The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-19
[FOr the watchman.l
THE APPROACHING CONVENTION,

Mr.. EDITOR IL see q call for a
meeting of the citizens Of Sumter Coun.
ty, at Sumter, on the first Monday in
May, to appoint delegates to conven-
tiou to be held at Columbia, on the 9th
of May.
l. was glad to zee the call, and to
know that our people are waking up to
the subject of their grievances. We
have endured the oppression as long
as it is possible for US to stand it. The
writer knows some as good and honest
citizens as there are in che country, who
cannot possibly pay their taxes. Take,
for instance, the old and iu6rm, white
and colored, the widows and orphans.
Yea, sir, take some ofour most iudustri-
GUS young men, with large families and
but little meaus How is il possible for
them to support those dependent upon
them, do their duty to God iu the way
of bencvolencc, and pay their taxes? It
is utterly impossible.
1t may be said, NC N ust support our
Government. This We can do, and feel
able to do; but not such Government
as We now have. Why is so much ne
cessary to support it? Sir, it is not ne
cessary. Let the people send some Of
our conservative Legislators to the Con-
vention, and they will tell the world it
is not necessary And we hope they
will go prepared to show us the figures.
Let such men as Generals Kershaw
Butler asd others gather all the facts
and figures, and carry them to the Con-
veution.
The question may be asked, what can
we do? We answer, let the facts and
figures be given plainly and truthfully
to our people and to the world, and pub.
lie opinion (intelligence) will break
down this state Of things. Who are our
Legislators Are they men who know
any thing about politics, or the priuci-
pies of political economy Not bit Of
it, sir. Mr.. Calhoun said, to be poll
tician, it is necessary TO be good
political economist. Who are the men
in the Legislature who know anything
about politics, or the principles Of polit-
ical economy? All, sir, it is sad to say
Low few. Some Of our great mer would
say none. Some ofour Legislators would
say none, as compared with what We
have had. A Democratic, Represents
tive, Republican Government is a
complicated machine, and it takes mas
ter hands to ruh it. The mass of us, If
We would study it, would come to the
conclusion that We are not capable Of
casting an intelligent vote. The writer
feels this is his case.
We counsel no resistance. Let the
intelligent people 60 to work at this
matter, aud change will comet must
come. Our Divine Master will not let
things 60 on this way, and permit His
people aud His cause to suffer, as they
are now suffering. Let US turn and
look to Him for wisdom to direct US,
and for his Holy Spirit 10 influence US,
and all will be we'll.
Who can be surprised at reckless men
who feel their oppression, resortiug
to all sorts Of means to get clear of ii?
active, Industrious young men
try hard to make start (support) and
they cannot, on account of the oppres-
sion. They become discouraged, and
restless, and finally desperate. They
know, to come out and draw the sword
and shoulder the musket- will not do.
They look IN every direction orsigus OF
q change asd see none. Consequently,
feeling strong, they determine to take
things in their ewD'hauds, aud resort to
all sorts of meaos. Now this is all wrong.
But who can be surprised sti.? They
say the sober, intelligent people will not
do any thing, SO we will 80 ahead. So,
after all, the responsibility Of their
conduct rests upon US. Will We bear
this responsibility any Ionget7 We
hope not. We say, then, let US 90 10
work, aud expose this unprecedented
Where there is in,slligenees
human nature hates eoppsession. Ny
word for It, We will have the intelligent
e7erywheFe Nth US. Ssss Sit. boxsthe
North is coming Gu. aud throaing off
oppression on every banak; Whaf is Il,
siar, but the iuteligeDtyetatuiae 70 ars.
principltsl WHATS 1t but an effort to,
go back, both ii the Stase snd Genssai
G. G.o7eraRsnss toa iudicoas and eeous
olnicsl lsdniSistsation % that tie people