The Orangeburg news. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1867-1875, 1867-05-04
Our Charleston Letter.
CHARLESTON, May l, 1867.


The arbitrary character of military rule
which before had scarcely been realized, was
seen in all its responsiveness, and felt with its
crushing weight of humiliation on Saturday
last. This day was the anniversary of the
great fire in 1888, and has since been. appro-
priated by the Fire Department and celebrated
by grand parade. Accordingly, at an carly
hour, the gallant fremcn, with their engines
and hosc-reels decorated in the most splendid
manner, and their company banners spread to
the breeze, rcmde$pouscd at Citadel Green, and
formed in long column, preparatory to taking
up the line Of march through the city. just
as they were about starting, however, Mr..
Nathans, the Chief of the Fire Department..
was notified by General Cltz Post Command
ant, of an order of General Sicklcs, that tho
procession should not be permitted to move un-
less the National Colors, escorted by Il deputa-
tion from each company, were borne in the Fan,
and we're salutcd by the men as they passed in
review before the Mayor and Aldermen. '
This interference was entirely unexpected,
and as was.quite natural, the military atrta-
tnm was not altogether rclishcd. The frenlcn
had never, even before the war, carrieae s@
other than their company banners, and the ab-
scnce of the National Ensign was Indicative of
no disoyalty to the United States Governments
The procession was entirely civic, and had no
connection whatever. direct or remote with
national politics or patriotism. Supcrcrogato-
ry, however, though the order seemed, the
voice of ''thc powers that be" was obcycd-a
suitable flag, after considerable search had been
made, was obtained and carried through the
streets at the head of'thc column, and was sa-
luted a few fircmcn only did not uncover be-
fore the emblem Of the Nation her from,
accident, perhaps they had recently read the
third chapter of Daniel, and desired to emu
late the conduct of the Hebrew children under
circumstances partially analogous. Some of
these rumor says, have been arrested, and
young man, charged with having mutilatcd
large flag, which cnvclopcd the truck Of the
Hook and Ladder Company, has been sent IN
catcnis to Castle Pinckney
There has been much speculation as to the
- ~
this obnoxious cdict. So far as his personal
popularity is concerned he has certainly gained
nothing. 1t may be, however, that he has
sacrificed himself for tho good of the nation,
and desires to stimulate the reconstruction
spirit by exhibiting some of the most homcly
features of Military Rule. 1t has been stated,
however, as the most probable solution of the
matter, that he was waited upon by some of
the prominent loyalsts [so-callcd, ] and in com
pliancc with their wishes and advice took this
step.
l have mentioned in previous letters, the at
tcmpts made by the freedmen to ride in the
street cars and the continual agitation by them
Of the question Of their right so to do. There
will be no further difficulty in the matter, ms it
has been determined by the Company to grant
them the privilege. The conductors will be
instructed, in day or two, to admit to seats,
any who behave themselves, irrespective of
color.) Probably before this is read the new and
rrcstrictiyc arrangement will have gone into
operation
Quite destructive fire occurred last Sunday
morning about 2 o'clock -Four or five large
provision stores or East Bay and Ycndue
Range were consumed. Among the unfortu-
nate sufferers were Messrs. Jcffords L. Co., the
senior partner of which frm is so well and
favorably. known I'M Orangeburg ! am sorry
to report that they were only partly insured