The Carolina Spartan. [volume] (Spartanburg, S.C.) 1852-1896, 1856-05-22
From the Charleston Courier.
s p Z &c II
HON. JAMES L. ORR.

Delivered at the Democratic State Conyen-
zion of South Carolina, TN Columbia,
May 6, 1856.
Mr.. PRESIDENT When it was suggested
to me by some friends that should offer a
few remarks upon the matter which has
called us together, did not suppose that
the public expectation would demand of
me heightened exposition of the views
and purposes of our assembage ] came
here simply as the delegate of my friends
and constituents, who sent me on account
of the deep interest which they knew /
iookin the Convention question. | CRATE
fully responded TO that call. and am happy
10 meet here 50 large and respectable an
assembage. Tie numbers and character
Of this body constitute a sufficient answer
20 the taunts anu sueers (which certain in.
divlduals and presses Of the State have
beaped upon those who favored this pro-
ject. This, Mr.. President, is tile Inaugural
ton OF a new era, and the day is not far
distant when the geu tlemen who have seen
ht to assai us will change their tone. The
argument is with us, and the people also
are with us, despite the efforts of ciques
and cabals to control their sentiments. |
commenced my political career as a dele
gate to the Democratic State Convention
OF ls43, and heard at that time no obiec
eion urged, nor assertion made, that we
were sacrificing any time honorcd princi
pie. That Convention selected dele ,ates
70 the Baltimore Convention by q unani.
tnous vote, and though circumstances may
have since made such representation upon
subsequent occasions ipeXpedient, the policy
OF our action nj that time has never been
doubted.
l am aware, Mr.. Chairman thai, MANY
objections have been urged to the Conven
zion system, but where is YOUR rcmedyl
know that it isohjccted that Massachu.
sets, which ncver cast r Democratic vote,
can give thirteen votes in the Convention
TO eight from South Carolina; and admit
hhe force of the objection. But | repeat
where is the remedy If only the States
and Districts having Democratic Reprcseu
aatives III Congress are 10 be represented at
Cincinnati, We should have but seventy
tour delegates there, which is the present
Democratic Representations in Congress. |,
would be equally unfair to admit reprcsen
eatives only from those States that in the
preceding Presidential contest had voted
ser The democratic nominee. Ia that case
the Convention Of 1874 would have been
composed only o. delegates from the seven
States that voted for Mr.. Van Buren in
1880, and the Convention of 1852 wonlJ
dave been composed solely of representa-.
tives from the minority of States that sus.
tanned Gen. CSss in 1913. Nor would il
DC proper that the twenty seven States
which voted for Gen. Pierce in 1852 should
only be represented at Cincinnati. because
nt Is not impossible that six or seven of The
States that then went for Pierce may in the
f.ext PRESIDENTIAL contest cast their votes for
the Black Republican candidate, willie two
of the four States that voted for Scott
kentucky and Tennessee-are nearly Ger.
tam TO sustain the nominee of the Demo
cratic Convention. II by any of these
plans injustice could be avoided it would
be well, but injury would be certain TO re-
suit from all OF them, and the Convention
system seems to me to be the only one
embodying safety and feasibility. know
that 1t is easy to start objections, and poor
must be the mind that has not ingenuity
sufficient to ind flaws in every scheme of
human devisement, but we are left only n
choice of evils, and must select the best
plan. l claim not perfection for the Con.
ventlon system, but great principles can.
not be carried out without party orraniza-
ton, and that organization cannot be
preserved save by the means which ! have
indicated
The Cincinnati Convention is of the
highest importance, for it is certain that
a,
body. 1t is impossible for her to act other.
wise; Tor 1t Is certain that the next Pres-
dental contest will be between the nomi.
Heos of the democratic and black republican
parties, and this State could not but prefer
the most fshy democrat to black reoubli
can. Such being the state of facts, what is
the dnty of South Carolina? She has 8
votes, and l49 constitute a majority of the
Whole number. The two.thrds rule, that
safe and conservative rule which defeated
M Van Burcn IN 1874, is sure Of adop.
uon. II may work badly in some instan-
oes, but should never be sacrificed. South
Carolina can then cast 8 votes for her
choice, out under the two.thirds rule. il
WIZ require ~ votes TO neutralize her votes
cast against any Objectionable man. OUGHT
not this power to be exercisedl We ara
certain, as | have showed. to vote for the
nominee of the Cincinnati Convention, and
why should we not be there to take part in
hls selection. Tie prominent candidates
9To, lst. Gen. Pierce, who has proved true
TO tho south and tho Constitution. 1t is
our duty 70 ses;ain him as our first choice.
Next to dim q Senator Douglas. Mr. Blu.