The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-01-27
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sUMTERvILLE, S. O., AN ia 1sYs 3 a. .Is So.

constitution OF any otler State. !,
could not stand twelve months in
South Carolina with ruLlic attention
directed to it. For, the last thirty
years we have been in squabble
with the Federal Government, and
have lost sight of all the imrcrfec.
tlons of our own State government.
In every other State in the Union,
thc people have changed and altered
their constitution, and adnptcl it to
the present condition Of the country.
Massachusetts had convention of
the people in 1921, and altered their
constitution. Rhode Island adopted
new constitution in 1912, under the
apprehension Of n revolution, if they
did not make their form of govern.
mcnt more just and republican.
Connecticut formed new constitu.
tiou III 1918. New York has changed
her constitution several times since
the American revolution. In 1916
the convention at Albany adul ted an
entire new one, suited to the con,li.
ton Of the people and that great
State. The people Of New Jcrsy
made and adopted new constitution
in 1914. In 1888 the State Of
PENNSYLVANIA made a new ccnstitr-
ton. The State Of Delaware ii!
the same in 1891. Maryland amend,
cd her constitution, i'll regard to the
election and judicial districts, in
1872. Virginia has altered her
constitution twice or three times in
convention of the people OF that
State. 1T is well known that one
half Of Virginia is almost without,
slavery, and yet the white basis has
been adopted substantially for their
representation. In 1886 tho people
Of North Carolina held convention,
adopted amendments to their consti.
tuition, and made new apportion
mcnt Of their representation.
But we -wiiA not puSsue this -s,,t'-
icct any further. Enough las bcc,
stated to show that in all the other
States they are disposed to make
their constitution and basis Of repre-
scnta.ion couform to the situation Of
the State and the condition of the
people. In South Carolua alnc
where we boast so much Of equality
and equal rights, we arc unmindfnl
Of them in practice. If the rolili.
clans Of South Carolina are Cpl loscd
to republican principles, and unwil.
ling for one section Of the State to
have equal constitutional rights with
another, let them say so and pro
claim it abroad. If the Northern
States had the same undue political
influence i'll the Federal Government,
over the Southern people, which the
lower part Of South Carolina pos.
scsscs under onr constitution over the
upper part Of the State. ten thousand
swords would leap from their scab.
bards to redress the foul wrong.
The Constitution of South Carroll,
ma provides for its own amendment.
and provides for calling 4 convention
of the people to make new Ccnsti
tuition. In the carly history of the
State We have shown that the con-
stitution was altered and changed, i,
and new ones made to suit the
changed condition Of the people, and
the different sections of tie State.
A greater change has now taken
place III the relative condition of the
upper and lower country than ever
did before. We must change our
Constitution to meet it. Justice re-
quircs it and the people will demand
it.
But we are told that no evil has
resulted from this inequality in our
representation, We deny this as
sertion, and appeal to our legislative
records to sustain us in our denial.
I he election Ct Electors Of President
and Vice President by the people of
South Carolina has been defeated
ever and over again by this incqnal.
ity in our representation. The divis.
ion Of Pcn1lcton into two election
districts has been defeated tine after
time by the Parish Representation.
They are unwilling for Anderson
and Pickcns Districts to have Sen.
ators, although they vote five
thousand strong, whilst St. Thomas
and St. Dennis, with thirty or forty
votes, is entitled to o Senator! The
election Of Governor should be made
by the people, and is made by the
people in every other State in the
Union; but in South Carolina this is
impossible, whilst the present basis Of
representation continues. All Of our
political wrangling with the federal
government for the last thirty years
which has .paralyzcd the energies
and prosperity fthc State, originated
with the marshes. This was the