The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-01-21
ountains. We wish no .sfrontier lifen


been quiet people, and choose to be so
still. But I cannot believe that there is
one rejecting man in this District who, in
his heart, nurtures i'll feelings towards the
weak and dependent people around us, or
who will so disgrace his State and name
by deliberately breaking the peace. Each
one must recognize the change which has
taken place, and true to his duty and his
pledge, submit. And can any one hesitate
with such examples before rs? Do we not
see the glittering and victorious sword of
this gallant officer returned to its scab-
bard? His proud spirit now 80 nobly con-
trolled, and his cry OF defiance 80 changed
for counsels of peace and quiet; and yet
ourselves refuse to submit? And this re-
turned armies of heroes, now around me,
SCARED with many wound, have they not
been forced to leave the field where the
deeds of valor have shed renown upon
their generation? Have they not yielded,
and, like true soldiers, seek only to do
their duty? Does any one hesitate to be
guided by them? or has the example Of all
those noble youths who gave their lives Il
the war been forgotten? And does not n
many soldiers grave, reminding us that
they died doing their duty? Is this voice
to be unheeded? cannot believe it.
Our duty is plain. All lies before us, and
with kind Providence to crown our labors,
we shall again be blessed with peace and
plenty.
To Our SERVANTS: You can have no
stronger proof Of our interest in your well
fare than your being allowed to be present
to-day, at public meeting Of the citizens
of this District, who have assembled to
have explained to them the meaning and
intention of q company which has been
formed in this neighborhood, and of which,
as you have heard, I have been elected
Captain, and other gentlemen, whom you
have known all your lives, the officers; in
deed, the whole company is composed of
men who are familiar to you.
We have been given authority by the
Government to act as a kind Of police to
restrain all bad white men and black fir om
doing anything to break the peace. Our
duties are plain, and cannot be misunder-
stood, when once explained.
We have been selected, and have been
entrusted with these heavy responsibilities,
because the Government has full confidence
in us, and we expect the same from you.
We are to act simply as protectors, and
you, who have known us all your lives,
cannot believe we intend you, or any one,
any harm. We have no liberty to do SO,
and more than that, we have not the wish
We regard you as our friends. We are
aware how little you know of the world
how much you have always depended upon
our protection, and how much you will find
it to your good to be guided by our teach
ings and advice, and to look up to us again,
and to trust us.
Your whole conduct during the war has
been so good we can never forget it. You
have heard me say this plainly, few mo-
ments ago, and we intend to show it to
you, and to the whole world.
We shall soon be left here again by our
selves, and we must try to please each
other; Our gain is your gain, and our loss
your loss. 1t will be a great pity if we
should quarrel and separate. To us it
would be loss, but to you it would be ruin.
You have heard me say how much we
should lose by getting other men to work
for us, but have only spoken of ourselves
in such case. But l am sure, and so is
every gentleman here, and the whole world,
that for you to be left to yourselves would
be your total ruin.
This we must do everything to prevent,
and we know how to make you content to
stay with us, and to be as faithful and in
dustrious as before. Andkw hope soon to
see the same happy race, Mho can, by their
labor, %Eipg back the- lost wealth of our
country and enjoy FULL share Of it them
selves.
We have promised Smost solemnly to be
just to you, and we intend to perform that
duty faithfully. We also owe you our pro-
lection, and know how to give that, not
only to those who will work for us, but for
all, both old and young, sick and feeble.
We see your dangers much better than you
do and We will save you from many of
them.
We desire your improvement, and will
therefore pay liberal wages, and give you
all facilities for education, which is now
necessary to you, and we will crafty all
your reasonable wants.
We know you, and can do more for you
than any strangers who will ever come
here. You can, by your labor, afford to
make yourselves more comfortable than
any people in your position in the world.
We must move slowly at first, but it will
end well, if we will only commence. But,
to make money, as is done all over the
world, and as we always have done here
before, you must be again Industrious,
and there must be peace and quiet in the
country. The industry will have to come
from you, and we shall watch for the quiet.
You have nothing to fearfrom us as having
the power to punish you. The Courts of
law will attend to that, and we hope yon
Will lind us of service to you when required.
Come to us again as your best friends,
and depend upon our protection. We owe
1T to you, and you shall always receive it,
We own all the good lands here, but can
upon 1t, on the condition Of your working
Tor us Don't turn your back upon us.
We offer to employ you, and we warn you
solemnly against idlcness and lawlessncss.
1t Will only bring trouble upon you and
your families. Remember who we are,
and that we hold you in the palm of our
hands.
MhRNHkIT U0T1QN