The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1851-09-16
: Gou -a,ru QUE lsttbe Naau.,


| fo VI wv hilIS out3 uJ
adequate and practicable means, the
salvation of our institutions. l re-
member that, pending the election in
Charleston, q paper Of that city ac.
counted on Tuesday morning 70. the
meagrc vote of Monday, by reasons
of the torrents from the clouds on
that day but predicted that the
bright sky of Tuesday would multiply
them amply. The prediction failed.
1T was forthwith announced that SO
hstle division Of opinion prevailed
III Charleston that there was nothing
to arouse the mass. How stands the
matter now, in that quarter?
Certain writer's and orators dcprc.
cate these developments, and charge
upon such meetings as you have in
view the sin Of dividing this people
INTO parties. 1t is my purpose to in
qulrc, if this be an iiniquity; and if
So, who is responsible for it.
surely We may affirm, that the
members of the Convention arc not
aHerso to an accurate exposition of
the true sentiments aud wishes of the
puOiic. That, above all things, they
need; and they did not derive it from
the polls, in February last, unless it
be IN the emp.icst, most technical
and uncertain sense. Who, then,
complained and prayed, that there be
no strife, no division among us? Are
they not those who contrivcd a Con.
ventlon, after the mature wisdom of
ChcYcs and Barnwcll, had strongly
admomshcd against it, and after it
had been once defeated in the Repre-
sentatves house, and who ordained
The election in hot haste? Are they
not those who contriycd and managed
4 demonstration in May last, in
Charleston, which was intended to
supply the DEFICIENCIES Of that clcc.
ton; to give favorite Interpretation
to the rotund language Of the Con
vcntion bill-to the meaning of &C
neral welfare and the injunction 10
take caro- tLat this Componwcal.i,
shall Su!lt, 10 dcuimcmt, e nl!5;,
cncc the ac'io'. Of a minority Con.
vcntion III lavor Of 4 schc,4c hereto
fore hidden from the general public;
10 supply Git vas hopcd) substance
bone, muscle, artcrics-to tic
.torm that had been presented by the
election Of February? Have Mey
not, then, created the necessity upon
those who do not concur in tier com.
mcntaries upon language, in their
exposition Of fact, in their plan Of
statcsmcntsl1ip or policy, either 10 ac-
1uicscc in all, willie they do not ap-
prove or to speak out advcrscly.'
Is it asked why You did not speak
at the polls When ycn had the oppor-
tunity! The question can be an
swcrcl, and it cals be shown. think,
Why large majority did not speak
at all, also why, as | strongly suspect,
some Of those who did, knew not
What they spoke.
The election for members Of the
Convention was ordered to be held
on the second Monday in February
and day following held on the heels
Of the Adjournment Of the Lcgisla-
turc. The act ordaininy it, exhibit.
ed the Object in features colncly
enough features that the PEOPLE
had been accustomed to contemplate.
They showed forth a Southern Con.
grcss and Convention here to aid
that body, and to take care that the
Commonwealth received no dc,ri,
mcnt. If 4 lain mdn had actually
read it, and if time had been given
to the people to see it, or hear Of il.
Ca people who lad concurrcd III the
objects and recommendations Of the
Nashville Convcnt!on,) there was no
word likely to excite 4 suspicion that
more was meant than met the eve.
doubt if it will be denied bv any
one who is acquainted with the cyi
dcncc on the subject, that the carly
day oil election was fixed on the fol-
lowing considerations: mischief will
result from drlay-that is to say,
from discussion before the people
postponcmcnt will allay the icrvor Of
the public heat. Cur speeches here
and the presses have raised it to a
white hcat-lct us strike while the
IRON is hot ct US adopt Il solemn
proceeding, which, under proper
management by organized societies,
shall commit the State before discord
shall creep in and shake his shaggy
locks
Wei, q few attended the polls.
There members Of organized societies
were active. The mass of the pco
pie were qulcsccnt at home. Many
were ignorant that any election was
going on. None were disposed to
do a single act, or say a word, that.
at home OF abroad, could be con.
strucd into aid and comfort to