The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1855-11-21
Shall South Carolina send Deleg atss
TO a National Nominating Cenyen-

Shall South Carolina send Deleg
to a National Nominating cenyen-
tioni
This question seems TO occupy the atten-
tion Of many of our editors and politicians.
The Convention meet nexts May, at Cincin-
uatti, and as Is we'll known, contrary to the
c ,ston of every other State, South Caroli-
na keeps out of it. This Presidential NOM
mating Convention, has now become a per-
manent custom, and although it is based up
on no constitutional law, twenty years ex-
istence has made it law, and almost equal
to nm election. We really can see no good
reason why South Carolina should remain
out Of it. President Pierce was the nomi-
nee Of the Baltimore Convention, and South
Carolina voted for him. Would it not be
as well to have our influence in the conven-
ton as to support the nominee Of that con-
ventioni 1t will be said, by remaining out,
We maintain a neutrality, and reserve to our
selves the priviledge Of voting for whom we
please. But would we not do our State
more service by making the effort to bring
forward a nominee! BY keeping ourselves
in passive condition, iavoring by our votes
what suits us, and rejecting by our silence
what does not, does this course of action
do ourselves or our National Country SER
vice! Shall the minister ofthe Gospel keep
SILENT and merely tell his fioCk to follow
his example in morality! SLoald he not ex-
pound to them the word of Truth, and warn
them of the wrath come! Can we refuse
to meet such States rs Virginia, Georgia,
&c, In Convention? Is it not our duty to
meet with them, rather than to acknowledge
by our non-interference that we are two im-
macuiate for such company! On the same
principle we had may as well secede from
the Union at once, refuse to meet in Con-
gress, or have anything at Ill to do with Fed
cral matters. ......
There is but one party that the people of
the South can affiliate with, that is the old
line Democratic Party. That party we can
place confidence in. Now we know there
is no party, or class Of men at the North ia
vorable to slavery. President Pierce him>
self, though in his whole course he has nc
ted with constitutional precision, We war
rant,at heart is opposed to slavery. We sbelieye
it impossible for one reared at the North, to
favor our institution. We do not look for
il. But we may fnd those who are satis-
fed for rs to retain the institution If we de-
sire il. They will none of it, but for us,
we can do rs we please. Frank Pierce
rs President Of the United States, sworn to
be guided in his conduct by the constitution,
win not suffer sn antagonistic party to ride
over us; so We believe the party to be- actua-
ted to which he belongs. BY South Carroll
M beng represented in the Convention,
our votes win go towards nominating a
President favorable to US. Asa State, it is
our duty to remain in the Union, SO long as
we can, consistently; 1t is our duty to per-
petuate the Union of the States; Il is not to
4.sapaIy srotvav, ..na. 90.
operate action with other States will tend to
unite us, we should do so. Some Of our
public men are In favor ofsending delegates
TO Cincinnati, others oppose it. Our Rep
resentative, Gen. Mcqueen, is opposed to it;
but we do not think he attaches any great
Importance to the matter We would res
pectfaily ask our Representative fit would
not be better to be greeted by the welcome
of other delegates, with, II am glad to see
you," and in the end do our common coun-
try service, than obstinateIy to keep ont,
and maintain an obstinate silence, with, ~
have never yet condescended to meet with
you, and | wont compromise my dignity
now; it may be I am wrong, bat have pur-
sued this course twenty years, and Mt this
late day, l am not going to acknowledge my
error" =
Besides, our immediate representative,
Col. Keith, and Mr.. Boyce are Of the same
opinion. Coils Orr and Brooks are in favor,
and II is said, so are Senators Butler and
and Evans. Mr.. Aiken, the Representative
from Charleston, is silent on the subject.
In our views we no doubt are in the min
ority. Some Of our old politicians have inn
bibed certain old foggy political notions,
and they are the oracles Of wisdom to many
others The State must do as she has ever
done; whether right or wrong she must not
be vascillating, and our influence must be.
as il were, in a nut shell. We repudilte
the idea, our State can do much by her in
fiuence, and the mere consideration of old
custom should not restrain as from bring
ing 10 into healthy exercise.
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