Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1855-06-06
LETTER No. I.
THE POLITICAL ISSUE.


tracted so much notice, is now before the coun
trv for its judgments I do not intend to charge
against it, any thing which may increase the
acrimonious spirit, now so much excited. de-
sire only to examine the principles and rules o.
conduct, which it is asserted belong to the Or
der. If mistake either or both, it will be
done unwillingy, and innocently. have wait
ed fof the authorized exposition of both in vain
-'arid nm now forced to assume these to lie its
principles, and this, its rule of conduct, which
have been charged as such, without denial or
the part of any ono, protesting to speak in its
behalf shall endeavor to separate from the
distinctive and peculiar features of this Order
such opinions or principles, as are also enter
tained by the great mass of the people of this
country. The new Order has right to ask
support for such political measures as it appro'
yes: but if these measures are OF doubtful poll
CT, it has no right to enlist for their support
good and honest men, because it chooses also
TO profess az articles Of its creed, other measures
which are of very general approval. All men
believe, to use one of the can't phrases, that
foreigners should not govern the country: per.
haps none desire this less, than foreigners them
selves but it is false logic, for this Order, to
base its argument for the total exclusion OF the
foreigner, on its desire that foreigners should
mot hold exclusive sway. The concurrence IN
=the wise principle that the foreigners should not
govern, does not justify the proposition that the
foreigner should be excluded, unless the fact is,
that the foreigner does govern, and that to &C.
cl,te him altogether, is the only mode to deprive
hiirrn of such power But if he, agreeing with US
all, that it is not right that he should govern,
and i1 fact does not govern, shall be neverthe-
Hess excluded altogether, the logic of the conclu-
hy.its injustice, when it DEGREES an ordinance,
because Of something, which does not, in fact,
exist
question which is made by this Order. The re-
~,ieious tenets of the Roman Catholic Church,
may not command the appreciation of all: the
temporal power of that Church, may appear 10
,us, wanting much or all, that conduces to good
government: but is it because, we do not ad-
mire the spiritual Church, or disapprove its ex-
crcise of temporal authority, that we should
ostracise those who do! Or if we all agree in
declaring that the possession and profession of
acertain faith, with such consequences incident
Ito it. as have been charged, are, if true, grounds
for exclusion are we justified in declaring that
exclusion against those, who, admitting the pos
session and profession Of the faith, deny the
consequences rs incident TO it, aud are the best
witnesses of the truth or falsehood of the mat
ters so charged? And so in further justification
of this desired exclusion, reference is made to
the influences, which, operating on the poor
foreigner, make him, as is alleged, pervert the
privilege of the ballot, become the tool of the
dsmaeogue and often, rs is said, for gold, be-
tray the trust he has in the vote he is allowed to
east. Without questioning in the slightest de-
gree the iustuess of the indignation which is ex-
cited by the abuse of the privilege of voting, we
may we'll pause and enquire, before we record
sentence of universal exclusion, what Is the
true offence, which results from this abuse, and
next, whether the remedy proposed will relieve
it! We distinguish between remedy for the
eei, and The punishment Of the offender. ESclu-
sion may be the latter, but it cannot be the
former.
The vote is the medium through which tn
country ascertains the honest opinions of those,
who are interested in its welfare. The bribe, is
the means by which this end is defeated in sub
ssituting the opinions of him who bribes for his,
who is bribed. And thereby, the theory of our
Government, as one resting on public opinion,
This. consequence is bettOr known, or s1ou'a
be, by him who bribes, than by him, who Is
bribed. The bribe proceeds from him VINO
giyes: unless it is given, ne who taxes, wou!a
, not be bribed. The acceptance OF Inc orioe Is
we may suppose the consequence OF neea: IT'S
offer proceeds from the desire to accomplish IN
end, which, for some reason. Is sought oy hlln'
,vbo n;ves il. The end that moves him who
gives it. is always desire for power. IL may
Se far the power necessary for some one object,
or that wider power, which, for years, will d.
rect the machinery Of government. 1t may vary
in deGree: in effect it is the same. 1t begets
That evil spirit, which, in seeking means for lis
Qualification. seizes the weakness, the nccessi-
lies of our nature, and adapts them to Its use.
Exclude every foreigner, you still VIII leave
sufficient number, subject to the bri6e, 10 ac-
compsh all the ills, that excite these expressions
of adherence from the Order. To diminish
the number of those who are bribed, is not to
do away with bribery it only tends by reduc-
tion Of The number, to increase the price OF the
bribed. or change the form in which the orl6e IS
offered Money buys one, office buys another:
and he who is bought with an office, becomes
enrolled among the great men OF his DAY out
h. who is bribed with money, becomes thereby
snhiect to that reproach which justihes his ex-
TulSion. and is considered sufficient to justify
also ihe expulsion, of thousands, who were
horn in the same cline with him. Who are
,hav who bribe Is it not the foreigner, who
bribes the foreigner, 10 supplant, that which we
nav cali. the native power? If the foreigner Is
.bribed, it is not for or by the foreigner but tor
ard bu The naiire. Then it is the native, he,
who i devoted in higher degree, than any
other citizen. to the welfare of the country, who
doesan act, which he is enabled to do success
fnllv because of his wealth. and the necessities
of The one, upon whom he operates; and TINS
net he knows, lead, to the perversion OF his
Government. Who, then, is the proper ooJect
for punishment? According to the understood
rule of this Order, the native is preserved from
temptation, by removing from his reach' the IN,
poor, whom he has made instruments WIN
which he could work out his designs. A Gen
eneral charged with the defence OF his country
uses his influence with his army te attempt the
oyarthrow of his Government. The new reme-
DIV for the evil, is to extermlnate the army 50
that the General may not have again the same
means with which to accomplish his reasonable
practices.
Will it be said that because Els foreigner,
be ia therefore liable to be bribed? This is not
an. and he Is but shallow observer OF men,
who would affirm it. One who does not want,
!. bevond temptation. All who want are within
reach of temptation The nature aud extent OF
their wants, determine the amount and character
Of the influence that may control them. A for
eigner having no want, is according to all eXPe'
rience, less subject to temptation, than another,
whether foreigner or native, who has wants, tnat
creouire to be grati6ed. TO fall beneath the In
Huence of temptation is the law OF no particular
cline In all ages, among all people, from the
lowest depths Of savage life, to the loftiest sum
ion