The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-02-17
toiled TO give them nttcranco and
transit. Southern Press.


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SHALL THE PEOPLE RULE?-This
question, anomalous rs it may an
pear, is one that deserves to be con.
sidered and answered ty every cit
izen of South Carolira. In theory,
ours is u government of the people,
and they have generally. since its
establishment, been accustomed to
rule. But recent events demonstrate
that great and fearful change in
this respect is likely to be Effected.
The theory still exists in all of its
original beauty, but, in fact, the
power Of the people is rapidly be-
Ing usurpcd Ly irresponsible political
cliqucs; and unless the rccupcrativc
energy Of a too dormant ralriotism
is speedily aroused to tho vindication
of popular rights, the last vcstisc of
our boastcd freedom will have dis
appeared forever. The truth of
these remarks might be illustrated in
many ways, but by none more for
cibly than in a review of the history
of a certain political association,
falsely dcnominated ga convention Of
the people," that is to assemble in
Columbia on the fourth Monday in
April noxt. We say political asso-
citation, and can apply to it no higher
cngnomen-nay more, it is not only
a political, but partizan association
-bcgottcn by party, brought
forth By a party, nurtured, reared
up, developed and invested with the
cnsiyns of power alone by party.
1t cannot, with any Iropricty, be
termed convention of the people.
1t was never demanded by them. 1t
was not called by thcm-the dele
gates were not elected by them the
time for its meeting was rot fixed by
their authority---but all these things.
We're effected over thc &eeads of the
people and against their will, un-
der the secret management Of certain
political wire pullcrs. All the
people have had to do with it; from
the commencement to the last act Of
the drama, was to set the seal Of
their condemnation upon it OH the
second Monday of October last. This
thew did in manner not to be mis-
understood, but the political man
ayers have determined, it would
seem. that the people shall no longer
rule. The convention is to meet in
opposition to their will-ovcr the
ruins of violated constitution
destitute of all legitimate au-
thority, legal o: moral, to do any
single act of binding ciiicacy-row-
erless, therefore, for good, and per.
chance fruitful in cvil-indicating,
but too clearly, that what was, in the
Judgment Of the people, begun
in farce, may end in deep laid
tragedy. Things standing with us in
this condition, it bchoovcs the mas
scs to arouse themselves from the
prevailing .ctharGy, and look a
round and see whether there be any
means whereby the political wire
pullcrs, who arc "strutting their
day upon the stage" may be divcstcd
Of the fearful power they have us
urped, and the people reinstatcd in
their ancient rights.
The Convention is to meet, for
what purpose is matter Of profound
mystery. Neither the Secession
Caucus, which determined to as.
semblc it, nor the Secession ma.
.jority in the Legislature, which
fixed the tue of its meeting, ven
tnrcd to utter in the light Of day one
word, in explanation Of the objects of
its call. And since that time, in
obedience, it is supposed, to orders
from head quarters, disseminated in
the secret Circular heretofore pub
lished and commented on, the Sc.
cession press, and Secession or
ators, have been silent as death on,
the subject Of Federal Wrongs, and
State remedies. This silence has,
as it was doubtless intended to do,
produced cul pable indifference to
their own interest, on the part Of our
whole people, and whilst they are in.
dulging in ca little more sleep. and a
little more slumbcr," the match, is
in all probability being prepared,
IN secret, that is to set off the mag.
azinc hidden beneath their highest in
forests, as q people. A large ma,
jority of the Convention elect, is in
favor of the separate Secession Of
the State, from her Southern sis.
ters-a large majority Of the cx.
lstlns Legislature, and the Executive
department Of tho Government, is of
the same political faith, and with
these advantages in possession, and a
set OF ruling spirits at the helm, rem
dered so desperate by defeat, as to
deliberately perpctratc the secret