The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-10-28
pRocrANSrfcH.
By His Excelleucy Robert K. Scott, Gov
crnor Of South Carolina.

By His Excelleucy Robert K. Scott, Gov
crnor Of South Carolina.
Whereas, reports are being daily received
at this Department, and particularly frous
the Counties of Abbeviile, Anderson, Edgo-
field, Lexington, Newbcrry. Chester, Lau-
rens, Union, York and Darlington, tha. the
laws are being violated, and the officers Of
the law set at defiance that peaceful and
unofending citizens are murdered in cold
blood, and the murderers not only permit.
ted but aided to escape from justice; that
families have been forced to abandon their
homes and property by fear of violence {
that the authority Of the State Government
is openly derided and denied; that threats
of violence, and even Of death, are uttered
against prominent members Of the Repub-
lican party, ifthi'y siiail attempt TO visit
their districts, for the purpose of discussing
the political questions Of the day; that de-
clarations are openly made by persons cali
ing themselves Democrats, ots their deter
mination not to permit their political oppo-
nents to vote at the ensuing election; and.
to enable them to. effect their purposes, and
to overawe the people, large squantities Of
firearms, of the most improved description,
have been brought into the State and Sc.
cretly distributed that the public highways
are picketed.and patroliedby armed gmen,
who stop and iDterrogate passengers, fire.
qncntly abusing and assaalting those who
differ with them in political sopinions; and
especially is there apparent systematic eff
fort, by abuse and iutimida,ion, toasdeter
colorcd persons from tle exercise of the
elective franchise, and all this in transgres-
sion of law, in derogation of 'the'p peace and
dignity of the CommoHweaith, anasin yiols-
tion of the rights Of citizens c s'.s - 80
The right Of suffrage belongs equally TO
the wtiie and coiored race, ana all must Be
projected in its free and peaceful exercise.
Fraud and violence may syi!iaie. the returns
of any poll where they may Sc perpetrated,
and call upon all good citizens 10. aid the
officers of the law in their efforts to main.
tain the peace and preserve the ihdepen-
dence and purity Of the ballat.box.psHt. :.
The State Government, Of which ] am the
Executive head, is not only De TAcTo but
DE JURE, and commands the allegiance ioH
all within its territorial limits. II is inde.
pendent Of F. deral' legislation and Of the
Federal Judiciary, whose: powers are de-
fined by the Constitution, to be smdiciaF
and not "poiitica1" It's sovereignty and
its honor are 10 its own .keeping;: and tho
rights granted and conferred by it can ,ealy
be affected or subvcrted by'a change in tho
organic law, in obedience to the Wisllsslof
the peoplesof the State acting inrtheir lsov-
ereign capacity in Convention called for
the purpose. q Tc. resist ,4he layszof tho
State, represented by lis legally constituted
officers; IS an offence Of the gravest charsc-
ter; and armed resistance is treasenaz<sss
Now, therefore, !, ROBERT K. SCOTT,
Governor Of the State Of South caroiina,, do
herebytissue this u,r: prociarnaaous enjois-
ing and commanding all Magistrates, .Sher-
itfs, and other officers of the peaet in their.
respective Counties, to be faithful, ssigilanf,
asd active in the discharge of, theis duties,
and to report promptly to this Department.
every case where they are obstrue.cd urse
siStcd, in doing So; ami, in the event Of re-
sistance or assault, they are directed to ap-
ply to the nearest military post Of United
States troops for aid and cooperation IN, en-.
forcing the laws and ,n,aiataining the pgbiar
peace ii case of failure con the passt ef
Magistrates, Sherifs and officers Sof the
peace to perform, these duties promptly and
efficiently, citherfroin neglect or sympathy
with the wroas- doors, they wili be. prompt
ly removed and their places filed by men
loya' to the State and faithful iif@ tite dia-
charge of their Obligations TO tho. comna-
nifty.
1 And do earnestly appeal to tfle'faW-
abiding people OF the State. to- thes. who
are identified and Interested in her rpputs-
tion and prosperity, to Nh Who are opposed
to riol"nec aud b'oo.l.hed.; and to y. coasS-
ton cf riot and anarchy, in which life and
p. ope-ty are alike insecure, that thry viii
aid me in my etfarts tor maintain The saFre-
mary of the law and the rights oil the pro-
pie. hy lis,' ,'oun;rnancing all Violence and
outrage. and by assisting Nagi-trstes Exsc
peace officers in arresting the perpetrators
thereof, so that they mas be brought 70
conlign punishment. s,G&. s,E1.ssSss.ta
In the eye Of the law, the rights Of ersrY
citizen, white and colored, arr equally sa.
cred and equally enii,leito protectionses$
r:ndication and it is my du;y and .Jdcteu-
m:nation TO use all the powers 1T my dispo-
sal for that purpose. t:Aud-if my. efforts to
accomplish this by peaceable means are
frustrated, ny turbulent and iawless ,nca re-
si<ting the Executive, authority, IN the per
sons of its officers, L shall be compelled,
however reluctantly, to arm and organize
sufficient force of loyal citizens 10 overcome
that resistance; and the responsibility Of
the consequences, however dsastrous and
deplorable, mus rest upon the heads Of
those who provoke them, -, - ,..,sfe.-t..
= In testimony whereof, ] have herennto
-.- set my hand and caused the great
seal of the State to be affixed, a. Co
lumbia, this twentieth day Of 0cto-
IL. s. Der, in the year Of onrs Lord one
thousand eight hundred and sixty
:. - eight, and in the nins,y-third year Of
: tue IHdeptndeuee Of the uaited
States Of. America. = -
.| ROBERT K: SCOTT, Governor. =
F. L: CARDozo, Secretary Of State. . =:
n.. 90 "a