The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1871-08-03
Cumulative vOting---A Substitute
Proposed.

Cum ulative VOting---A SUBSTITUTE
Proposed.
The great respect Vie entertain Tor the
genthmey- cohprsing5he FAX Payera''C Con-
ycntiun, has induced us to consider the sub
jscsnf nf=ramuia voting as cure for our
political grievances, but we are compelled
to admit that we cannot see it in that light:
If there were'in the; State, many, shades of
spHienasid varieties # interests, separating
the people into several parties, representa-
isn1of each corresponding to their respect
i've numerical strength, might accomplish
soodresuits'to minorities, if a combination
of two or more of those parties, not the strong
ateywbuld overcome The strongest; but here,
where there are, and can be at present, but
tsnpartiss, one of which outnumbers the
other as three to two at least, an agreement
o.sshb BART of.tbs Ha,ilacrity: to be content
with only a proportional Representation, is
nefaing more orEiess shah surrender to the
maj'r'Y. -.
fSyescanfessowe are not willing, being of
the minority,'to to give up the struggle. We
dssife to Overcome the majority, and when
wSfaet: theocOntfoliotf + the State We viii be
prepared to entertain propositions from the
ot6sreaie B5EnlyH to the permanencyrof. the
tHsRd eS&fisthiihEg III thiEgS condition of things. live
are to form any alliances with those shrewd
gentlemen, yhho have heretofore manipulated
the Radical party in this State, let US at least
lie able to comprehend the solid advantages
which we are, to derive from such alliances,
and not be misled by myth Ieta the ad-
vocates Of, tbs measure show'us how we'are
to. gain anythingrin the Senate by the cumlu. l
lative vote, and how in the election Of Gov
erper and all other Executive officers. r..
Hhetruth is, except. that we might gel,
such minority vote in the House OF Repre-
septatiyes as would prevent the passage OF
measures requiring a two-thirds vote, we
cansee no practical advantage in their re-
suits. But it is not at all certain that the
same result could not be attained by fair
and sqnare.party vote. Indeed, We have no
sort " d65dbt Of it. But, We wish to go into
the next State canvas to win the fight for the
supremacy of honesty, decency, fair deal
ing, retrenchment and reform. How is that
to B" done? We admit it depends upon the
colored people. They alone can change the
goyeTfnment of this State for the better
through the ballot box, They have expert
enced some Of the evils of attempting to rule
the State without considering the interests
or heediug the counsels OF those who really
constitute the most important part of society.
Perhaps they may be now inclined to hear
those arguments which they spurned last year.
If sasswe would gladly aid them in establish,
ing Better government. But, any move
ment of this sort must come from them. Our
peoslsswill probably never again be induced
to g 70 them with oyertures like those: re-,
jectsd last year. AS good government. how
ever, is our prime necessity, we doubt not
the acceptance Of any proposals coming from
the ether SIDE giving promise of success, i
and uporR principles by which We can stand.
rs 10 these, there can be but little trouble,
since it is apparent that the National Demo
cracg will erect a platform on those questions
broadienougk for all reasonable men to stand
upon! Still We do not see, as yet, any signs
of that awakening Of the colorcd people to
the necessity of Cancellation which must
fornfthe basis Of any combination between us.
We g not greatly hope to accomplish avicto-
ry without suchoombination, but ar willing,
and prefer, to fight square out and out De-
mocratic party fight, to allowing the Radicals
to walk into power without trouble. There
is something healthy in struggle 70. the
righsseVeh when we are beaten and, on the
other hand, supine submission to wrong is
enersating ; and 'cOrrupting. We believe
there should now be an organization of the
Democratic party, complete and thorough.
We are willing to shape our policy to the views
of a Convention of that party, properly
organized: If that party should determine to
make any compromises with the colored people
from motives Of State polity, We desire to
submit an alternative basis of combination
to that of the cumulative vote, which contents
itself with simple proportional numerical
representation, and leaves no room for ex-
pansion. Of the party or the exercise of those
mowers which are ths fruits; Of intelligence,
education, knowledge, experienceand wealth.
This substitute we will announce hereaf-
ter. ,.s5.s.- -. .'-.+