The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1862-09-10
lroR TIE LANCASTER LEDGER

| over the proceedings of the various public
meetings held throughout the State, in ref.
ercEce TO the power which the Governor
and Council have assumed in making The
appointments over the First Corps Of Re-
serves. That something more than \ mere
paper resistance is seriously anticipated
There is vital principle involved which
underI'cs this usurpauoa Of power, which,
if not checked by the power behiaS the
throne, may lead on 10 the final overthrow
OF our dearest rights as a free people
Now this usuTpation Of power, abslraclly
considered, may not be so fear ful, bu, if we
are denied the exercise of our privileges MS
ireemen at the ballot box, in this instance,
may we not expect that this is but the be-
ginning OF the end of a complete depolism'
| Now over whom have the Governor and
Council presumed to appoint officers over
the r'pest intellect, perhaps, in The State
| When and at what age, in their estimation,
will men be in the full enjoyment of their
mental faculties if it DC not between the
ages of 35 aud SO? Are the mrn compos
ing the First Corps Of Reserves regarded
as mere boys, that the Governor and Coun-
ell should make the appointments for them!
Who, ! ask, ure better calculated to make
| judicous selections at the ballot box! Is
all this to be regarded as n mere stroke of
policy, or is it done pro bono puJlico am
very much inclined 10 the former opinion.
to scatter their appointments broad cast over
the State, the Governor and Council may
expect these appointments will be received
and appreciated by the lucky appioutees,
and their families and friends, rs grdci0us
Jarors. graciously bestomed by the Governor
and Council upon them in consequence OF
some latent, or patent, fitness for the posi-.
iioD, and in this point of view it is clearly
a stroke ofpolicy. The Governor and Coun-
Gil too are aware Of the fact that their course
has long since been the source Of much unx
iety, to the rejecting minds Of the State,
aud il the conjecture above is right, which
think is not devoid of strong probability
st least. These gracious favors, were they
10 DC received 10 the same gracious spirit
IN which they are rendered, might we'll be-
expected TO have some influence in restoring
them 10 the confidence oc the people
Whose confidence they have so openly abus.
ed, bringing into close union and fellow
feeling, rs it would, almost every influential
family in The State. In this view it would
be clearly stroke to lengthen their own
cords, and strengthen their own stakes
But will the policy, if policy it was that
| moved the Governor and Council TO make
these appointments, meet the desired ends
'ntended! Will the fortunate gentlemen
who have received the appointments feel
'Lat ihey have been raised to positions of
honor and preferment, by the gracious kind
ness OF these wonderful usurpers, when,
sober thinking men, men too, who have held
themselves above bowing to the Governor
and Council and begging them for office,
meet IN public meetings throughout the
State and pass solemn resolutions pledglng
their lives and their fortunes to resist the
action of these de,po,s! Can an officer
feel that he is hOEorcd by the command
given to him by man, or set OF men who
have no legal right to give and whose com-
mands are opposed to them from other reu-
sons. The Governor and Council have the
same legal righ; to appoint members TO the
Legislature. Ordinares, Clerks, and Sheriff,
for the Districts throughout the State, that
they have to appoint Colonies, Lieut. Col
onels and Majors, and should be submitted
to just rs readily, and they have just as
much Constitutional right to say that We
shall lot elect our Representatives in Oc,o.
Der pexL as they had to appoint officers
| oyar, ~ 4, ,,.,, l. ~, Al, -