The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-17
From the Camden Journal.
Popular I;lccainsnS.

Popular Elections.
We are no inctionist, yet, there are
some things in our State Government
which we should like to see changed.
For instance the present mode of elect
ing Electors for President and Vice
President, subjects the State to unncc-
escary expense, and inconvenience
Livery four years an extra session of
the Legislature must be held for this
especial purpose, or the vote Of the
State is lost. This of course subjects
us to q 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 fthe present mode, that oil
these difficulties may bc 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 Inconvenience to the State,
or from Pccuniary considerations, urge
a change; these arc only collateral
reasons, and do not involve in them
selves any Importance, or touch the
principle. We are in favor of com
mitting to the hands Of the people the
management Of this business, from
motives of higher character than that
OF mere cxpedicncy, believing as we
do that free suffrage is consonant with
the true and genuine rinciples of Iib-
erty, and the groundwork and very
basis upon which all republican insti-
tutions must rest.
Let the people be educated Call it
by whatever name you may; it is one
ot our texts, and one too, which We
shall over 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
Illuminating is the ignorance of the
masses upon the most common and
simple matters Of our government
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 eases,
to 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
are 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--that influences will be admit.
ted more Injurious in their effects upon
society. We think not; a word in
reply will suffice for this OBJECTION
Those who are disposed, may now act
the part Of dcinagogucs TO i. much
greater cHtcnt-,hey can deceive tho
people much more clicctually than they
could under the plan We propose.
If it is urged, that already too many
elections are i'll the hands OF the people,
We ask where can this power more
properly rest TO deny it, is to strike
at once, blow at the very foundation
ofall democratic principle, to say that
the people aro 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, Sheritis,
Tax Collectors Sea Let others more
competent, bo delegated with all nu-
thority, to do all their thinking and
acting for them. Let the people be-
come rs plant clay in the hands Of
skiIliul pottcrs, who are to mould and
fashion them after their own notions
mere figures, by which the sagacious
political arithmctician may make his
caculations. The people, if left to the
bent of their own inclinations, Will be
disposed to do right.
The masses OF the people Of our
State, arc woiully deficient in knowl-
edge pertaining to our State ailairs.-
They have never relied upon them
selves, but have taken too much for
orthodox, because leading men have
Taught them so. We know Of no rea
son why South Carolina should at here
with such remarkable pertinacity to
certain aristocratic notions peculiar to
herself, which makes it almost dis
n
which have the same community of in.
forests, and are identified by common
ti>s Of consequently and destiny. We