Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1856-03-12
AN ABSTRACT OF THE
Remarks of n. w. Gary, Esq


and u1idgr1h wise provisions # the Constitution 10
administer even handed Justice To all OF her clti-
zcns, is an occasion Of great AMI exciting moment
to her distinguished Statesmen, and one that never
fail. to quicken thrpnkatiohs ,evea, Of herihum9cst
patriots. Already has our gallant sentinel in the
! IIuuse Of Representatives expressed himself III
favor Of our taking prt in the approaching Con-
yention, and the demonstration of public sentiment
shows that the great of our people are willing
to respond tc his counsel =
AS important AMI deeply absorbing as this nom
na,iun has ever been to the people Of this Conede-
rac, perhaps there is no period of her hisoryJn
which the election Of President that would stand
bv the Constitution, aud protect the threatened
RIGHTS Of the South his been Of greater solicitude or
would contribute more to the pcrpetuty Of this
Union. Judging from the temper OF The times,
we are convinced that il the part OF wisdom AID
PATRIOTISM to counsel in harmony with. our sister
States; I'M tn cast our aid and influence in tha
nomination Of Il candidate that will favor the Pc
culi,r interests of the South.
1t has been the policy Of South Carolina for tho
last fifteen years, wth'a few exceptions, to take no
part in the nomination, and often to throw away ler
vote. 4 blind adherence to custom that has
proven to BIZ OF no practical benefits political ad-
vancrmcnt or utility, lis the part OF u bgoscd and
narrow minded conservatism that does Rot deserve
the encouragement Of free and enlightened public
opinion time c,n never hallow that which sim
potent in opcra,ion and injurious in ts effects.
The great name of CALHOUN, "whtse snid viz
tues the shot Of accident, or the dart Of ctiance,
could neither pierce penetrate, is brought tor-
ward rs the nsuperabe and convincing arsumrnr
against going into the Convention. 1t las been
well said that what is a ~ise act to-day may nut
be- so tomorrow The facts and circumstances thnt
Influenced Mr. CAEnouS's opinion have since chang
ed. The policy d meeting in Convention, to nenf-
mate candidates for the Presidency and Vice Presi-
dency, is no longer an experimental has been
alnpted or acqu;esced in by every State in the Union
except ours. And by the principles Of the common
law it has become an is recognized as fixed and
importan, part Of the political machinery Of ou-
Government. We admit llleiforce Of tie objections
to the basis Of the organization OF the conVen'lonr
that is that the larger States have too much power
that the spirit Of the Convention is not carried
out But, Sir. the same argument, il carried to ls
looieal sequence would exclude US from the Federal
House of Representatives, for the Black Republican
party are now in the majority-Ihe Constitution has
ceased TO be regarded sacred, and its provisions
are not faithfully observed.
Previous to the adoption OF The Convention system
Congressional caucus was the mode pi nonhna''nS 8
President and Vice President. Mr.. CALHOUN in
his letter Of February, \. d. 1914, states that tins
was corrupt, vile. and ae,noralizing system: and
that he, together with Grn. JACKSON, aided IN put.
ting il doun. In the sume letter he admits that
the provisions Of the Constitutional method are too
refined for practice. Experience has verified the
correctness Of his Judgement.
In the year 1901, the election Of the President
and Vice President devol we'd upon the Federal
House Of Representatives After many disgraeeful
p,rirucs J .rrERsox was elected By a siuslc vote
over BURR. The operation Of the Constitutional
method WAS then admitted, by all parties, to be I'm
satisfactory AMI detective Again, in the year 1924,
there wils no Congressional caucus, or nomination
in convention. JACKSON thong receiving the high
| est vote in the Electoral College, WAS defeated Ill
the Federal House Of Representatives BY JonN
. Or,ScY ADAMS. the most bitter aud distinguished
, Abul;tonist or his day. Ths election proved 70 be
entirely different from the wishes Of the people,
and confrr,rd al honest Statesmen in their Judg-
ment as to the previously developed defects OF the
Constitutional rnrlhul. And, in order TO remedy
this evil. in the year 1928, BENTON in the Senate,
and AlcUUrrIE in the House, introduced resolutions
to a.,cnL the Constitutional method, which were
voted down: and it remains III full force, Cloth
I'd with all of its faults and defects.
Then, Sir, since Congressional caucus"s no longer
exist since the provisions Of the Constitution have
proven to b. too refined in theory for practice, and
since We have failed in amending them, we are ine-
vitbly reduced to ilobson's chuicc-hat Of taking
the Convention as it is.
The Convention is not such US We would have it.
neither, Sir is the Constitution ITSELF and we cal,
only lind a perfectly org .rhcd government in Platos
Ideal Republic, or Noore's Utopia. We live in all
as. e.nincny distinguished for its progress, prac-
tcabiIty and utility; uud ask what are we to gain
bv standing aloof any unger from the Convention (
In the last fifteen years have we made single con-
yer. to our isolated position Lave we ingratated
ourselves with single State2 Or have we not
rather alirnatei our sister States from us BY this
exclusive pvlicy' In fact, have our rights been
better protected and secured Have our grievances
been more readily listened 10, and wrongs more
Quickly re.lresscd No, Sir. The wild spirit Of
Northrrn aggression has turned deaf cur to our
complaints; and the iron heel OF fanaticsn has not
been less grinding and degrading.
Again, can it be denied that so ong as South
Carolina remains in this Confedcracy, she must and
dues feel direct intrsest in the proper admnistra-
ton of the Government Does she not partlke Of
its goud fortune, and must she not share its evils
|, is no, also matter Of fact, that the Government
will anly b. administered favoraby 10 South Caro-
lima. when that party that recognises the Const'tu-
,nal existence of Southern institutions is in power
And do We consider any other purity, except tho
Democratic, rs being favorable TO the South Then
the Democratic party must be placed in power, and
this is done by every Democratic State eoneentrat-
ing their influence by sending delegates to the
Democratic Convention. The refusal Of any State
to send Delegates is detraclon from the whole or
aggregate influence of the party. Those, ,hcre'ore,
who refuse to send delegates want"nly diminish.
the chances oI nominating candidate that will
favor their own views and subserye their interest