Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1884-02-28
ge1istellaueuns Readimg.
PRIMARY ELECTION FOR CONGRSSSMEN.
from the Carolina Spartan.

SpARTANBURG, S. c., Feb. 18th, 1854.
Editor of Spartan This communication
is intended only to elicit discussion of This
subject in order to the expression and cam
vassing of public sentiment in regard to it !;
this being scarcely more than suggestion,
inviting consideration. In the outset it
may be well, though unnecessary, to state
that this movement is not the outgroWth OF
any dissatisfaction with the nominees OF our
Congressional Conventions. No reflection
is made upon the past, but we say that De-
mocracy, expediency and individual right
demand a change. .
We now have our county Primaries,
which have succeeded and we think perlna-
nently, the quondam county Conventions:
Is it not just as proper that Congressional
Conventions be also relegated to the past: :
The same abstract reasoning applies to both.
We could predicate our position upon the
preference of the Primary by the people as
conclusively proven by its adoption. Or
we could take the high and commanding po-
sition, that we are sustained by the primi-
tive principles of our Republic-the Dem
ocratic party of that Republic-and demand,
as the prime essence of all political liberty,
that every one of that party should have the
individual and inviolable right of deciding
for himself and declaring for himself by
ballot which of his fellow citizens shall
represent him politically. We would de-
mand that the same rights which are guar
anteed him as citizen by the Constitution,
be allowed him as a member OF the party.
The theory is that the ballot-boX decides
who shall be the Congressman, that the voice
of the greater number speaks for the whole
District. Undoubtedly a good theory, the
only fair one, and at the election in Novem-
ber, he who receives the greatest number of
ballots is declared elected But as every
one knows, this election is always fore
gone conclusion, as the Democratic nominee
is sure of his election. True, every one has
the right to vote at the election, but If he is a
good Democrat, he has to vote for the nom
inee of the Convention, whether he wishes
it or not. This right to vote at the election
is hollow mOckery, 50 far as his right to Sc
lect is concerned. The Convention is the
Congressional Incubator. Some 24 men
and tell them he is the Congressman they
have to vote for! What Convention can
say that its selection is the choice of a ma
jority of the people?
We are all familiar with the theory which
justifes this proceeding, to wit: that every
Democratic voter in the District, votes
through these "a members of the Convention.
Now, this is nothing but theory a Vapid,
ethereal, unsubstantial eidolon, a meaning
less nOthingneSS, empty VerDlage, ucKllng
the ears of the people with its speciousness.
1t is bald, unmistakable fact, that these "A
men elect the Congressman, and they alone.
1t is next to an impossibility for a delegate
to have correct idea of the preference of
the majority Of the voters of his county.
But even if he has are men who have act
ed as members of Conventions, or have seen
their operation, to be made believe that he
will cast his vote in accordance with what
he may consider their preference, and not
according to his own Judgment? Ii is
against human nature, and the delegate is
none the less human because delegate.
Even in the most conscientious discharge of
his duties, he must be unconsciously SWayed
by his preudices; the average delegate feel
ing, besides, that he has the right to assert
his individuality in his vote This theory
is very pretty one-and is very effective; :;
by it the people virtually dsfranchise them
selves. We say that this system should be
supplanted by the Primary if practicable.
We fail to recognize any material obstacle
in the way of the execution of the idea
Simply County Primaries on larger scale, or
rather an aggregate of them could be held
cotemporaneously with them, without caus-
ing greater complication than is now atten-
dant upon nominations by the present sys-
tenn. The general management of the Prl-
mary, whether upon the majority or plu-
rality plan, would be matter Of detail only,
and not an obstacle to its institution.
ST,NyARNE WILSON,