Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-06-11

voice Of, God; aud il would seem that some,
in their deiGcation OF the people, verify be-
liered that they had ouly 10 will an end 10.
accomplish it, even without the use of means.
But in the very necessity for self govern.
ment, we found an irrelragable .detence OF
constitutional republic. For, if that udi.
vidual is wisest who places himself most
under wholesome restraint, why should it
moi be esteemed folly in the sau'e individual
a; constituent Of government, 10 remove
from himself aud others checks imposed by
themselves, and which experience has proved
to he salutary!
The world will never be wiser until it
learns that spcculatons are to be confined
to matters of faith, aud that it is impossible
10 make them rules of action. The carry
ing out pure abstraction in practice, is 4
task far above the power of corrupt human
nature. Were community beginning a'resh
to construct republic, it could fashion it
after no ideal form; for though it would
checrlulIy acknowledge the, great (undamen-
tai truths, that all power spings from The
people, aud that all are free and equal, it
would still be obliged to limit these abstrac,
,ons by the sense, in all time, found neces-
sary for human irnperleclion they would be
obliged to blend with their poli;y, that great
unwritten system Of liberty, which has
grown up through centuries Of experience,
under the genius of the common law. l ills
great system, incorporated into all The habi.
tudes OF our people, is lnbedded in our
constitution, and forms indeed, the staple OF
all the liberty we enjoy; though no parch-
mcnt scroll, under the most solemn sancllors,
can by any skill compress its nob!e frame
into medtatcd form.
We have been thus particular, because
we feel very sure that notions the most crude
are abroad as to what constitutes true re.
puhlicanism; and that every species OF The
vericst radicalism is vocierated in its name,
by men calling themselves (but falsely the
progress party, and untruly y claiming to be
ihe only friends of the people and liberty.
In pursuance Of our argument, we assert
that pure republic can only be admins.
tered by system of we'll appointed agencies
4 Proxy must lead its armies; for all cannot
WELD tie sword of command. Another
must preside over lis treasury; for all can.
not dispense the purse. Lsrse numbers can
not readily combine ; therefore, 10 smaller
bodies must be cntruste ed all matters requir-
ing skill, promptuess and energy. Foreign
policy must be conducted with system, and
therefore is conlided to statesmen; unity is
not to be expected of shifting majorties'
The law must he stable; tunuliuous masses
cannot make, administer, or execute il; and
thus the legislative, judiciary, and executive
powers must be delegated 10 selected hands
Large bodies of men are never uncxclted
to twelve sworn jurors must DO entrusted
all trials relating to property or life. IN
short, the power Of the people, and al the
high prerogativc Of government, being, from
the nature Of the case, exercised by proxy
over every right the individual citizen can
possess-tllose Of life, Liberty, property and
reputation, and over the sword and purse OF
governmcnt-why should it be deemed unrc-
publican that the simple functions should,
from motives Of policy, be administered, rs
the one now under consideration has for
nearly seventy years been, by agents, chosen
by the people themselves, and responsible to
them!
We maintain, therefore, that it is nos unre-
publican for the legislature, The common or.
gan Of the people, to appoint the electoral
college of the Sta:e.
UPPER COUNTRY.
Friday Morning, May 9, 1855.