Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1840-10-01
miscellaneous.
From the YorkriNe (S. c. Compiler.
ELECTIONS.

l.
To elect a man to office, is to choose him
in preference to another. Election is the
act Of choosing or selecting one or more
persons from a greater number for any Of
flee; in other words it is voluntary pre-.
ference given TO one, or more, among 9th
ers. Public election, is the ceremony Of
public choice.
From The above definition, it appears
that in making all election the will is con-
cerned, therefore, there can be no election,
unless the will of a man makes choice.
In the civil institutions of our country,
fundamental principle is that the people
choose all their Offices either Immediately,
by an act oftheir own; or mediately, by
their representatives. Sothat no man can
be empowed to rule over us in any sense.
whom we do not choose; nor, laws cannot
be enacted aud enforced which we do not
approve, i, follows that ice the people 60
vern ourselves. This is an invaluable
blessing, and can be rightly appreciated
only by an enlightened and virtuous COM
munity. The price Of this privilege ar
CUES, its great value. Our fathers became
Impatient Of the unjust restraints and bur
dens which were heaped upon them; aud
being unwilling 10 suffer it longer them
selves; and least of all, to entail tie
evils thereof upon their postcrily, they de-
,ermined TO throw off the yoke of tyranny
at all hazards; and relying on the protcc-
ton of Divine Providence, mutually pledg-
ed to each other, their lives. their fortunes
aud their sacred honor in support Of their
declaration FOR independence. Very ma
ny valuable lives and fortunes were sacra-
feed on the altar of their country; and we
the children of the free are dul y called
upon to sustain and cherish that which was
committed to our care.
five abuse our right 10 choose men 10
office, we stand committed of a high Of
feuce against orr country. five neglec,
to attend at the time and place appointed
TO give our suffrage; or, if we be led by
partiality to vote orpersous unwhurthy the
sacred trust; or, if by prejudice wc deny
an office to the most whorIhy: and above
all, if we buy, or sell an office for The price
ofseIfish interests; we never can stand as
acquitted of treachcry before Cod, nor
man.
How then will the popular mode of cleo
pioneering stand the test! What, shall
fTeemcn he made stepping stones for the
slaves of Fame; or. the voiaries Of money!
Nay rather let the fawnin2 sycophant be
driven from our presence in disgrace, for
having conceived The thought in his heart.
to buy the Gift Of God aud price Of precious
lives, with batteries and lies; and least of
all, TO purchase with dram the votes Of
simple men.
Let every candidate stand upon his mcr-
IL; let him possess moral worth. There
are hut two great principles which prompr
men to act, first, the fear of God secondly.
sclfinteres'. lie who fears his God, aud
will deny himselffor the public good, cau-
not be a dangerous man; yet he may err
through ignorance; Therefore, let mental
ground of merit in him who would serve
the people. When VIC make our clroice
then lei us measure all our candidates by
this; viz: that they know what to do, aud
that they he good enough 10 do what they
know 10 be the best; aud let Us condemn
TO inramy and disgrace, him who offers to
rise to office by cunning aud deceit; thus
taking advantages cfIhe rice of The age,
10 serve his selfish dcsigus.
He who has not moral courage enough
10 stem the torrent of Il vicious puhlic'S
opinion at home, and take his stand on
principle; never can bc safe, nor true l.,
his trust abroad: because he carefully
watches the movinss oftIc rising Thoughts
in his colleagues, and whether these be-
wright or wrong, he will so with the strong
side. thus leaving tho weak side. where
truth often lies, aud who are in their ma
ture defencelcss, to join the strong who
defend themselves. VorER.