Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1856-06-19

Is not this serious. .eyilf Iappeal, calmly but,
earnestly, to everyman who understands anything
OF the nature of our governmental machinery,
who knows the vital Importance of that primary
function ofa -politick-tbe right to delegate
the powers and authority Of the whole to the
hands Of few as theirrepresentatives and agents,
lis this evil not serious and dangerous one?
What interest can citizen possess which is not
affected by the exercise Of the elective franchise?
do not pretend to large knowledge Of the effects
of governmental action upon individual interests
but think may venture the affirmation that the
government ought to reach al the interests of the
citizen, and have the power to secure them. In
proportion as it fails to do this, it is defective, Ell
ther in its essential nature or in its administration.
speak of the legitimate interests Of the citizen.
There are Fictitious and imaginary interests which
must be foregone, and made subject to compro-
mise, in order to the formation of goyernment.-
OF these I do not now speak.
No intelligent man can doubt, suppose, that
| all the power which government has over the in
degree, both as to its abstract character and its
practical application, by the ballot-box. Is there
no danger, then, in that corruption which makes
the fulsome vanity Of weak-minded men, and the
base appetites of the animal and the sensual, to
control the DEGREES of the ballot-box 1t is our
boast, and long may it be so, that the people are
sovereign. If the sovereign be corrupt, the exer-
else of sovereignty must be crrrupt also and, con-
sequently, all dependencies must be in like manner
| jeoparded. The whole history of republics war
rants the proposition that, in proportion as the
people are rendered venal and mercenary, is the
republic in danger of wreck. As the people be-
come more susceptible to fattery and cunning soph-
istry than to sound reason and the dictation of
truth and principle, the government will swerve
from its legitimate aims and become an engine of
destruction to oil that it should cherish. Of this
truth we have n mournful evidence in the action
of the Athenians, which resulted in the destruc-
tion of SOCRATES, the noblest son of Greece. So
soon as gold has more power with the people than
the eloqucnce of truth, there is Philip or an Al
exander at hand to seize the sovereignty.
How, then, is this evil to be remedied? I ar
swer: by correcting public sentiment; by teaching
men to regard the modes of seeking public favor
which have obtained to some extent, as dishonor-
able, as insulting to the voter; by teaching every
honest citizen to regard the attempt of the candi-
date to secure his vote by treating, or By any
other kind of purchase, as declaration-which
to all intents and purposes it is-that he regards
him as having so little self-respect and so little
moral integrity that his favor may be bought by
pint of whiskey. To produce this sentiment let
the Press speak outlet Ministers of the Gospel
let ruling-clders, deacons and class-leaders-
let professors of religion in general, speak out.
Here, word: Can it be so, as the writer has
heard, that Elders of the Church, and members
of the Church, are lending themselves to candi-
dates and to the devil, to do the loathsome work
of brutalizing their friends and ncighbors by free
ly supplying them with intoxicating drink? I am
told that this is so: that men, who have solemnly
vowed to God to oppose immortality and irreligion
in MI its forms-men, who have with the utmost
socmnity been sworn into holy ecclesiastical Office
have become the subordinate agents Of certain can
didates, to minister frequently and in demcnting
quantities the intoxicating bowl to those over
whom they have sworn to God to watch, whom
they are bound to admonish, reproTe and rebuke,
and to whom it is their duty to hand the "cup OF
blessing" which contains the emblems of sim
ners purifcation If these words should chance
to meet the eye of any such Elder, let him look
at them calmly Let him ask himself-how will
the picture look, in the great day of revelation
and righteous Judgment, of an elder of the church
bearing in his hand On the Lords day, around the
sacramental board, the cup which contains the
symbol Of the peace-speakng blood of the Lamb
and on Monday, or some other day Of the same
week, bearing in the handto the thirsty crowd
Jug filled with the spirit whose out-goings have
ever been marked with profanity, blasphemy
strife, blood-shed, and death! Well may the
Minister, dependent upon the aid of such an ell
der, take up the mournful language of the Proph'
et 20 that my head were waters; and mine eyes
fountain of tears; that might weep day and
night" Let all-elders, professors Of religion
parents -teachers-eyery body that con mould
public sentiment, speak out, and correct the pu6i'
feeling on this subject.
cannot refrain, in the close Of my letter
Messrs. Editors to speak out my high gratifca
ton ut seeing in your paper Of Inst week the
pledge of our Candidates for the Senate. In my
humble opinion, that act will reflect more homo,
on both the gentlemen, than ten successful elec
tions could do 1t would do your heart good, anc
doubtless theirs two, TO hear the good and order
ly in every direction applauding this act. wisl
it were possible to vote for both of them. wisf
it were possible for both Of them to be elected
I hope the candidates for the lower House will fol
low the noble example; and Let us for one tint
see how good we shall all feel, to know that {
campaign has been carried through without de
grading any one. TURKEY CREEK.
For the Yorkville Enquirer.
j =, T.1o