The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1867-03-13
!" ONCE MORE no THE BREEcH o


pressing no desire to take the lead in this momen-
tous crisis in our history as State and would in
fnitely prefer that the masses might guide the
helm in this extremity, nevertheless there ere
duties imposed by our position as publac journ-
alist from which We have never yet shrauk Tor
single moment. One Of those duties-important
and elevated in its character, and which must be
performed ut all events, is the proper enlightenment
Of such as look to this paper for information on The
political topics of the day. We have endeavoFed
10 discharge this duty faithfully and impartially,
md shall continue 10 exercise whatever intelligence
and ability we may profess to further the end pro-
posed And in temporarily excluding from these
columns any advice to the people calculated to af
feet their action on public questions, We did not
intend to surrender the inalenablc right and pri-
vilege of entertaining decided opinion on these
questions. But friends have misconstrued our
motives and declarations, and rather than bear the
semblance of moral cowardicc in this or any other
extremity, We willingly resume the discussion OF
themes calculated to affect the destiny of this
country now and hereafter albeit the theme itself
is distasteful and against our inclinations.
Therefore, it becomes our duty on this occasion
to afford others the benefit of such reflections and
thoughts as may occur to our mind upon The para
mount question now before them. Their decision
Is cslled for by the recent aetion Of Congress The
Inauguration Of military rule will soon be upon
them, and whether or not they will actively, cher
getically pursue the right, leaving the oonsequen-
ces to higher power than any upon earth, remains
to be developed 1t is unnecessary to declare that
we have strenuously opposed any sycophantic sur
render of the rights guaranteed by the Federal
compact That instrument is not now the law of
the land the will of fanatical Congress has se-
perceded it but the. day may yet come when its
provisions shall shine forth in all their pristine
purity and glory.
Believing thus, it would be recrecant in the
highest degree TO favor policy lookingto an aban-
donment of these cherished principles for the sake
of temporary else OF advantage. If the guarantees
and limitations imposed by the Constitution are
ever to affect the legislative branch of the govern
ment again, then is utter folly for people who
have endured SO much for principle TO seize upon
on evil moment to succumb beneath the aggregated
weight of mere physical power. We can remain
quiet and obedient to authority even unlawfully
set over u.s. We can endure much more in the
cause of enlightened liberty The madness Of the
hour may demand concession, but frmness and
steady adherence to principle will ultimately tri-
umph.
But the practical issue has been made in this
State, looking towards an early convention OF the
people to accede 10 the provisions imposed by
the SHERMAN bill. We are utterly opposed to the
movement, and shall briefly assign our reasons.
The present State Government is declared illegal
by this act nnd it is in direct conflict with this
proposition for the executive legislative or Judicial
| authority of the State to attempt an execution of
its powers. The Governor may be importuned to
call the Legislature, and that body likewise besct
to order an election for members of the convention.
But, under this bill, neither have the power thus
to act. Admitting, however, that the authority is
conferred any such action forever destroys the e-
gal remedy to contest the constituionality Of the
measure In our opinion, 80 far as the powers
delegated 81 this bill are concerned, there is only
one person authorized to order ths convention--
That individual is the Brigadier General who pre-
sides over the newly constituted Military District
When his mandate is issued the people are COM
PEELED to obey, by mere force of the bayonet No
alternative is left them, as conquered people,
Bat even then the right to test the measure in the
Supreme Court is not taken away from them, and
when the hour for calm reflection arrives, this peo
pie will stand forth, unsullied in honor and unue
filed in principle.
These views arc hastily thrown together, and
we propose to resume their consideration another
time. In the meanwhile, We earnestly cxhort the
people to patient endurance and manly frmncss.
The insolcnt terms proposed by our would-be mas
ters infict no degradation upon the South, and to-
day her crest is high above the Vaccinations Of
these valiant conquerors. History illrcpeat her
story and perpctuate her virtues, unless she is led
astray by false lights and sinks beneath the waves
Of self-imposed infamy. The Norman conquest of
the Saxons afford IN example at this time. The
conqucror dictated terms, but it is not recorded
that the brave Sa1ons yielded to or accepted those
terms That gallant people were saved from such re-
proach and history records the unjust exactions and
oppression of their Norman masters In the Ian
guagc Ct cotcmpofary, let the people Of the South
profit by this heroic example! Let them submit
patiently. manfully hcroically, to the terms i'm
posed upon them Resistance would be worse
than folly; it would be madness, not e1oelled by
by that feeling which actuates the dominant party
in their unholy purpose Of crushing the South be-
meath the iron heel of oppression.
Editorial Pennings and Clippings.