The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-02-15
MISCELLANY.


tomb of the CapulcIs q certain articles Of
the Mercury called forth by that query Of
ours, What are we to do" The Winsboro
Register, at the request of subscriber. is
now passing them through second edition
In doing SO the Register gives expression tn
the suhivincd reflections, which will com
maud the attention and respect of every
unpreiu'liced man: Eagefeld Advertiser.
The Aercnry objects to these CONVENTIONS
as n piece Of machinery, never ron,empl;..
ted by the Constitution. Very true. But
nevertheless they had their origin in an
inperious necessity, and were called into
existence by the voice of the people I, had
become apparent that the Presidential cleo
ton was matter Of too much Importance
to longer be permitted to remain before the
House Of Representatives. They were
long standing body, and so great were the
temptations in the hands of IN aspirani
that the spirit Of bribery and corruption was
spreading like dreadful conlagion through
out the representative body of the people.
With the number of offices in tho Gift Of
tn" succ' ssful candidate, and the small num-
Der among whom they were to br distributed.
Mr. McDutfu declared that the temptations
were too great for human integrity, that "the
very angels fell from Heaven with less
temptation" We will not mention any
OF the memorable occasions when the Amer
lean people hid their faces with shame for
the conduct Of their representatives. TWAS
a pohle and patriotic spirit that prompted
them TO remove from ;leir Legislative halls
this corrup'ing clerton. The appointment
of separate electoral college failed, be-
cause, from the number of candidates whom
the electors came pledged to support, the
election had again to be returned to the
House for final decision. Who has for.
gotten the circumstances under which John
Quincy Adams was eec,c,l2 He, the
founder and first parent of the party now
called Republican, obtained his elevation to
the Presidential chair by the return of the
election to the HousesvIA fact which should
be remembered, particularly now when that
party is plurality, if not majority, inthe
House, and are now polling larger
vote Tor Banks than is received hy any other
candidate. This circumstance warns MS
that the causes which existed for kecpip,r
the election from the HonSc are MS stropo
because the contest will now be, not between
Wings and Democrats, bu, an,i.slaverv IA
na,Ics and the lovers of the Constitution !:
llnplacable hostility to the South will fire
the hearts OF one, the tights Of the South
and the preservation OF the Constitution
animate those Of the other. Look TO the
Federal Capitol, witness the scccne that is
being enacted there. If it be desired to
elect Seward, let few of the Southern
States withhold themselves from the Cincin-
n"t'' Convention and by so doing send the
Democratic candidate before the House
with his party in broken and fraementarv
CONFUSION. We have heard some of the on
poncntS OF the Convention base their oppo.
stIon to it on the ground that they wished to
See Pierce defeated and Seward elected. and
thus dissolution of the Union accom-.
pilshed. Such can most consistently on
pose the Convention, 6crallse 10 defeat it ia
to defeat the Democratic Party, and, as q
necessary result, accomplish the election of
Seward.
The objection to nominating Conventions
is Insufficient Although not contemplated
III the federal, nor in any of the State ron.
stitutions, they have nevertheless grown to
be part OF the machinery Of government,
and are resorted to everywhere. Tllev have
been held in Columbia, in Charleston, and
in Winnsboro. Called into existence bv
necessity, established by usage in every
State, County. or District, throughout tli.
length and breadth Of the whole country. it
is an error to .asclibe our absepce fronrtle,
National nominating Conventions to con;sii..
tutional scruples, instead Of to mere usage
forced upon us by circum stances no longcr1
existing. The true position OF South Caro-
lima Ito act with those parties with whom
she agrees; and she can agree with none,
stand aloof from all. When internal i'm
proyements, and protective tariff, were
the ISSUES before the county, neither Of the
two greatparties carried out South Caro-
lima views, hence, very consistently, che
held herself aloof from their PARTY Com
ventlons. Tue only question to deiermine
the course; OF the State .ilow is: Do, we
agree with the present position OF. the. DEM
ocratic Party. and of their. distinguished
head, President Pierce9 If we disapproye
OF them, we will act consistently BIZ. remain.
ing aloof But if we approvs Of them. we
viii be acting cinconsistsntly, If we still adj
here to isolations wbep tho causes, for SO doyI
ing longer exist. Aiman Who clipabs q post
TO escape from a dog, would he; acting .vsry
incoDsisteltly il .hs adhered to his. .posfiJl m
lion OF islsGtss ION aftef hisae aeeressor : bad
disappss rec. car, see siso renson for
sdsocattng tie mon kisb notion 81 pre tss !
setsiag orr G pasit sas - sIadiag