The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-06-22


this has been charged to be the commence
ment of concerted movement against the
Conventionists, I take occasion to say, that
l never exchanged word With any one on
the subject, exoept'at the meeting of the
Charleston delegation Tin which, suppose,
it iseonceded the, ,Conventionists are in the
majority when it seemed to be- understood
that weiWould oppose the appointment of
Committees by the presiding officer. I
made the motion, -beca6seslJ had noss sue
ceeded in finding the Chairman of my dele
CATION, Col. Hayne, by'whom expected
the motion to be made.
I say, then, that in this, the first step to-
wards organization, the Convention party
ignored usaltogether. That it was move
,pent to get possession ofthe, Convention
and while. I nequit yon, Mr.: Presideussof
any knowledge Of their intentions, or any
desire for heposition,TI notacquit them
of making their selection; and Keeping the
party with whom act ignorant of it, With
fixed purpose to power and control in
this body. 1t has been charged, as another
evidence of opposition, that another candi-
date was nominated. I have already said
there was no concert on our. side in this
matter. He was nominated by gentle
man on this floor, and ih5asaery few mo-
ments be was withdrawnsby the same gen,
tleman. This shows plainly there could
have BEEN no concert. iYou we're then
elected 4 Mr. President, almost unanimous
ly. ~
Thesnext cause of complaint Is the selec-
ton Of the district system in the mode of
bslIoting. AS an evidence of the absence
,[yof concert, mention that i voted against
it But to defend those who act with me
1fom the. charge of doing IAN ything unusual
I refer to the late April Convention when
Ethesame rule was pursued. Aud for still
later evidence. refer tp a resolution offered
by Mr.. B. H. Wilson, one of the delegates
of&the, State at large, on the first day of the
meeting of this present Convention. Let
it be remembered that the subject matter
|sat -thetime was the choice,of the President
ofethis-body. His resolution is as follow
b :. Resolued, "TKat all votes; ,betaken. by
districts, and that each election district be
en,itledsto cast the number Of votess.it i.
entitled oscasts sipthe' e'Senate and House OF
Representatives underthe. apportionment
ofrls5o.' = -.
The year 1s49 was substituted for 1850
and the resolution was agreed to Without a
division. 'All'y0tes,' Fprespme, must mean
all 5alletestSo., Who then afesthe authors
of the district system !, Our s.friends ,stbes
Oonventionists adopted it<in thasApriL Con-
veution, and on the motion Of disnpgdish-
edspember of'their party i bassbeeh .adop,
/ tedsbere also. Bs&bat circumstance are
he tegattribute their sudden opposition to
this plan 81. theft own deyising am at a
-Iossl5f any-otter solut;aasstha the disco:
estystflat i has worked Sadly foraheir pur:
tpossA They stHs to-day for the,frst time
discovered that they are in minority 81
ID the operation of their own rule and il. ha;
fconverted approval into oppositiQns TGsJ
now cbasges US Sith organizingts sgsten
in which they Discover fuudameatai. error
8 sand againstawhich last evening not one o
them raiSsd his:yoicednstbis assembly.
I think I hive thus efeetaaly exculpatst
thosewith whoni act from efhe charge o
4 tbe arbitrary nss of'power, SO freely sg,
eaFaestlys Brought egsius. US. !. ;.
The last 4asnd gu which they rest thei
f complaints agaiasr isis, that msbaye chose,
, ons,iadiyiaual WHO wAs.uotone. OF the for
FINER delegates. hassto some extent, a
ready ansiaifated, lin psrt, my exasaiasta,
of1this ground! / 'hasy< shown. that si,s
desire Of the Gonyensieuists is,ikst. W
|. acknowledgement their whdlsaslsstion sop,
having been withdrawn; they ks.anbrag
. at the. success of one Of our canahsatss oSe
their nominee, who sassnot Of 'aheir party
ssak hst tbesn. that tAeif ,dsaAlisfae
: ton eees. .sssa ;bsyoud n q ference ks s
!, would diaS 'iEem, goas ofahais MIN
tssIfer' 'nenss - tlIeiss iaaSs -
) ex jssed. AN kar
lied would jaeiaEstk so6s assss q 8
VI phpsfdp dpps6t ~ Sasssssilis ssls
!. reeeis& On nefssnsb q sllssis .p1sls
i, Tbeiss SSS aI tiESie sds@sa 81
. must bsrsssiafets ansdas the esnslansS sNlla.
, EhaSe li.a e. election, haye heSassas i
8 aethia less than shsa 6.taui ieh,ha ssol
tisks R.l sssasfy ,hsa M ~ .s,.s; ,s;
M.. PfaNdsns, IaaS % 6 Sssas3 1 asa
II sa asasp be- ylsssiinl .sS
s1sslectiSn tes 1sss Vds3ss
. ss atsni iss5 a pkrfy whicl
!; SO 6aiessibs
f't tsss, Hp)
zI Rsfs ssssess !