Year: 1859

For Ne Eastsra CLrrpn


The Court House Question.


MR. EDrroE: BY your permission would
like to say a few things TO the citizens Of
Jasper county in reference to the present
position of parties on the subject Of the
removal of the Court House.


And for a correct understanding Of the
subject. il il necessary to go back some
two years, when the Democratic party as
sembled in convention to nominate can
didate for the Legislature. All parts of 1
the county we're represented fully, and it
seems that the subject Of removal had |
been agitated in the west, and that they |
wished at that convention to nominate a |
man pledged to their peculiar views,
though that portion Of the party living in
the east were not aware Of their designs.
The convention having assembled il went |
TO work. TO all appearance, in good faith, |
10 put their best and most available man
before the people. The result was, that |
BENJAMIN Thigpen was nominated. He !
accepted, and the convention broke up |
Before the people had gotten down stairs,
there was a call for another meeting. 1t
was organi1ed-repudiated the former
nomination, and made one pledged to the
removal Of the Court House They thus
prescribed the nominee Of a convention in
which they had just participated and re-
undated their act, which was most assu-
redly binding upon them by every rule
and regulation known TO such assemblies.
At this time the great error was commit
ted by those opposed to the removal.
which has almost proven fatal. Instead
Of charging upon them that they had bro
ken faith with Us, and meeting them upon
the issue Of removal, when we had them
at such disadvantage, we ingloriously sub
mitted. pocketing the insult, and told
them latter the regular nominee declined
running) that if they would just change
the least bit in the world, that we would
join them.


No blame attaches to the nominee, as
Il was by the advice of friends as we'll as
the bitter opposition Of enemies that he
was forced from the field. But those friends
evidently committed very grave error
II is acknowledged that they thought they
were pursuing the most prudent course,
but the result has shown to the contrary.
At the time, it was feared that our Amer
lean friends would unite with the remo-
val party and elect their man in spite of
US. Was there any grounds forsuch fearsG
1t is true, that they may have made some
show Of encouraging them for the purpose
Of distracting the democratic party; but
in reality, there was no cause for alarm
In every thing affecting the vital interests
Of our country. they are as devoted to the
common right, and as strenuously oppo-
sed TO the dictation Of faction as the
democratic party themselves, and if they
had been called on to join with us in de
fence of our common rights, they would
have rallied for the rescue to man. An
other reason which had some influence in
shaping the course Of our friends, was the
impression that it would only prove a
spasmodic effort, which would show them
the weakness oftheir cause, and that there
after. all would travel together harmoni-
ously.


And another most convincing argument
used at the time, was the impolicy Of di-
viding the party. We now sec the effect
Of this temporizing with error--this time
serving policy. The sections of the party
are now alienated beyond the possibility
Of reconciliation. The result Of this in
decision Of the democratic party, and the
persevering efforts Of the removal party,
has placed US in seeming minority.


And just at this iuncture. influential
persons of both the Democratic and Amer
ioan parties present themselves in the
breach, and call upon their several parties
to drop old feuds, and form another party
for the protection Of individual rights and
the best interests Of the county.


This IS the origin Of the present anti
removal party. II is young and vigorous,
and should not be trameled with the poll
cy or contentious Of former parties. And
in this connection, we would remark, that
We fear, to the minds Of many, there was
an indecision in our action, and want of
confidence in our cause, a. manifested in
the proceedings Of last Monday, which
fail to impress the public favorably. But
we can assure them that il was for neither
Of the above named reasons that the par
~ failed 10 take definite action in bring
ing out their candidate for the next legis-
lature.


On mature reflection, they saw the inn


propriety Of forcing upon their candidate


such a long and laborious canvass as il
would necessarily be, should they max,
the nomination now. And further, al
the facts have not yet been developed o


which orr candidate should avail himself
But in the mean time. the various gentle
b men who oompo,e the committees shoul,
feel that the party have entrusted thei
= cause 10 them until the meeting in June


and therefore, should be very diligent il
/ the performance Of their duties.


| In conclusion, we would most earnest
: ly entreat epery rotcr Of the county wheth
! er living in the east or west, who has re
Z gard for individual rights and the futur
: prosperity Of our county, to come to tn
! rescue, and not indifferently stand by an
D sec an incubus fastened upon her whic
= will effectually check her growth and pro.
I perity for the next ten years. In our mex
I we will have something to say in referenc

e expected to follow this measure, both I
G individuals and to the county. II.