The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-17
From the Camden Journal.
PODulEsar E?lCdfinsns


We are no iactionist, yet, there are
some things in ctr State Government
which we should like to sec changed.
For instance the present mode Of elect
ing Electors for President and Vice
President, subjects the State to unnec-
escary expense, and Inconvenience
Livery four years an extra session of
the Legislature must be held for this
especial purpose, or the voto Of the
State is lost. This of course subjects
us to o heavy expense, and there is no
necessity for it.
The Legislature must either alter
the time Of its sitting, call an extra
session, lose the vote Of the State. or
give the election to the people, where
of right it belongs. 1t may be urged
in behalf of the present mode. that oil
these difficulties may bo removed by
altering the time Of the meeting of the
Legislature. This would subject us to
Inconvenience also, and reasons NAV
be shown why this change should not
be made. We do not however, upon
the plea OF Inconvenience to the State.
or from pccuniary considerations, urge
a change; these are only collateral
reasons, and do not involve in them
selves any importance, or touch the
principle. We are in favor of com
uniting TO the hands of the people the
management of this business, from
motives of higher character than that
of mere expedicncy, believing as we
do that free suffrage is consonant with
the true and genuine principles of lib
erty, and the groundwork and very
basis upon which all republican insti-
tu'ions must rest.
Let the people be educated! Call it
by whatever name you may; it is one
OF our texts, and one too, which we
shall ever take pleasure in urging up
on the minds of our readers. Call it
hobby-be it SO, it is good one. The
people should read, think, and act for
themselves. How deplorablc, and
humiliating is the ignorance of the
masses upon the most common and
simple matters Of our govcrnment.-
The people seem contcntcd to leave
the decision Of all these matters in the
hand Of others, who think and act with
out direct reference, in too many cases,
t" the good Of those whom they repre-
sent. "A liberal and enlightened
public opinion, whose appreciation is
the result OF mature wisdom, and
whose just condemnation is tempered
with generosity" This is the idea-a
Just sentiment, which can only result
from the people being educated. We
attribute much of the want Of general
intelligence among the people: to the
fact nearly all the important elections
hrc taken from them, and given to the |
Legislature. 1t may be urged that, by |
giving these elections to the people, We |
open the door for demagougcism much |
wider-,hat influences will be admit .
ted more injurious in their effects upon
society. We think not; word in
reply will suffice for this objection |
Those who are disposed, may now nc, |
the part of dcmagogucs to "a much n
greater extent they can deceive the |
people much more ctitctually than they
could under the plan we propose.
fit is urged, that already too many
elections are III the hands OF the people,
We ask where can this power more
rest TO deny it, is to strike |,
at once, blow at the very foundation
Of all democratic principle, to say that
the people arc not capable OF deciding
for themselves. Who then can decide! |
If such be the case, why let the people |
say who shall be their Clerks, Sheritls,
Tax Collectors Sea Let others more |
bo delegated with all au-
thority, to do all their thinking and
acting for them. Let tho people be-
come as plant clay in the hands of
skilltul pottcrs, who are to mould and
fashion them after their own notions
mere figures, by which the sagacio,ls
political arithmetician may make his
The people, if left to the !
bent of their own inclinations, will be
to do right.
The masses OF tho people of our
State, arc wofully deficient in knowl.
edge pertaining to our State atlairs.-
They have never relied upon them
selves, but nave taken too much for
orthodox, because leading men have
Taught them so. We know OF no rea
son why South Carolina should az here
with such remarkable pertinacity to
certain aristocratic notions peculiar to
herself, which makes it almost dis
tinct and isolated State from Others
which have tho same community of in
tcrcsts, and arc identified by common