The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-04-17
NO. 8.
The Tyranny Of the OpposItioa.

The "Press of the O,igarciry" in South
Cnro!iua clings TO its ancient landmark
with the satne obstinate and domineering
spirit, that has ever characterized the "time-
honored conservatism" OF its s,upendous
master; and in the present conflict Of opin-
lon about State representation in the Gin
cinnati Convention, il exhibits all The char
acteTisties OF dcspoiisn tiiat nave, FOR hall
century, suppressed discussion aud stran:
gled popular movements, on all occasions
when great questions Of State policy anJ
State reforms have been presented for popu-
lar deliberation. In IFS opposition TO the
Convention movement, true to its teach
ings and instincts. it INDUCES in paradox.
cal absordities, and revels in fulsomc de-
nunciations Of those who dare oppose .ths
powers that be-" nor is it scrupulously
ayerse to following The cratic path of per.
version and misrepreseriaiion-.c clothed
with the torn and tattered habiiments Of
long line of old ,66g3' s,,aoiiso,en, it dsgraces
the untarnished mantles oe the Aoaorcd
dead by priestIy invocations 10 observe
and respect the sanclity Of its "time honor
ed" tiara.
The rights Of mnorities have ever bcer
respected and defended by statesmen of
South Carolina, and whether in Federal or
State affairs, the protection of minorities
against the aggressive spit of majorities
should constitute n cardinal principle Of
political ethics: And while We admit and
approve the doctrine that in domestic leg.
,siation, with people homogeneous in inter.
-inajorities, with the appliances OF proper
cafa
It would be monstrous. TO hold that party
action, IL II system like ou,s, having It's
foundation and perpetuity in the existence.
elements and operation of parties, should
be subservien; 10 the will Of local majors.
ties. a party to control this vast Repub-
lie, and to preserve lis power at home and
lis pre- tiSe abroad. must ramify throughout
the length and breadth Of the common.
wealth and establish lis banners upon every
hilltop: and while in some States, or par
tcular localities, il may dwindle into small
minoritles, the right of such local minoriiies
TO act with their party and aggregate ma.
Jority is none the less Il hight, nor render.
ed less sacred by overwhelming local oppo-
sing majorities. The right TO think, speak
and act, and even 10 be represented in CSa,-
vention, is still right, even though the
party should number but half score ofin-
divduals; nor woul,l their bold, manly and
independent action-if they saw proper to
exercise the right-be susceptible Of tho
vile Interpretation that they were acting in
deroeation of what is right and just to-
wards the opinions Of their fellow men,"
There is something noble in the spirit Of
the party, which, when borne down hy ruth
less and unprincipled majoriles, still holds
out its banner and struggles on amid tho
sneers, vitupeiation and calumnies Of ipfla-
ted loud mou,hed victors. And such is
! the course pursued by parties and individu.
ais who really have the good of their couu-
try, or the cause of truth at heart; because
principles are eternal and imlnu,able, and
are unaffected 10y the defeats and reverses
| of political revolutions. Nor are they less
worthy the stern and unfinching advocacy
Of devo,ecs because repudiated by tie ma
joiity.
| These reflections have been induced by
An observance Of the course pursued by the
journals opposed to state representation im
the Democratic Convention. They not on
| ly abuse the advocates of the measure,
! aud heap calumny and vllainous reproach
! Wv" 'HS p'b'. WIZ cN'pNsc lsic Shuse, oul
have gone so far rs absolutely to deny Them
the right of Joing as they please in ths
matter, and denouncc them rs political
/ gamesters, and presump,uous disturbers Of
the "time honored" policy Of the State.
From the seaboard 10 the mountains they
have been villifed, s,andered and crucified
at the old conservatism Stake Of the Oil
garcliy, and still the storms of vituperaiion,
! insult and olJurgaIion progresses with una.
bated ferociiy.
There may be two parties in every dis
/ trict in the S,atc-a Convention patty, and
an Anti Convention party. II so the, for
mer. however few their numbers, have the
lnaienable right 10 send delegates 10 the
May Convention in Columbia, and TO be
represented at Cincinnati though the world
should oppose it. II il the Democratic
party an The STATE, who desire the nomina.
ton of Mr.. Pierce or some other sound
! Democrat, that is sought 10 be represented, {,
and rot the Sta" as Il unit Il party In
State is not The State. and when assembled
i'll Convention can only represent the
strength and views OF such party, not the
strength and views OF the whole State. Yet
the right to he thus represented IN South
Carolina is denied. aud hence the uittei
strife that now agila,es the political waters.
Edafeid Ietormer.
-. -
Tux DIsrUTE WITH ESoLASD.-if ,ha
discussion of oar difficulties with England