The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1854-06-14
The Electoral Question.

1t seems to us that moro "fuss" is made
about this matter than the occasion calls
for. We have always been in favor of Civ
ing the election of electors to the people,
from the fact that it is IL right which belongs
to them. AS we once before said, if we
live under Republican Government, let us
carry out those principles. II would make
not one particle of difference however,
whether the people elected the electors, or
the Legislature, the vote would be the same
in either case. The following sensible ar
ticle on this subject we take from late
number Of the Unionrille Journal.
Mr.. EDITOR: 1t will be matter of re-
gret, think, to all lovers of harmony, that
this question or giving electors to the pco-
pie, (as it is very inaptly termed, by the
way0 has been introduced into the columns
of the Journal. 1t is really matter about
which the people take very little interest.
have never heard a single intelligent indi-
yidual among the class called the people,
express desire for change The other
day wus asked, What was all this fuss
about hear so much talk of''-and found
It no easy matter TO explain. The inquirer,
after listening to me patiently, said, well,
| he-believed he had had about rs much to do
| with making Presidents, for all the good
they did him, rs he cared for-thought the
less we have of our fingers in the pie, the
better for us. Now this man struck very
near the mark. An anxiety to get into the
President making business is at the bottom
of this with the big politicians, while the
smaller fry of youthful aspirants grasp it as
delicious morsel to toss the dear people.
Ii is n theme about which an immense deal
of balderdash, soft corr and syllabub will
be served up by the youthful patriots and
the dear people will learn, doubtless, much
to their surprise, that they have been kept
in Cimmerian darkness, in worse than Egyp-
tian bondage, ruled by the aristocracy, de-
fraudcd of their elective franchise, and only
allowed to eat their bread and butter be-
cause there was plenty to spare-lnd all
this by great many who wouldn't care if
the people were at the devil, if they had
their votes in the box.
South Carolina has eight votes, yet there
is no State in the Union which exerts n
more decided influence in the Presidential
election. 1t is known from the beginning
how she will go. Her vote is unit No
division of parties can distract her people
no loaves and fishes can be tcmptingly
thrown in the way--no bribery or corrup-
ton used. The claims of the respective
candidates are cafvassed among the people
quictly-thc member elect goes to the Leg
slature fully satisfied of the wishes of his
constituents, votes for men above rcproach,
who are sure to carry out the peoples
choice. From the beginning to end there
is no noise, no fuss, no parade everything
is done in order. Reverse the picturc--in-
troducc the "popular rights" or general
ticket system, and frou that momPnt you
have your two regular organized parties,
whg or democrat, or something worse,
your central committees in Charleston and
Columbia--your central committees ofcor
respondcncc in all the little villngcs--cvery
mouthing demagogue or small politician be-
comes at once n man Of note. =" am Sir
Oruc!e,-when ] opc my mouth let no dog
bark" You have stump speeches all over
the coun;ry-caucusses in towns and villa
yes, district conventions, State Conventions,
for the nUmi7ation of President and electors,
and for tho nSmil;ation, afteI a little whne,
of every other officer. from the highest
down to the lOwest-for, my dear friends,
when you give it up IL the politicians, II
is like giving up to the u"vil-body and
soul go together, and all without your
knowing how it was done.
Well, you have nt last two batchCs OF
electors out--men, perhaps, you never heard
of Bat you must go for your party-al- |
ways stick to your party right or wrong,
that's the rule. Douglas aud Scott, w0 |
will say, are the candidates. democrat and |
whig. Millions are at stake--millions of
public money to be disposed of by the
party that gets into power-pubiic offices
of honor and Of profit, thousands upon
it be at all strange if
n bait should be thrown out to your lead
ing politicians OF these nominating con-
vcntions? Fat offices, distinguished posi-
tons, are not to be laughed ut by the nee
dy, (and politicians too often are.) bo-
nus Offered to an elector might take, and
with all the party machinery used on such
occasions, it is hard to say what cant be
done. But lead us not into temptation
is our prayer. We are secure from feder-
al politics and federal influence and cor
iuption rs we stand, let us remain so.
Break down this great conservative barrier
which keeps the quadrennial political floods
from overwhelming us, and we are gone.
Give up to the politicians what you can
now manage as you please, and you will
find that your influence has departed from
you. your rights have been bartered for
bauble, a pretty thing to look Mt, but like
the apples of the dead sea, bitter 10 the
taste.
lnTN- .t. L