The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1852-05-26

aioof, apparently indifferent spectators in a |
contest of such vital Importance 70 us and to
the whole South. To this act of our Lesis-
lature may be attributed the exceeding lack
of interest ever manifested by our people in
this important election. Exertion is useless
when we are denieda voice in the NATTER
We are seldom or never represented in the
Democratic Convention, and although our
vote might be ofthe highest Importance in Sc
curing suitable nominee, still our wise legis-
laters persist in proclaiming strict neutrality!
We have denounced Virginia, Georgia, and
other States, as being untrue to the cause of
the South; and they can with equal justice
and propriety, accuse us of being indifferent
to their interests, when we refuse to assist
them in procuring n candidate for the Presi-
dency, pledged to support her domestic in
stitutions.
In every other State in the Union, the
election of Electors is made by the people
In South Carolina alone, is this anti-republi-
can practice continued. We are told that
this system has ever worked well, and that
the people are better capable of judging, in
this matter, through their representatives,
than within themselves. This last is indeed
poor compliment to the people of South
Carolina; but supposing it to be true, is the
present mode the one best calculated to ad-
vance their knowledge in Federal politics +?
Is it probable that citizen will evince any
considerable interest in the result of an cleo
ton when he is denied the right of voting I?
Will it inspire him with confidence in his
own powers of discrimination, and operate as
an Incentive to greater and more Jealous
perseverance,! On the contrary, it is calcu-
1 lated to retard rather than advance the in
telligence of the State. Let the present obi
Gus system be abolishcd-restore to the citi-
zen the right which unquestionably be-
longs to him-let him feel that he is instru.
mental in electing the Chief Magistrate OF
the Republic, and it is scarcely probable
that he will support a candidate whose feel
,ngs and interest are not identified with his
own. 1t is direct insult to the State to
intimate that we are less intelligent, or less
capable of governing ourselves than the peo-
pie of North Carolina or Georgia; and |
would say to Carolnians, vote for no man
to represent you in the Legislature, who is
not willing to restore to you your constitu-
tiona rights, and award to you privileges,
which are granted to the citizens of other
states. AT your next election, when politi-
cal aspirants are counting your favor, let
them declare themselves willing, or not, to
establish this anti-republican measure, and
give you right to vote for President of the
United States and Governor of South Caro-
lima.
Many talented men of our State advocate
the right and urge the policy of giving these
elections to the people--arnong whom is B.
+. Perry, amember of the Legislature from
Greenville District, and Editor of the South
ern Patriot. Mr.. Pcrry's able efforts in this
natter, in the Legislature and elsewhere
deserves the highest enconiums, and should
be rewarded by the citizens of his native
State and District. From an article or
this subject in the Southern Patriot, is taken
the following facts and sensible remarks -
But we are gravely told that no harm has
yet resulted from this usurpation and anti
| republican feature in our State government.
This has ever been the plea of tyranny, and
the excuse of usurpers 1t is, however, al
ways untrue, and is so in the history of our
Presidential elections. In several instances
the vote of South Carolina has been cast for
candidates for the Presidency, who would
never have received the votes of the people.
In 1900, the Legislature of this State voted
for Aaron Burr for Vice-President in opposi-
ton to Charles Cotesworth Pinekney, who
was native citizen of South Carolina, and
who had nobly defended and honored his
native State, in war and in peace, Mt home
and abroad! In 1882, the Legislature voted
for Gov. Floyd, of Virginia, for President, in
preference to General Jackson, the ilustri-
Gus, native-born son of South Carolina. In
1886, the Legislature voted for Mr.. Man
gum, of North Carolina-a man wholly un-
known to the people of South Carolina-in
preference to the regular nominee of the
Democratic party, Martin Van Buren, who
received the vote of the State four years af.
terwards. In lS40, the Legislature refused
to vote for Col. Johnson, Of Kentucky, for
Vice c-President, although they voted for Mr..
Van Buren, on the same ticket! On one oc-
casion, we remember the Legislature spent
awhole day in determining whether they
should vote at all for President!
If the election of Electors had been made
by the people, would they have voted for
Burr instead of Pinckney! Would they
have voted for Floyd instead of jackson? {?
Would they have voted for Mangum instead
Of Van Buren or Judge White? In our
opinion, the people of South Carolina would
have voted differently, in all these cases.
The Legislature may be under the influence
of a clique, and are easily managed The
people could not be so easily controlled by
the wire-pulling politicians. Hence the
strong reason why there has been such op-
positien 70 giving the election of Electors of
President and Vice-President to the people"
1t is impossible for tho Legislature to
give correct vote of the State, and the peo-
pie should with one voice denounce system
80 utterly ayerse to the true principles of
Repu, ,Slicanism. RANDOLPH.