Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1844-02-28

to this question, and afford each uspirant fan
and equitable decision of his merits, we pro:
pose that this election should go:directly be.
fore the people. 1t is before this tribunal tina,
the claims Of each competitor should be freely
canvassed and discussed. and the successful
candidate having the evidence of the known
preferences Of the people, would go into Of
fee with that confidence, and proud satisfaction,
which is so pleasing to all the hoblcr sensibili-
lies of our nature. tits due to the people, that
their choice for the highest Office in the State
should be known directly We profess to be
Democratic State, and why not LET The pr.m.
ary Offices go to the people, which is the es-
sence of Democracy. The perpelnity of our
Government depends upon the virtue and af'
iectlons of the people; and there can be no in.
fuence which can more certainly commaud this
attachment of the people to their government,
than proper enjoyment Of the high and just
right of voting for those who fill the highest of.
flces. 1t may be said that the tendency Of this
principle will serve 10 excite bitter party feel
nss, and organize the State into settled de.
termination to effect every thing by party, rather
than upon principle. That it would destroy
that harmony and concord which is SO desirable
to all classes Of society. Thisreasoning would
strike at the very foundation Of free and de-
mocratic government; because ii is made upon
tie presumption that the people are incompe-
tent for self government; that the privilege Of
volng for his excelency the Governor is not to
be committed to the common intellects of the
humber citizens Of the country. We maintain
that there should at all times exist us intimate
and direct connection between the people
and their representatives as practicable this
cnforces a strict accountability, and serves TO
correct all unjust measures, and resEains the
inclination 10 extravagunt appropriations. We
entertain belief that a proper enjoyment of
the elective privilege conduces TO the purity
and perpetuily of our governments itcheckS
the invasions of the ambitious, by removal from
Office; i. takes out OF the hands Of the vicious
and cXtravugant, the means which ,pamrer
their indulgences. 1t will he readily perceived,
that higher estimate of our country and i,s in.
.titutions and Of the nestmable value of lbar.
ty would5pervade all classes of society. Our
government is one Of voluntary association,
and demands from all incessant vigilance to
maintain its peculiar characteristics; it is the
policy of Aristocracy, aud all those opposed TO
Democratic government, to separate the peo-
ple by insidious advances and gradatons, from
proper control over their government, and its
officers; this is exhibited in the enactment of
indirect measures, which are the undonbted
instruments Of disguised tyranny, aud have for
their purpose an unjust exaston, which would
not be submitted to. if their odious character
was exposed. In the proposition to give the
election Of the Governor to the people, we are
sustained by the example of nearly every State
in the Union. Il further appears to US, that
it ould be advantageous to the public in
,erest, that the powers of the Governor might.
with propnety be enlarged, and the tenure of
his office should extend to fonr years. or re.eli-
gible after the expiration of two years, this
would give time for the completionlof any sys.
tenn of measures, which his wisdom might sug-
gest or the wants of the country require. We
are glad to see you Mr.. Editor, manly assum-
ing the position we have endeavored to main.
tain, and we assure you Of the cheerful sup
port of TURKEY CREEK.