Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-02-20
j. C. hlcCELvEY, Scc'ry.

fourth Saturday III March next.
JOSEPH GRIFFITH, Chair.
j. C. McCELvEY, scc'ry
For the Advertiser.
Mr. EDITOR: In the editorial columns Of the
last Z" Informer" under the caption Of Elcetions,"
noticed an article abounding in many queer nsser.
tons, If not random statements, among which was
this strange proposition: It is stubborn fact, that
while South Carolina il prufrsscdlya a Democratic
or Republican Government, that yet sue has all the
ear-marks and leading characteristics of the most
odious aristocracics that have ever existed"
Now, he who addresses you is but an unpre-
tending individual, wholly unable to combat with
the science and ability Of the learned gentlemen
who stand sponsors for the new bantling just
come into this breathing world" to cdify us by
its kicks and squalls, and to defend the "pcoPle's
rights" from the iron heels Of an oppressive OH
garchy. He is unable, say, to compete with so
much research and profound erudition, when grave
political and constitutional questions are brought on
the arena for debate. But bring him down to his
level, and give him the Whole truth on his side,
whether it be the "people's side' or not, and he
promises to break lance, even with the Magnus
Apollo himself of the Editorial corps Of the Z" In
former"
To drop the third person and to speak like on un-
lettcred man, rs am, think, that at least my own
plainness may be little vanished, my education
improved, and my knowledge greatly increased by
bathing little in the Picrian Springs, flowing from
the inteects which guide the InfOrmer." Suffer
me then in great good temper (ior shall bring TO
thi, discussion moderation, if not INSTRUMENTATION
is what am trying to gan) to deny that South
Carolina is an Oligarchy, an Aristocaacy, or any
thing cl.e than one of the kndes and most protect
ing mothers ts her children. The first time ever
heard her called tyrant, or step-mother, the
words fell from the lips, think, Of MIR. GIDDIScs
of Ohio. the next time from MIR. SEWARD, of New
York, then from Mr.. HALE, then from Major
PERRY, Of Greenvillc, and now, "Oh, tell it not in
Ga,h,n from two of the most hopeful sons Of Edge
field. Our State and her institutions arc the ad-
miration of her sons abroad the idol OF her SONS
at home, and fit models Of imitation for all the
States abroad would not denounee my native
State, though all the world should cry out against
her. The feeling Of patriotism in my bosom would
only impel me to love her the more dearly the more
she we're reviled, aud il necessary, to eonsecrato
my life to her service. IT is the home Of all most
love and deyoutly cherish, and will uphold her
"whilc the cbbng sands Of life shall run"
a oil fhn q.
mcnts Of the gentlemen are erroneous and the facts
set forth would lead 10 conclusion opposite from
theirs. South Carolina is free Republican, rep
resentulive government, fashioned rs nearly after
the great design of the achevers Of our revolution
rs it was possible for the human mind to reach. 1t
was never intended that the United States, or any
of its members, should be made vulgar Demo.
cracy like Athens once was, when the people as
scmblcd together in huge leadless masses, to make
laws, 10 elect rulers without merit. and to de-
pose them without crime, and when every good
citizen was put in peril Of death or punishment for
the very cxccilcncics that adorned his character.
Neither was j, contemplated by our fathers that
their beloved State should become what Rome was
when the dcspicablc creature Of bawd BY her
command over the rabblc, could FIJI the highest
Office in the State could in his own person exercise
all the functions Of government, elect consuls, and
exile them, anu could make laws the most odIous,
and repeal those the must sacred at his sovereign
will and pleasure. Such was pure Democracy IN
Athens, such was it in Rome. That was not Anglo
Saxon freedom. We believe that liberty cannot
exist without the just restraints Of law, and without
the offices and distinctions and ordinances Deces-
sary to enforce the law with dignity, certainty, and
effect. An anarchy or a state Of ungoverned equal
ity is worse than all the despotisms that ever exs-
ted A mob is without heart, as we'll as without
head, and is unappcased by the blood Of men, wo-
men and children, by the cries of outraged limo.
censc, or the asonies of exp iring humanity.
Our system of Government was never meant to
be any thing but the representative system, differ
ing from the old democracies, in this that the peo-
plc instead of incurring the Inconvenience OF meet
ING together and passing all laws, and elccting al
their officers, and rulers, have voluntarily delegated
portion of their power to certain representatives
termed Legislative Assemblies when met toselher'
who being fewer in numbers and better organized,
can act with more promptness, more intelligence
and more decision. Yet these representatives are
entirely responsible to their constituents the people,
for their conduct, and they seldom disobey the
peoples will. Whenever they do happen to do SO,
they are most invariably dismissed from their trust
In fact, their term Of Office is SO short, that they
could do but little mischief, il they were most iouly
bent upon it.
maintain, though, that the whole operation Of
our State government is carried on by The people
themselves, if not always directly, yet indirectly
and as efcctualy as if they were ever present and
acting. Who adopted and ratified the consttu-
,ion2 The people, by meeting and sending dele
gates for that express purpose. The people, then,
made the constitution. The people, then, instituted
the representative system in South Carolina-they