The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1856-02-14
The Cincinnati Convention.


objections to the system Of voting adopted
IN The National Convention. The inequal-
'ty OF the vote might he partially removed
10y allowing to each State in Convention, a
number of votes equal to the Democratic
Representatives in Congress. Even this
would not be an equal distribution of power;
yet, it would throw the preponderance of
power where the strength of the party lies.
The Convention itself is only competent to
prescribe rules for its own government ;
and the South should, if she consents to
n representation in the Convention, strenu-
ously insist upon the adoption of this or
some more equitable rule, by which she
could WELD an influence commensurate with
her Democratic strength. If the old sys-
tenn of voting is to obtain in the Convcn-
ton, we go into it with a full knowledge of
the fact that, though the South is the strong
hold OF the party, we must of necessity
submit to the mercy of the North.
Though there may he, at this particular
time, more urgent reasons for sending dele
gates to the Cincinnati Convention than
ever heretofore existed, to sustain and CO.
operate with the Democratic party in Sc
Letting nominee for the Presidency, we
are not prepared to advocate The policy
without some assurance that the South
would have, if not an equal, an assimilation
to equality in tho deliberations of that
body.
There is another Objectionable principle
that invariably crceps into and becomes the
prcdominating element of all nominating
caucuses-which is that Of making the
availability of the man proposed. the basis
OF the nomination, and ignoring the noblcr
test OF capacity and fitness for the station.
When a candidate is proposed, the ques-
tons then come up-ls lie acceptable to
the party? will the party support him from
every section Of the Uuion or has he Der
l'aps, for his bold advocacy of consttu-
tional principles in some of the great past
issues of the country, rendered himself Oh
noxious to certain sections? If so, his su-
pcri"rity of intellect, his high claim to
honor anil position will Lc discarded, and
though his ability and devotion to ma
tons interest may be undoubled, yet lie is
quietly laid upon the shelf, for second rate
man, one who can lay no claim to great
ncss--perllaps obscure and unknown. 1t is
a notable fact, that availabiIity-tl,is ruling
divinity of party conventions has, in the
latter days of the Republic, ovcrsl,alowed
those Of the highest worth and merit, and
lifted to position those stamped by nature
with infcriority. 1t is lamcntably true, that
the great men Of the nation can never wear
the Executive robes. 1t is true, that in
some instances man is selected who proves
himself competent to the discharge of his
duties to the country. We acknowledge,
with proud satisfaction, the selection of
President PIERCE as one of those instances.
In his recent messages, he has given the
highest evidence Of ability rs statesman
of patriotism and devotion to the Con-
stitution. He has proved worthy Of the
trust confi,led to him. Though we cannot
consent that the State should go into the
Cincinnati; Convention, without l.dicaI re-
forms i'll its organization.
We arc far from wishing to stiilc discus
sion upon this question. Let meetings of
the people he called the question be
discussed calmly. If it does no other good,
it may enlighten political sentiment among
the people. We have thought that our
people are too Indifferent, and exhibit too
much political apathy upon questions in
Which their interest is materially involved.
If this matter was discussed before the pco-
pie, we have no do"bt but that public opin-
ion Of this State would sanction the propri-
ETY. Of holding convention in Columbia
for the purpose of approving PIERcE's Ad-
mnistration, and nominating him for re-
election. This, we think, would he the
proper course of all the Southern States.
Thus, to nominate him by States, and let it
he understood at the North that the South
had pitched upon her man, and would sup
port no other, then, If there is no rotten
ness in the Democracy Of the North upon
the question Of slavery, they will rally to
his support.
We hope our public men will give the
people the benefit of their reflections. Our
columns are open to all, and we invite dis
cussion upon any subject of public interest
The Nations Eetravog"nce.-The Al
bany Journal contains the following list Of
articles imported to this country, and the
cost: For the year ending August 3lst,