Lynchburg daily Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1852-1861, 1858-09-27
9pafhbnr9 Hir9iaiau.
South Carolina Politics-rhe Palmetto
Aritatnd - IS = Z

Monday Morning. ...... ,s<...sept'r 81, 1858.
South Carolina Politios-rhe Palmetto
Agitassd-
South Carolina has always occupied an ostye
and isolased position in the politics Of the country
She has never coalesced with any Of the other
Susss except in 1855. IN any political movement.
Proclaiming the doctrine Of State Sovereignty, she
has adhered to Il with . more tenacious hold than
any other STATE Of tho Union. Whatever powers
the General Government has exercised, South Car
oliua has always reluctantly yelded-and what
ever powers belong to State Sovereignty, whether
expressly Of by implication, she has always CLAIM
ed and essrcised to the fullest extent.
80 proud was South Carolina in her isolation,
that she would never consent to any political CO.
operation with the other States. Whatever che
has done in general elections, she has done indie
psudentfy and ''cn her own hook" Until 1856.
she could never be induced to send delegates to a
National Democratic Convention. Notwithstand-
ing her exelusiveness and pride. there was some
thing about this course of conduct that provoked
our admiration and excited our respect
But in 1856, South Carolina fell Under the
influence Of q new race of politicians Of the ORR
school, she lowered her crest, and consented to tho
humiliation of a general scramble in National
Democratic Convention. There were those
who resisted this course, but they were over
powered. There were nearly oil the politicians OF
South Carolina Of the nnc,ea reTme, headed hy
their old and able organ. the Charleston Mercury.
who steadily resisted ibr Innovation upon South
Cardinals established policy. They hold aloof
tho ntba far they
could do SO. committed the proud old State for all
time to come, to the prccarious fortunes OF Ma
tionsY Democracy. They bound South Carolina
70 the chariot wheel of modern bogus Democracy
and their they intend to keep her. against the
expostnlations and circumstances of the Oldest and
ahlest Of her statesmen.
There is no doubt that a tremendous outside
pressure helped to accomplish this end. The other
States felt offended at South Carolna's refusal to
he spoils. II was standing rcproach to them
that Carolina would not SO far demcan herself HI
10 unite with them in their pursuit Of power and
plunder. They became annoyed that they could
not bring the Palmetto State down TO their own
leyel-and they determined to relieve their own
feeling even though it cost South Carolina sacri
fee of her traditional pride, INDEPENDENCE, and
scf.respect
They succeeded in 1856, and we suppose they
will meet with no further difficulty in the future.
The nail which driven in 1856 was clinchcd
by the selection of Charleston rs the next place
of meeting of the Democratic National Conven-
ton. 1t was further clnched by tho selection Of
ORR for Speaker Of the National House of Rep
resentatiyea Thus the National Democracy at
last succeeded in seducing South Carolina from
her proud position, and causing her to mnge in
the strifes and excitements of the great sPoiLs
party of the Union.
Let it not be supposed, however, that South
Carolina unanimously agrees to this arrangement. |
Her Ablest aud best men Indignantly repudiatc /
he association. The ORR purity has the majority !
IF numbers, and has succeeded in carrying the
State with them-but the Independent party has
the majority Of intellect the responsibility, the
wealth. and the chivalry Of the Palmetto State,
A notable OCCASION has recently presented itself
for an exhibition Of the spirit and sentiment of
these latter--the tribute Of n public dinner to
that faithful representative of ancient South Caro-
lima in Congress, the Hon. MIrlEpGG l.. BoNnAM
And it is the perusal Of the eloquent and stir
ring letters written IN the occasion by some of
the leading politicians of the State that has caused
as thus to advert to the present position of par
ties in Sorth Carolina, und their relations to the
national politics of the country.
Two conclusions cannot fail ta be drawn from
the perusal Of these letters. The frat is that the
English Swadle" finds no favor with the people
of South Carolina. BoNn,M, who, of all the dele
cation, stood alone in opposition it, is the toas,
of the State. His praise is n every bodys mouth.
His name is ringing from one end of the State to
the other. Ehe remainder of the delegation are
reduced to the necessity of making apn"geic ex-
cuses for their ccirse-a,i kept Orr, who is 50
national hat he is no longer IL Carolnan.-
The other conclusion to be drawn Is that the
flower Of the State get repadate the attempt to
cast South Carolina down into the slough Of Ma
tionaP Democracy. They are believers in State
Sovereignty in practice, as well as in profession.
They will maintain the aucient renown Of the
Palmetto State AZ we'll against the force of supe-
rior numbers in their own midst, NJ against the
and seductions of National De-