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

A communication under the sigma
ture of Wesley appeared in the
Banner of the l7th May, proposing a
series Of questions to the candidates for
the next Legislature and as |, among
others occupy the position "of a can
didate for your, suiiruges ami conf.
dence," and recognize your right to
know my opinions upon all matters OF
political or district interest, shall pro.
cecd to reply to the questions propos
ed and i'll u way as brief and compre.
hcnsive rs my ability will allow ME
considering their very wide range, and
the great intricacies and difficulties
which surround them. AS a citizen
myself Of the county have long felt
the necessity Of having one or more
favorable and eligible places Of transit
~sto our markets across the Santee
Swamp and river, am aware that
there is no section Of the State so Ut
teri y deficient in this great convenience
and necessity as our own. Except by
1tailroad there is no safe and convent
ent crossing TO .ur markets at all sea-
sons Of the year, from the town of
Camden to the mouth of the Santec
river distance believe OF not less
than one hundred and thirty miles; SO
that q large portion of The State, as
fertile and thriving, as any part of it
Gf fnot more SOY is altogether depend.
cnt upon the Railroad for all co,nnu.
nication direct or Indirect with the seat
of government and the metropolis.
The Railroad owing to its remoteness
from many Of the localities, remedies
zonly toa partial extent this great in.
convenience-an Inconvenience SO
great indeed as to amount to Il positive
evil to say nothing the impossible
ty,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, shall feel myself
under The. strongest obligations should
be honored by your confidence to use
al OF the exertions in my power, to
remedy this oppression and burthen-
some condition of things, ny cndeavor-
ing to procure from the State assistance
to construct, or if practicable re con-
struct, q highway which viii at all
times allow of travel across it; and by
having renewed those charters for fer
ries which have expired; and if the
convenience of our people requires it
to obtain charters for others.
To the first distinct question, as to
whether or not am in favor of giving
the election of electors for President
and Vice. President to the people, and
in whatsmode, beg leave to answer
that having the highest respect and
yeneration for the present political or,
ganization OF The State, am unwilling
hastily to advocate any measure, which
would tend osdistarb 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 tho people be.
cause, ! regard it as the first step to
wards a radical change in the whole
system The question of representa-.
ton by population and eaxation, is the
chief ground upon which the people of
the Southern States are com PEELED to
contend for their equality by represen.
tation inithe Federal council; and to
! abandon that principle ourselves is to
abandon one Of our chief safeguards
ii thegreat questions now pending be.
I. tween tho North and South. l. contend