The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-05-03
WHEAT Is OUR DUTY 7


The citizens of Anderson District, beyond per-
adventure, have had more to encounter during the
past twelve months than those of any other Dis
trict in the upper part of the State, and during
that eventful period they have acquired reputa-
tionfo disloyalty and reprehensible action which
is far from being justified by the facts and circum-
stances We make this declaration calmly, and
with full knowledge of all the statements which
have been brought to bear on public and official
opinion elsewhere to fix the stigma upon us. 1t
is unnecessary for our present purpose, to recount
either the evils under which we have existed or
the array of evidence produced to af6x the con-
clusion that we are set of cormorants and man
eaters, reveling in blood and delghtng in heinous
crimes We have taken up the pen to impress our
fellow-ctizens with the glaring and disreputabe
character we have abroad and to point out acourse
of action which WILL in the progress of time, nail
this enormous falsity to the counter.
Anderson District, and some of her inhabitants,
we undertake to-say, have been discussed oftener
in oficia. and private circles throughout this and
adjoining States than any other of The South
The majority of our citizens are unaware of the
pretending locality, and are totally ignorant of the
causes which have produced this extraordinary
commotion. Neither will they ever know fully
the manner in which this opinion has been manu-
factured, nor be apprized of the particular occur
rcnces upon which such opinion is predicated-
The atrocous murder at Browns Ferry was sim
gle fatal instance, in which six or eight men were
engaged; but this was perpetrated; as we firmly
believe, by strangers in tbs section, and should
not have ents;ied suffering upon an entire COM
imunity, even though this belief is erroneous
Outrages of lesser magnitude were not more fire.
ouent than in other localities, and it was hardly
expected by sensible people that the country
could emerge from state of civil war, n'inus the
attendant evils Of bad passions fully aroused and
desperate men intent on mischief Especially was
such to be expected in this instance when the ar
dent hopes and dearest plans of men were dashed
to the ground so rudely. But such things had
their brief career and were it not for the constant
oppression and vigorous prosecution of offences
committed while the country was in transition
state, the disloyalty and disrepute of Anderson
would long since have been consigned to oblivion
and with fairer name and brighter crest, the
good old District would have pursued the rugged
path to peace and prosperity. Yet we are panied
to admit, her escutcheon is tarnished by evil re-
ports and her good name maligned in every quar-
Ter. This devolves high and solemn duties upon
each and every one Of her sons and daughters, in
order that the foul aspcrsion may be refuted and
tbese SANDERS forever sileneed.
Individual conduct must be, in the first instance,
made to conform strictly to our fallen and helpless
condition. Many, we are fully aware, have not
vet realized that the South was subdued by the
sword and that she is now under military rule
The exercise of that authority, arbitrary and uu-
compromising must be submitted to, not abjectly
and with the subserviency of the spaniel, but in
manner becoming manhood deprived of power
Unnecessary criticisms of government officials are
not proper, and it will neither bring redress nor
weaken authority. In dealing with freedmen,
6rmpess tempered By kindness and due allowance
for their ignorance should characterize the con-
duct of every one. Let them know and be made
to feel that their best friends now or hereafter,
are the former masters and employers, and that
insure lasting friendship between the races. Teach
them the right and to forsake the wrong. In n
word, deal honestly and candidy with the fact
that they are no longer slaves, and are entitled to
the consideration of freedmen occupying inferior
caste in society and above ALL repress any feel
ing of resentment toward these unfortunate beings
because fanaticism has endowed them with greater
blessings than they are competent TO enjoy. All
these things are our people to ponder over anew,
that they may be relieved of the odium which now
attaches to the inhabitants of the District.
Finally, let us counsel together There is nc
more fitting occasion than next Monday to hold
public meeting and openly declare the sentiment
of Anderson towards the United States Govern
ment If it be disloyal, make it known If these
accusations be truly founded, then let us fall under
the ban of dispcasure and receive our punishment
accordingly. But generous and noble yeomanry,
having never yet failed in the path of duty, can
send forth to the world q proud defiance in their
honest manly sentiments; and declare that, hav.
ing acquiesced in the results of the war, they viii
abide by their plighed faith, and stand ready te
vindicate that pledge on any and every occasion
We make the suggestion, therefore, that on Mon
day next the citizens of this District assemble il
the Court House, and adopt such resolutions al
will convince the doubling and uniformed that w
have been misrepresented. The people owe thil
much TO themselves, and we trust they will &C
promptly and harmoniously.
MAY-DAY FESTIVITIES.
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