personal eation, but of the vast
responsibilities and the almost infinite difficult
ties which will attend the discharge OF the
duties to which this nomination will call me.
see around me in this State condition OF
society which in many respects is dePlorable
The effects of the great struggle which ended
nine years ago, are still visible in many forms:
The two races which Providence has placed
upon this soil are still, to- great extent stand
ing aloof from each other That harmony Of
action and of feeling which is essential to the
prosperity of any political community is, in a
large degree, wanting here. The track OF the
Republican party, in its administration OF the
affairs of this State during the past six years,
is covered all too thickly with mistakes and
misfortunes. To-day, there are mutterings Of
coming contentious and disorders. At such
moment, your summons to public duty reached
me. Must not be possessed of most over
weenng confidence, if I did not feel that all
my ability and all my zeal for the public vel
fare might prove too weak to overcome these
difficulties, and to override the storms which
seem to be gathering along our political and
social horizon? Nothing but the strength OF
an honest purpose and the confidence which
feel that l shall receive the support OF all
the best men of my party, as we'll as the NOR
al support of all good citizens in the course
which 1 shall pursue, could tempt me to ven
ture upon tile great duties which lie before
me.


Gentlemen, the title which will belong to
me when the suffrages of the people shall
have confirmed your work tonight, will be that
of Governor of South Carolina. Although
the candidate of the Republican party, and
bound, as I shall ever feel myself to be, to the
strictest fidelity to that party in all legitimate
party interests, I shall hope never to forget
that 1 am Governor, not of a party, but of a
whole State. 1t is the right of every citizen
of South Carolina to have an honest admins.
tration of public affairs. No political oppo-
stion can ever justify us in refusing to any
citizen of South Carolina Of whatever race or
party, the right to an honest expenditure Of
public funds, and an impartial administration
of impartial laws.


1t is not my province to mark out specifi-
cally the platform of principles and policy
upon which we shall enter the coming cam
paign ; but cannot forbear now to say to you
that no platform which does not commit us
irrevocably and solemnly to the duty of re.
ducing expenditures to their lowest limit, of
administering the public funds honestly in
the public interest, of electing competent pub
lie officers, of filing the local offices of our
counties and townships with honest and faith.
full incumbents, ofguarding our language and
our action so as to allay rather than rekindle
the flames of past controversies, Of directing
the attention of our fellow citizens to the hopes
of the future rather than to the memories OF
the past, can bring to US party success or po.
litical honor. propose for myself, while in
sisting that our political supremacy entities
US to the exclusive administration OF public
affairs in this State to remember with equal
fidelity that our principles and our duty bind
US to the higher obligations of administering
all our public trusts solely for the public
good. If we shall do this, then our children
and our children's children, here in South
Carolina, will be permitted to WELD, without
interruption or dispute, the political power
which is ours to-day. If we fail to do this,
the days of our political supremacy will quick
ly be numbered.


Gentlemen, there is one other matter upon
which must say one word. No man in the
office of Governor of this State can redeem
the reputation of orr party and restore good
government to our State, unless the legisla-
tive department of our government shall be
in the hands of honest, intelligent and patri-
otic men. That duty you are hereafter to
discharge And I warn you tonight, that
your platforms will be empty words, your
nominations will bring no honor to your par
ty, and your political success will be less than
worthless, unless you place behind your can
didate for Governor the evidence of your wis
dom and truth in the nomination and election
of your best citizens for members Of the Leg
islature. Do that, fellow-citizens; put be-
meath my feet platform whose voice shall be
for honest government and genuine reform ;
associate with me in the various public offices
men Of integrity and intelligence; above all,
fill your legislative halls with ability and in
tegrity and then I pledge you, under Gods
good providence and guidance to the extent
of my humble abilities, to bear aloft the ban
ner of your party, through the coming sun
shine or storm, high above all danger OF de-
feat or dishonor.


Again, Mr.. President and gentlemen, [ re-
new my thanks. Ipledge myself and | sum-
mon you, one and all, to the faithful and hon
orable discharge of the great duties which lie
before us. Success and duty lie in the same
path-the path of honesty, of economy and
of fidelity in the administration Of all our pub
lie trusts.


PLATFORM OF THE REPUBLICAN PARTY.