The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1852-08-03
Where we Arc apsd What we
Should QSs,.

G5hVtaA0 kOVs
Our age is one Of progress. An
eager spirit seems to be all pervading.
Enterprises, which few years since
would be held visionary. now lie with
in the reach Of a moderate effort. Our
sails which 50 long hung idly Tapping
the mast, have caught the inspiring
gale. Our barqlc SO long becalmed,
wakes herself up for the race. Like q
mcttlcsome courser she has bounded
forth with q gay start, and we need no
dread competition from any quarter.
a like spirit has been infused into
our political position. Our State is no
longer in that inactivity which could
never harm her foes and would never
save her people. Achilles nursed his
wrath while he slept in his tent. But
while he nursed that wrath his cause
was defeated. 1t was only when he
joined his friends, that he became use
till to himself, or to those with when
he had Il common cause.
This communism of our own is now
thoroughly understood. Its existence
and and necessity are no longer de-
bateablc. 1t has passed now into a
fixed principle. and hcncetor,h is to be
the beginning, not ut once, the end of
our argument. In living for ourselves,
we must live for others. The political
relations of nations, occupy the place
OF those natural affections, which knit
So close the syn,puthies of men, in their
domestic capacities. Politically, we
are not alone, but part of tamily.-
And from that relationship, are derived
certain benefits, and result certain du-
ties, clear and positive.
Whatever may tend to increase
these benefits, and enable US most ef.
fectuully to discharge these duties, be.
come imperative on us. And to this
point, We propose to address ourselves
briefly
The benefits are those which result
to any people, from being sustained
and protected by political nnion
with others, who live under similar
political system. 1t clcatcs an alliance,
offensive and defensive. 1t developcs
a condition of the greatest security in
sril, hts antl i'm
this promotes their political happiness.
The duties, therefore, arc not only to
preserve these invaluable ends, but SO
far as We can, to strengthen and i'm
prove them.
Now the great defect in our politi-
cal condition is, tina, the bond which
should unite most closely Me people
Of our State with the s,eopie of the 9th.
er States, is wanting. Nay, the bond
which should unite us at home, each
with the other, is not TO be found. In
South Carolina. there cannot be any
union between any two in one matter
OF the highest consequence to the pub
lie veal OF course there cannot he
any union with those outside the State.
We will be a$kcd why? The answer
is ready: 1He people Of SouM Curoli.
ma hare no po'cc IN the election Of the
hiyhcxt ctfce IN tic Union. Practical
iy, they have 40 more to do with the
choice of the President of the United
States than with the election Of the
same officer in France. They were as
much felt i'll the late election for Louis
Napoleon, as they will be in that of
Franklin Pierce. In every portion OF
the world, the right of the people to be
heard IS being conceded. 1t must be
SO. With the general spread of intel
iigcncc, you may as well expect to per.
suadc the people to live with tcttcrs on
their limbs, rs with unnatural restraints
on their privileges. If money is to
be raised, from them come the taxes.
lfwar is to be wagcd, from them come
the blows. From them, and the
depths of them, come those who, with
native, untaned strength, display their
immeasulabie superiority over the
children OF cnervating luxury, as dis.
tinctiy as docs the tree OF the forest
ever the exotic Of the green house.
his change, then, must come. It, is
needed for our benefit it is as much
needed, because OF the benefit it will
do i'll allowing us to act in combina.
tion with others. With the return OF
every four years President is elected.
The highest official in the world
is selected from the people. 1t
is an event which engages the
attention of the world. With the
exception Of this State, the people OF
every State meet, discuss, decide, and
vote. Here, we need not meet; it is
Idle to discnSs--usclcss to decidc-be-
cause, zee cannot rote! A people ready
to assert their right to their tiecdom-
that freedom always put i'll issue when
Chief Ruler is to be eiected-and
yet that people not alloced TO uote!
We do not propose to discuss the
reasons as they are called. why this is
SO. There is no reason for it. There
can be no reason why, if people
claim 10 be free, they should be de,
barred the highest and most impor.
tant privileges that result from free.
dom. Nor need we give reasons, why
the privilege of voting for President,
should belong to the people. 1t is
enough to say, ii . their right; and il
they are not pure Or in lligcnt enough
tn bp fIao e -