The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1854-06-21
For the Banner.
no the Citizens of Clarendon
COluAs1y.

turc Of Wesley )" appeared in the
Banner of the 18th May, proposing a
series Of questions TO the candidates Tor
the next Legislature and as |, among
others occupy the position "o' 4 can.
dldate for your suilraycs and conf
dence," and recognize your right to
know my opinions upon all matters of
political or district interest, shall pro.
coed to reply to the questions propos
cd; and i'll IA way as brief and cumpre.
hcnsve rs my ability will allow me
considering their very wide range, and
tho great intricacics and difficulties
which surround them. As citizen
myself Of the county have long felt
the necessity Of having orc or more
favorable aud eligible places Of transit
TO our markets across the Santer
Swamp and river, | am aware that
there is no section OF the State so Ut
terly deficient ia This great convenience
and necessity as OR own. EHccp, by
ltailroad there is no safe ana couvcni.
cnt crossing TO ,ur markets at all sea
SONS OF the year, from the town of
Camden to the mouth of the San,cc
river Il distance | believe OF not less
than one hundred and thirty miles; SO
that large portion OF the State, as
fertile and thriving, as any part of it
Gfnot more so) is altogether depend.
cnt upon the Railroad for all colnlnu-
,icatiol direct or indirect with the seat
OF government and the metropolis.
The Hailroad owing to its rcmnteness
from many OF the localities, remedies
only to a partial extent this great in
cunvcnlcncc-nn incunvcnrn q 50
great indeed as TO amount to positive
evil TO say nothing OF The inrossiOli-
~ Of the planters availing themselves
OF high prices in the markets owing to
the uncertainty and tardincss Of the
transmission OF their produce to mar
ket under circumstances So generally
and briefly stated, slla! feel NJ, -ei
under the strongest obligations shr,.I
be honored by your confidence to use
All vi the cXcrtions in my power, to
remedy this oppression and burthvn-
some condition OF things, by endcavor-
ing to procure from the State assistance
to construct, or if practicable re con
struct, a highway which will at all
times allow Of travel across it; and by
having renewed those charters for fer.
rles which have expired; and if the
convenience Of our people requires it
to obtain charters for others.
10 the first distinct question, as to
whether or not am in favor of giving
the election of electors for President
and Vicc,President to the people, and
in what mode, | beg leave to answer
that having the highest respect and
Ecncration for the present political or
ganization OF The State, am unwilling
hastily TO advocate any measure, which
would tend to disturb the balances of
government under which we are now
SO happily ruled, | am therefore op.
posed to giving The election Of electors
by general ticket to the people be.
cause regard it as the first step to
wards radical change in the whole
system. The question of representa-,
L!o'l ny population ana GAXatlOn, Is the
chief ground upon which the people of
the Southern States are com pcllcd to
contend for their equality by rcprcsen.
tation in the Federal council; and TO
abandon that principle ourselves is to
abandon one of our chief safeguards
i9 tho great questions now pending be-.
tween the North and South, | contend
therefore that to give this election to
the people by general ticket will be
virtually to destroy the political innu.
encc OF large portion of tho State, and
place the power altogether in the hands
OF the upper districts. At the same
time feel the expense and nconvcni-
ence resulting to the State from hold.
ing an extra session OF the Legislature
once In four years for the purpose of
casting the vote OF the State. TO Oh
viatc this objection the constitution
might be changed 80 as to convene the
: Legislature earlier in the fall and thus
c':bracc the period appointed by law
tor casting the vote otihthe State; nor
wjuid this bc Objectionable in other
ro5litfS of' vipw r'Hafn .nn,nA ,y;E,