The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-02-24

gence of the House for short time
longer. Having been exceedingly
unwell all the morning, I had not an.
ticipated this debate. Nothing
would have induced me to make a
single remark now, but that I had
determined since the commencement
OF the session that upon the very ear.
hest opportunity would be distinct.
ly understood upon those great ques.
tons which now SO much agitate. the
public mind. In order that I may
not be misunderstood, I ask gentle.
men to attend to the remark I am
about make. When I say / want q
fair, free fight in the next prcsiden.
tial canvass, mean that I desire
that the people may have some hand
IN arranging the preliminaries and
making the selection between the in.
dividuals presented as candidates for
office. | am very far from oljecting
to a candidate because he is the nomi.
nee of the Baltimore Convention. In
deed such nomination would highly
recommend him to my choice. Such
an expression of preference by that
body would demand and receive my
respect. lfhe should be sound, true,
and capable, frank and honest in the
declaration of his republican doc
trines, dcsirous for the reposc of the
country, and the faithful execution of
the laws, the fact OF his nomination
would recommend him to my conf.
dence and secure my jealous support.
But, Sir, the Baltimore Convention
might make nomination of those
who do not answer this 'descril ton
who DO not possess these qualifica.
tions; and l will not support any
such nominees. No party ties shall
induce me to perform an act by
which | lose my self respect. l am
not ignorant that all liberty-all that
is valuable in free governments
have been often lost agreeably to the
party par disciplins. An xhi '51 empty fa SHADOW "
takes the place of substance the
power transferred to the few from the
many, and the screws of party dis
ciplinc may be applied to crush all
who have independence to speak the
honest convictions of their own hearts.
Should they nominate q man who
dodyes votes, and who is not to be
found in his place when vital ques-
tions are to decided-whose letters
and communications require second
Daniel to interpret them or, like
the riddles Of antiquity, give employ
mcnt and reputation to second
Qdcpus for his skill in unrayclling
the mysteries which they contain; OF,
like the Delphic oracle, Which made
response to certain king, who in
qnircd whether he should 20 to war
with the Romans, in the following or
acular words ''lIis, rediJts, mn,,-
quanque pcyJis' or "You shall 80,
you Shall not return, you shall per-
ish." The inquiring king took the
first interpretation-he went, he did
not return, he perishcd. Other fol-
lowers Of the propoundcrs of oracles
have in recent times renewed the cx-
pcricncc of this ancient king-thcy
interpreted for themselves they
went, and did return, but sadl;; beat
ell in the struggle.
The handwriting on the wall and
the dream of Nebuchadnczzar we're
explained by the prophet; but in
these days we are without prophets
or priests. Experience must be our
instructor, and history our guide. |
desire matter offnct man, whose
heart delights in an honest dcclara-
ton Of his opinions; who will leave
plain men, like myself, in no doubt
as to his meaning. No convention
can have authority to discharge
candidate for the highest office in the
gift Of the people for such frank
and open avowal of his views. Tim
idity and reserve prcsupposc a state
No honest politician breads the dis
closure of the fixed convictions Of his
mind. There is captivating beauty
about the boldncss Of integrity. You
see it in the fcallcssncss, in the de.
meanor even of child who has nev-
er been dcpraycd by deception. Con-
scious purity of purpose desires no
conccalment. \ triumph of princi.
pie binds honest men together; but
woe to that party who are united cnly
by the system which derives its
strength from the desire Of plunder.
Should that Convention give us the
man who does not require and would
scorn to have q new version put on
his declarations one who will not
hesitate to declare that he holds the
republican doctrines of Mr.. Jefferson,
our acknowledged leadcr,--l say