The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1856-03-19
TErom tie Chester Standard.
WASHINGTON. Feb. "a, SO


aMy Dear SRI have had various
applications from newspaper Editors to
know my opinion Of tho Cincinnati Con.
veu,ion. These have declined to answer,
because presume the object was to give
publicity through the papers. The sub
je"t is II grave one to be decided by argu-
ment and not by the inhVence Of names.
My position here docs not enable me to
form better opinions than may be formed
by Others at home, but have on this as
on most olher questions, All opinion which
has never been withheld from my private
friends, and such as it is, have no hesi-
ta,ion in giving to you. There are .nany
objections to such assemblies, the greatest
Of which is the mode Of organization. Ii
they could De constituted 80 rs to reflect
truly public opinion, l do not sec any
very great objection. But this is not so.
In the primary assemblies the chief actors
aro intriguing politicians who look to the
dis,rbu,i,n 0i the immense patronage of
tho government more than tile great prin.
ciRles of the party. The great Object
should DC 10 SELECT the man who is the
best exponent Of ,he principles Of the par
ty, to which We lslQns, exslu4ing entire
ly all selfish considerations. But whilst
mans natore is HnchaHge9 we shall never
realize this. Tie worst symptom Of tho
times is, the numerous herd of oti!ce-hun-
tiers. The question with them is not WHO
will best carry out the great principles Of
the Constitution but from whom arc they
l-.l .,1,
are in all the North and Yves, aud some
what at the South) the active politicians
who mauase TO get themselves appointed
delegates, with II view to make the best
bargain for themselves. The mania of
office seeking has AS yet but little inllu.
encc on the people of our State, and it
may be that this is owing in some degree
to our avoiding such Conventions. But
1t seems to me, there arc times ana occI-
sions which ju.,i'y a departure from for
mer T,agcs. Party is inseparabIc from
popular governments. Since the davs of
Washington, no man has stood out SO
prominently that aii eyes were turned to-
wa,ds h;p: Every section has its favor,
lie, and II each section voted without con-
cert for its first choice, they would be
beaten 10y unity ofaction in the opposition,
or every elcctor would 60 into the uouse
OF Rcpi sentative, to select from the three
highest. Some preconccn seems therefore
to I've necessary for the success Of the par.
ly. The first mode was a Congressional
caucus, but this WAS broken down in
1924. The prrseat mode WAS substituted
after General !acksdn's time and has been
acted on ever since. The greatest objec-
tlon to it is, as have before stated, that
it represents the Intriguing, selfish poli,i.
clans, and not the unbiased and honest
views Of the masses. Such an assembly
will meet others and will designate who is
to be the candidate Of the Democratic
party, whether we arc represented or not.
1t is equally certain that South Carolina
will vote for the nominee. Tlevhoice will
be between him and the nominee of the
Know Notlnms>, and the nomince of the
Aboli,ioni>t, or Black Republicans rs they
are called. President Pierce is n man az
ter our own hearts. Both in words and
ln deeds he comes nearer to our opinions
than any man who has preceded linn for
the last thirty years. Our vote may give
him the nomination, and my best judy.
ment is :hat We ough, to ioiu in the sselec-
ton. Whether We shall do so in future,
may depend on circumstances.
IL would not give the delegates posi-
tive instructions to vote for no other, bat
they should be distinctly informed that he
is not to Le given up until all chance If
success fails. certainly prefer him to
all other men, but there are others from
whom we may expect good, but they have
not given, rs yet, the evidence. The
great impedincnt in the way Of Mr..
Pierce arises, | fear from the cause before
stated. His reelection will dsappoint the
masses Of tho acpirants for office, as it is
not to be expected that he will turn out
his own arPs0.!in,tteae:s, Ps.!i,ttas, tS, putin new men of
the same party. It i. said the Offices are
The gift of the Hre,iJSpi and worth 80
millions Of dollars for the four years.
For share of these sDoils sl,sre are fifty
thousand aspIr,nts ut least. If there is
an entire change Of party, this immense
sum is the stakes to DC wen, and the in
fluence Of the immense number is brought
directly TO bear against the party in pow
er and partly against the nomination Of
tho incumbent by his own party"
Your oL,Pt S-rv't,
JOSIAH J. EVANS.