The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1866-07-14
CHI A r l. e S TO n
SATURDAY MORNING. JULY IA. 1866.
UNDER WHICH KING, MERCUTI0?

lection against assault, robbery, burglary,
murder and arson; or are we nation of out
laws, and is it accounted q merit to slay us
Have we not Collector of Customs here, and
a Collector of Internal Revenue, both to re-
mind us that the flag with the stripes and the
thirty-six stars is waving over us? Do we
not pay the United States gold for every cup
of tea we drink, for every segar we smoke
DO we not pay our greenbaoks on every bot
tic of whiskey we drink, on every box of
matches we use? Do we not uphold the
credit of the United States Government by
receiving its "promises to pay" in lieu of the
good old-fashioned circulating medium9
Yes, surely there can be no mistake in all
this. We certainly must be within the pale
of the Union, and the American Eagle flaps
his protecting wings over our heads. Have
we not General SIcKLEs here and General
ScoTT, with armed bands to do their bidding?
Have we not United States District Court,
with Judge, Attorney, Clerk and Marshal, oil
duly appointed by the President, confirmed
by the Senate, and sworn into office, as the
law directs? Have we not United States
Circuit Court here also, with Judge WAYNE
ready to hear and try civil causes2
Yes! we have all those, but one thing we
lack: and that is peace. We are under mar
tial law, and under civil law. We have a
Mayors Court, Provost Court, O Court of
Common Pleas, and United States District
and Circuit Courts here, but we have not or.
der, protection, security of life or property.
These are still wanting.
The State Government is in full operation
also. We have the Executive, Legislature
and the Judiciary all in working order. We
pay State taxes, our offenders (white at least)
are tried by State judges; to be sure the SEN
tence cannot always be executed by the State
sheriff. But we still lack protection.
The City Government also is in full blast.
We have Mayor and eighteen Aldermen,
who are all very efficient in their respective
spheres. We have City Treasury, if we are
not mistaken, shrine to which many of our
citizens make monthly pilgrimages,- coming
away from that fame rather saddened than
We have a police, too,-a con-
stabulary force, engaged for the express pur-
pose, we believe, of preserving the peace of
the city; of affording protection to our citi-
zens, who are heavily taxed to pay their re-
Gently heightened salaries. We have guard
houses and jails. In short, we have all the
of good government, and vet,
to all intents and purposes, we are without
any municipal authority. The fault lies some
where. That these offences exist, needs no
to prove. They are rank. They
poison the very air we breathe, and loudly
'ry for change, for reform.
Are we under military rule? IF 80. what
becomes of the Presidents several peace
These have distinctly an
that the war is over, the "rebellionu
crushed; that civil law is restored. Where.
hen, is the difference, before the law and
under the Constitution, between South Caro-.
lima and New York? Can General JOE
HOOKER or General JOHN POPE arrest civil
process In the last named State, or stay the
execution of sentence, passed in full accord
ance with the laws of that State9 If not, upon
what authority can General SIcKLEs do it in
South Carolina9
Wo know the aforesaid Generals cannot,
and do not refuse to obey writ of Habeas
Corpus, issued either by State or United
States judges. We know likewise that Gene.
raj S1cKLEs refuses to recognize the civil au-
shority, either State or Federal. Upon what
IS his refusal based9
Upon the Presidents proclamation of Sep-
,ember Is, 1868. But this was abrogated bv
President JoHNsoN's proclamation of April.
1866, declaring the war at an end. Then whv
'efer to the first and ignore the last9 The
reorganization of the United
States District Courts throughout the South
confirms the opinion that the President could
nave had no mental reservation in the public
declarations which he 80 solemnly made, and
Te certainly cannot believe that Mr.. JOHN
'oN could lend himself to play part in such
! farce.
The professional soldier during war, and
or some time thereafter, is too prone to forget
lis proper status, which is that of q peace of.
loer. He is apt to consider military rule as
he normal condition of society ,and ill brooks
any interference from the civil authorities of
the land. They are viewed as troublesome
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