Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1871-05-18
Sueeclii Of Gen. M. W,Cary,

the lltn lnSC., SuStstiilliiS CIle hePOrI Va
the Committee on Cumulative Voting.
Gen. GARY said:- ~
MR.. PREs1DENT:-Asithe Chairman of
the Committee which prepared and pre-
sented that Report, through MI. Thomas,
one of its members, It may be expected
that I should give my views. I would
ask: Why have we gathered, together
from all parts of the State? Why have
the wise men of the State met in coun-
sell? From the fact that taxes have been
levied by the present Legislature, which,
in our impoverished condition, we are
unable to pay. To say that these abuses
of the Government have been effected by
the Republican or Radical party, would
be unjust, for it would be gross mis-
nomoner to dignity those now in'power
by any party name. They are known by
all honest men, North, South, East and
West, irrespective of party alliances, as
thieves and robbers; for they. are not
governed by, nor do they regard the
principles and policy embodied in the tl1!
Platform of the Republican party. We
have assembled then to take counsel
against these abuses of powers, to repre-
sent the intelligence and the tax payers
of South Carolina, and to enter solemn
protest against the past record Of those in
power. How can we reach the evils? 1t
is known to all that the Legislature i'm
poses the taxes. We must then seek to
control the Legislature through its mem.
bers. These are elected every two years
by ballot. Then the first thing to be done,
is to petition them to repeal or modify
the existing Election Laws, since they
were notoriohsly enacted in behalf OF
fraud. The boxes are kept in the hands
of the managers of the polls days and
nights after the polls were closed, giving
ample time to change or to stuff the boxes
with fraudulent votes.
But we have majority against us OF
$4,000 votes; and even if by C repeal oi
the present election laws, we could secure
fair election, this immense majority
still remains. am as far from surren
dering my rights as any member of this
Convention, nor am I willing to throw
aside any principle. If we can secure
respectable minority in the Legislative
body, do we not gain stand point from
which to work?
am not here to discuss abstract theo.
ries of Government; we had enough Of
that in the days of Mr.. Calhoun. But to
meet crying evil, to take practical
view of our anomalous condition; and
I accept the cumulative system of voting
in the same spirit that would receive
half loaf as being better than no bread at
all.
presenting the report I do not think
the Committee intend to commit them
selves as being in favor of universal suf-
frage. I am sure did not. My friend,
Mr.. Trenholm, seems to have fallen into
this error. He says st the principle Of
universal suffrage is one that commends
itselfto the intelligence of every man zone
that the Statesmen of all countries have
at times opposed in vain" I would ask
what is Government organized for but
the protection of the lives, liberties and
property of its subjects? The protection
of property is the third element in every
Republican form of Government, and il
property holders are taxed without rep
resentation, is not one of the essential
elements for which Government is crea-
ted, violated and disregarded?
Mr.. President, my friend mistakes, in
my judgment, the action of the English
Parliament, and of the States of Illinois
and Pennsylvania, as being evidences in
favor of universal suffrage. To my mind
they appear as indices to retro active
movement against universal suffrage.
When he says that "the Statesmen of all
countries have at times opposed, in vain,
universal suffrage" 1 agree with him.
Such is the fact, but when he tells me
"the principle commends itself to the
intelligence of every man." Iagain differ
with him in toto. have always regard
ed the cry for universal suffrage, as that
of the demagogue who is willing "to
build his greatness upon his country $
ruin" It is the watch word of the mere
politician who has not patriotism and
honesty enough to elevate linn above a
party platform. Those who have reached
and aspire to level above that of any
party, their country's good, will have
their names inscribed against this mon
strous political fallacy. I do not believe
that any one who has studied and become
imbued with the philosophy of true Gov
ernment, could ever lay his hand upon
his heart and advocate universal suffrage.
1t is the subterfuge of the politician who
caters to ignorant masses, for personal
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT.
did not propose to refer to National
politics in this Convention, and l regrt
that any allusion should have been made
to them, directly or indirectly. Nor did
1 intend to bring in review the principles
of the recent Revolution, for I am, for
one, willing to let by-gones be by cones.
I am content to live without office and
honors, for the principles for which our
gallant living and heroic dead fought,
Constitutional Liberty. I do not think it
becomes us to-day to refer to the past
but must take this occasion to say that,
in my judgment, the people of the North
do not understand and appreciate the
present sentiment of the best people of
the South. Our prejudices against them
arc fast dying out, since slavery and
secession, which were the irritating
causes, are now dead issues. The Presi-
dent and his administration, as well as
Congress, labor under agrievous mistake
in supposing that we are opposed to the
present Government simply because it is
under the control of Radicals, or Repub-
licans.
1t is not the fact. We arc opposed to it,
because it does not faithfully administer
the laws, and from the fact that we are
plundered under the forms of law.
Our people are an agricultural people,
and do not mix great deal in politics.
Two thirds of them scarcely know The
difference between the Platforms of the
nor, onrntic and Rennhlican narties But