Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1865-06-06
To the People of South Carolina.
IT, i,f,,.rryC Dcp,prNpNT
CULCMBIA, May y, I

Orde: issued by MaJ0r.General Y. ~. Gilmore.
[ deem it proper, without delay, to present
to your information, such portions thereof as
affect me: and concern you; :, because they,
create for you conflict with the forces OF
the United States, which can only be avoided
by nv forbearance to exercise the functions
OF the Executive Department of the State:
IIsapoUARTERs, DEFART1r OF THE SeuTE, II.
H1Lros HEAD, S. C., May Is, 1862: ),
General Orders
No. 63. =, -
T. The proclamation of A. G. Magrath, sty-
ling. himself Governor of South Carolina,
dated Headquarters, Columbia, S. G., May
%, 1865. declaring that all subsistence stores
and property of the Confederate States Titnln
the limits Of the State should be turned over
and accounted for by the agents OF the otate
appointed for that purpose, and directing that
the subsistence and other stores shall be used
for the rslief of the people. of the State and
the proclamation of Joseph E. Brown, styling
himself Governor of Georgia, dated at the
Capitol of the State, on the 3rd OF May, 1860,
recurring the officers and members OF the
General Assembly to meet in extraordinary
session at the Capitol in Milledgeviie, on
Monday the Goth of May, 1865; and the
proclamation of a. X. Allison, styling him
self Acting Governor of Florida, dated al
Tallahassee on the 9Th day of April, 1865,
giving notice and direction that an election
will be held on Wednesday, the Ith day OF
June, 1865, for Governor of the State OF
Florida; are each and all Of them declared
null and void, it having become known to me-
from trustworthy information, that the atore-
said A. G.. Magrath, j. f. Brown, and a. X.
Allison, are disloyal to the United States,
having committed suudry aud divers acts Of
treason against the same, in adnerlng to their
enemies and giving them aid and comfort. =.
The persons and people to whom the proc
Iamations herenabove referred to have been
respectively addressed, are tEerefore enjolned
and commanded to give no heed whatever
thereto, or to any orders, procamations, com
missions, or commands, ,manatiEg from per-
sons claiming the right to exercise the func-
tions and authority of Governor in either OF
the States of South Caroliaa, Georgia or
Florida. unless the same shall have been pro-
mnlgated by the advice Or consent ol the
United States authorities.
TT ::
III. District and Provost Commanders
throughout this department will ct once cause
this order to be circulated far and wide, BY
special couriers or otherwise, and will take
such steps to secure it's enforcement as Ihass
by then be deemed necessary.
y ''~ Q. A. GILMoRE, :. :
Major General Commanding.
Official: G. F. MCKAY, lst Lieut.. and A.
A. a. General.
I cannot under all the circumstances which
surround YOU, expose yeu to the consequences
which will be produced because of any effort
on INV part-fruitless, il not mischievous, as
it must be-to exercise those functions which
YOU in vour confidence have committed to
me. Nor am willing that, without such
consequences to you, while in the Executive
Chair OF the State, shall be held forth to
the world charged with crime; without the
most positive declaration, that am ready to
meet and repel it, wherever and by whonse'-
sver made.
In that peculiar condition Of our affairs,
which is now disclosed to you, feel that my
duty, whether considered in regard to myself
as ynur Executive, or to you as people
whose welfare is dear 10 me, is at once plain
and imperative. will not introduce within
this State discord or contention. | will not
allow myself to furnish the occasion by which
sinsc atom of suffering can be added TO
that load which now weighs so heavily upon
you. l will not give opportunity Tor conflict
between tue Go4ccument o! this State and
the Government OF the United States. The.
functions, therefore, of the Executive are sus-
pended by me from this day.
Under other circumstances and at other
times would pause in doing that which
now dc WITHOUT hesitation; and witL per-
feet. conviction that it is due to you that it
should be done. The exercise Of the exccn
tive power in the proclamation Of the ID
day Of May, 1885,. which was compliance
Of. has been reciiGed end the proclamation
recaled Before my letter was received
continuing the explanation of the circum-
stances which led to The proclamation,
these orders hlvc been issued /; in Which, be-
cause of g Trustworthy information Of dis
LOYALTY" and .sundry and divers acts of trea
con. the functions Of the Governor t the
Stale are suspended and his authority tenied
To exercise nv functions in the face of these
orders, is 70 invoke. force, to sustain me in op.
position to taat which will be displayed
against me. Such contest could haze but
one result. While tc those in the State who
would give their support to the Executive,
there must come penalties and suffering, with
out the possibility OF advantage. =
Whatever, therefore, may be the feeling
which belong gs to me as man Or citizen,
in case like this; where conviction precedes
the hearing, and sentence comes before the
trial feel that it becomes Lee to be mind
full OF the considerations which involve your
peace and affect your welfare. 1 have said to
you before, / say to you now, the war is over !;
hostilities hEve ceased, and it is your duty to
forbear opposition which is hopeless--ccn-
| lest which is unavailins-and reconcile TO
yourselves that submission which the Gov
ernment Of the United States can impose
and you cannot reaist.
While the considerations which | have now
expressed lead me to this forbearance in the
exercis. of the functions of the Executive
Department of the State, owe it to myself,
to you, to the State, the Legislature Of which
according to the Constitution CT this State,
elected me the Governor Of the State, to make
INV protest against the power claimed and cX-