The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1856-03-21

three. Population is the basis of the
one, and of the other the basis is population,
taxation and artificial divisions of territory
What right, ask, has section to demand
tor her taxes and parishes dsproportional
influence in the selection of the chief execu-
tive magistrate of the Union, when by the
federal constitution influence and power in
federal elections are directed to be distrbu-
ted in proportion to population
| will not occupy the time Of the COM
mi,tee BY cnlarging on this poi,t. To my
mind, it is plain, the compromises Of the
State constitution have 10 reference to the
federal might each section should have il,
federal elections, but were entirely confined
to the distribution of power i'll reference to
State affairs. This, The main objection,
being disposed Of, 1 will consider the other,
that by the change the people would be
corrupted, the unanimity Of the State lost,
and the State driven into the vortex OF MI
tional politics. am one of those who
believe the people of the South to lie cap;,-
hle of exercising all the rights of frcemeu
directly, and without intervention of any
agency. Why should not South Caroliuias
elect electors? In all other cases they arc
one degree removed trvm the choice Of the
highest fuuclionaries Of government. There
Is but one body between them, and the
choice of governor, Judges and United
States Senators; and why is it second body
should he interposed between them and the
choice of the President? Is there any nrc,s.
sity for this difference in the mode of a<ccr
lalning the popular wil9 We, in thu.
South, should not dread popular elections
Slavery with US is powerful clement of
conservatism, sufficient Of itself to keep in
check all dangerous tendencies among us
towards expansive and explosive radiraIism
The citizr" with It's belongs to privileged
ORDER in soriety-to privileged class.
More than half of our population is scrvilc.
DISTINGUISHED ant! dvlarred from ever attain.
ing to frcedom. Universal suffrage. there
fore, can reach 10 less than one-half of orr
not II tithe OF whom live in
cities or villages, but are agricultnrists sell
dom going beyond their neighhorhooda.
and Of all classes in society the hardest to
arouse to anything like general excitement.
Such people cannot he corrupted by elec-
tions; they may become too ignorant Of
politics to exercise intel'igently their rights
by persuading them to take no interest in
public affairs
In the ancient republics citizenship was
confined to the inhabitants of the cities and
the voters attended The elections in vast
throngs, surrounded by every inducement
10 turbulence and anarchy, and il was no
wonder the population became lcentious
and tyrannical. In South Carolina, outsi,}e
OF the cities, | believe there are but few
election boxes Where the number of votes
polled is greater than in the Legislature on
a joint ballot. Were speaking for New
York or Massachusetts,, might well fear
the results Of adding to the popular ele
ments or characteristics of the government !:
for in each Of those States the nopular
strength is already too much unchecked by
Il, the conservative part Of society. Their
liberty IS fast running the career of the an
cent commonwealth, after the people had
seized hold Of the reins Of government. =,
This election has not corrupted or weak
ened the, unaninitys Of the people of Ala.
bama or Mississippi. The people of those
States are rs consistent Democrats as we
are, are no more corrupted than we are.
and afford US an example of what we should
be, were the;clection of electors for Presi
dent and Vice-P President to be given to the
people. There. the ablest men of the State
are electors, and visit every county to dis
cuss the great principles of their party.
This is what We want in South Carolina. As
we are now, situated, but two elections of
any political character belong to the
people,: Those who run for the Legislature
are mostly unprepared and unfit to discuss
the great questions of State which enter
into every Presidential canvass. We want
our abltst men, our orators and statesmen.
upon these great occasions, to 90 amonp
the peoplestand instruct, excite and arouse
tl,emsupon the issues: between the5parties.
Ifls This way wessswili have enlightenment.
polihcat knowledge aud intelligence sown
broadcast over the land. Sooner or later.
in my Judgment. we will sgiye this election
to the people, not because It is gi4in6to tie
upper, conntfy its just proportion Of spohti-
cal power but because it win be found swiisfs iss
aud necessary as q scheme Of pn6ljoeDliGhts
eniDeni, as the only scheme sahsreky politi.
gag knowledge can Be impaired t6 The
people
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