Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-01-09

ton made before, aga!Il ati;I a3HIiI apo"
Nnur. have seen il again and again in print
and ,tranrc TO tell it las never been conrldic
ted within my knowledge, lis it ght hayt
hran. South Carolina boasts of being 4 GGci
trade Sialc-rlams 10 he at the head Of Tho
State rights section ct the Democratic party
aud vet if her Legislature has always reflected
the popular will in eappoinlmcnt of Prc>idcn
tial electors, and in,trlcling them for whom to
yoe, why was the vote Of the State once given
to Willie p. Mangu',l man who has long been
famous only for his consolidation wsiggery and
his excessive devotion TO his potatons! And
vet our legislature, in csling that vote, is said to
have acted AS the people desired Was that
volc the reflected will Of our gallant people ?
No. sir, ! think moi remember we'll once
Standing in company wth distinguished men,
her of Congress at heel in Washington City,
when this South Caro!n lavorle for the Presi-
drncv rceIed By, and never felt the blush of
shame rise so higi on ny cheek, as when my
distinguished companin pointed aud said to me,
with bland smile, I'D not your State once
yotc for MannuuI for lAcsidcnt - Then let il
not he said this Legislature has always reflected
the popular will Of Seth Carolina, or if it is
said, let it not 90 uncnlradlcted.
Let me take The gentlnan TO task upon ano-
ther point. How doe he know? How can
ann man know that tn legislature has always
reflected the will Of IA people in voting for
Presidential electors! 10 We not vote here BY
secret ballot? ?-Can thpeopIe know how any
of US vote! Suppose,hat my district should
want it's vote cast roIDonglass at the next
Presidential election, suld instruct its repre-
scntalives to give that 'tc, could not those re-
nrrsrn,atvcs come IerGnI east their sulirages
Individually or colectily for Buchanan Cass,
Willie p. l!angun. or ~ one else? Could the
people of Edgeiield cv know whether their
wishes had been obey or not? 1t is worse
than folly then 10 say.hat this Legislature re-
fleets the popular wln the appointment of
Presidential electors, DIN any other Of the nu-
mcrous elections that ke place here. There
i, no way of asceriainf the fact, and it is but
assertion when the remi is made. Even if The
popular will could be certained, there is no
way of carrying it outsre, as our State gov
ernmcnt is nt present fanized. Indeed, sir,
maintain that the peopbf South Carolina have
bu, very little to do their government, cx-
cept to feel its oppreons either in making
laws, or in saying who III e1pound and euforce
them. 1t is u painful ty but | assume The
responsibility of maki'good what have said
And now, Mr.. ChaEu, | feel that | ain 60
ing to tread upon verynsitive ground, but
shall endeavor TO keepy own temper and will
not wound the fee!ingf any one farther than
NAV be necessary 10 tehe truth. am justiIi-
ed in doing so, since oof the strongest ubjrc-
,ions urged by genllen from the up, as well
as from the low countngainst giving the elec-
ton of electors to lheople is, that it would
disturb what are calleGc compromises Of our
constitution, and the r,ions between the two
sections of the State. ) this is the issue made
by the enemies of the upon your table must
be permitted 10 inforue House why think
this election will not IL be given TO the people
why it was not donsng ago and why full !
and complete justice hot been rendered to |
the people generally ao those of the up-coun-
try in particular.
Whom do the peopf South Carolina elect !
TO office. They arc %cd to amusc them
selves. with the sr,nbc of sovereignty in !
holding g, or voting for riads of petty Militia
Offices and charge IL members Of the par
ishes here that they sls 4 body disposed to
keep up our present aenable militia system
for nothing more, thanla,tcr the people with
the appearance Of ex,ing power where no
right, no liberty, but ac bauble is at stake.
What other officers do people elect! Their
humble district police their very honorable
members of the legise and of Congress-
They are not pcrnttb elect all their local
policc even IN this nd Assembly appoints
the commissioners in ty--hrec Of The four