The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-12-01

| code, anu nave 1elG at liberty III mauy VI tue
cases to take the fact into consideration.
1t is my painful duty to bring to your notice
condition of affairs in certain portions of the
| State which imperatively demands your gravest
consideration. Violations of law, and outrages
upon persons and property, have been perpe-
trated by vicious and unprincipled men, with
recklessness and feroclty which, while they
have brought affection and anguish to the
bosoms Of boreaved families and friends, have
cast shadow upon the fair fame Of the Com
monwealth, mortifying and painful to all who
are jealous OF her reputation, and which, will
reQuire of you the prompt adoption OF the
most efficient measures for lts ample 'lndlca-
ton.
Hon. James Martin, q representative in the
General Assembly from the County OF Abbe-
vile, was murdered OIL the fifth day OF October
last. he was on his way homeward from the
courthouse, and was pursued by gang OF ruf-
fans, by whom he was assassinated in the pub
lie highway Mr.. Martin was an intelligent
and patriotic citizen, singularly lnoffensve in
language and demeanor, and all the circum-
stances connected with this outrage mark 1t as
O cold-blooded assassination.
bon. B. F. Randolph, a senator from orange.
burg County, was assassinated at Hodges
Station, near Cokesbury, AbbeviIle County, on
the 10th Of October. MIR. Randolph was on
his way to address meeting of HIS fellow-citl-
zens, and upon the stopping OF the train, while
on the platform OF the car, was ass lssinated by
three ruffans, who had evidently been lying IN
wait for the purpose; and Notwithstanding
there were number ofpersons present, includ-
ing those connected with the train, the assas-
sins were permitted to leiSurely mount their
horses and escape. Mr.. Randolph was man
Of enlarged views, OF great force OF character,
and exercised an extensive influence upon pub
lie sentiment. Notwithstanding that ne was
studiously courteous and liberal in his inter
Course with his fellow-men, the additional
infamy, as in the case OF MIR. Martin, was et-
tempted, by sheer fabrications and falsehoods,
to blacken his character and defame his mem
orv, as palliation, il not Justification, OF his
murder. Other instances OF violence and out
RACES of the most revolting. character in por-
tions OF Edgefeld, Abbeyille and Newberry
Counties hove been reported to this depart
ment, but prominence has been given to the
assassinations of Messrs Martin and Randolph
because Of their official position. Large re-
wards have been offered for the apprehension
of their murderers. some Of whom are known
to be refugees and outlaws from adjoining
States, who availcd themselves OF the political
excitement as cloak for their schemes OF ra-
pine and murder; but such is the
condition of society in their imme-
diate ncighborhoods that neither the
promised rewards ror the strenuous efforts OF
civil officers have accomplished their arrest.
They are fully armed and mounted, and boast
of the extent and power Of their organization.
And somewhat prominent individual, who Is
himself under heavy bonds to answer the
charge of completely in the murder OF the 10
mented Randolph, has had the hardihood to
publish an address to the Executive, threaten
ing still further outrages and additional VIC
Tins. AS a discouraging evidence OF the de-
teroration Of journalistic morals, 1t may be
mentioned that this covert threat Of assassina-
ton has been published and republlshed with
out word Of censure or dissent.
The turbulent condition of affairs in the To-
cslities to which I have called your attention
cannot and must not be longer tolerated. A
government unable to enforce its laws and pro-
tect its citize IS is q mockery and O sham,
meriting the scorn and contempt OF its oppo-
poncnts, and unworthy the confidence and sup
port OF its friends. 1t cannot administer JUS
lice through its courts, or collect its revenue
by taxation. A remedy for these evils, which
strike at The very foundation OF the State,
should be promptly applied. The law must be
made supreme. The most arrogant must be
taught to obey it's bchests; the humblest as
sured of its protection.
Tho general elections have passed, and the
political issues involved, which so fiercsly agi-
tated the country, having been determined tor
considerable period, it Is doyoutly to be
hoped that the community may be indulSed IN
much needed respite from the passions and
cxcitements to WHICH it has so long bcon sub
jected, and that our people may be enabled to
turn their attention to the development and
improvement Of their material resources,
which have been 80 sadly impaired and ne
elected. 1t gives me much pleasure to state
that assurances have been received, both pre-
vious and subsequent to tho election, from
many Of the most prominent men Of the State,
heretofore in active opposition to the govern
ment, OF their regret at the occurrence OF these
outrages, and their dotestation for their
authors, as we'll as Of their det:rmna-
ton to yield willing obedience to the con-
stitution and laws, relying u: on tho peaceful
exercise of their rights at the ballot box to
remedy whatever they may deem Objectionable
in them. This determination has exerted, and
cannot put continue to exert. favorable 1ntu-
euce upon the prosperity of the Stnte-tran-
quilzing it's people, stimulating its Industry,
and giving character and credit to its enter
prises. Recognizing with pleasure these evl-
dences Of returning good feeling, and Wishing
to recprocate every indication Of an approach
to friendly relations, I would reiterate the re-
Communications of my last Message in favor OF
liberal policy on the part Of tho Legislature
IN reference to tho removal Of political disa-
bilitios.
While upon the subject of our past differ
ences, I would take occasion to express the
hope thlt ma ional politics will occupy here
after q much less prominent position IN the
affairs of tho State and in the minds OF the
people than heretofore. Political issues hav-
ing been determined for years to come, at
least, there is but little propriety in keeping up
political agitation. And especially do regard
secret political organizations detrimental to
the community, II not entirely out Of place in
free government. With overy facility and
advantage of free discussion, carried ire
quently to tho very extreme OF license. the
shrinking from the light OF day to meet III
midnight conyentlclcs would seem discredit-
able to q people proud Of their intellectual
energy. An armed organization, styling them
selves the Ku-Klux-Klan. uniformed and
masked by their secret meetings and
midnight atrocities upon peaceable and
unoffendnS cltlzens, and obstructing the
laws, have inaueuratcd reign OF terror in
MANY neghborhoods. limitations OF the secret
societies of Europe during the middle ages,
they are without their excuse OF Justihcatlon.
In those days their power and their vengeance
we're directed against the turbulent MOBILES and
barons who defed the laws and oppressed the
peope Their object was the attainment OF
Justice. not the acquisition of political power.
Their victims were not The law-ablding and
the lowly, but the bold, bad men who trampied
on right and outraged humanity Their SYM
bols were the dagger and the cord, fit emblems
of their terrible authority and their mode OF
exercising it. But even in those days OF rapine
and murder, the responsibility Of this danger
Gus power was deemed so questionable and
hazardous as to lead to its suppression.
In the present condition OF our State, the
existence or formation OF secret political socie-
ties is greatly to be deprecated. They will be
objects of misglying and dstrust, and centres
of irritation and excitement Secresy is but
too frequently the covert for crime, and ire
sponsibiIity an incentive to it's peIpetraton.
(rooniz,t,ona will hopet counter OrraQZa-