Des Arc weekly citizen., 1868-12-08
Dur Job Printing Department.
GOVERNORS MESSAGE.

Acdce, AOOnStaDfcs, Uc.
 GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
 Fellop- Citizens ofthe Senate and House Q
 Representatives:
 1 congratulate you that you have
 escaped the dangers and perils that
 threatened you, and in despite of the
 efforts that were put forth and intended
 for your destruction, you have been
 enabled to assemble together again in legislative capacity. The fearful tragedies that have been enacted in many of your communities, the many cases of assassination that have occur red, the murder of one of your own number, and the attempts to kill others, together with the spirit of law lessness and opposition to the civil authorities that has been so generally manifested, have caused many of you great anxiety in reference to your per- sonal welfare, as we'll as the deepest solicitude for the interests of your State.
 congratulate you upon the results of the great contest which has recently been fought in our country, between Contitutional Liberty and Justice upon the one hand, and disorder, repudia- ton and misrule on the other.
 The people have again declared, in unmistakable language, that the blood and treasure which have been expen- ded in preserving this great structure of Freedom and Justice, shall not be in vain. That they intend, that for the present and all time to come, freedom of thought and speech, freedom to per form the duties and to exercise the rights of citizenship, shall be guaran- teed to every citizen. They have de- clared that the Reconstruction Acts of Congress shall not be nullity, but q fact; that hereafter the flag of the Union shall wave for the protection of loyalty, as we'll in those locations where the serpent of rebellion and treason has poisoned everything that came within the sphere ofits influence, and has still resisted every effort made for its destruction, as in the abodes of. patriotism and liberty.
 By the Constitution, the duty de- wolves upon the Executive ito give to the General Assembly information by message concerning the condition of the State, and recommend such meas nres to their consideration as he may deem cxpedient." It could not be ex- pected that an extended message would be presented at this time. can only make a brief reference to some of the most important interests of the State, and offer some suggestions for your consideration, respectfully referring you to the various reports for further 
 CONDITION OF THE STATE.
 We arc in the midst of civil commo- ton. The policy of the U. s. Govern ment in withdrawing its support and protection from us, upon our re-admis- sion into the Union, has had the effect to some extent of placing us in situa- tion of great peril and difficulty. With no greater resources or available means at our disposal than before our State was admitted (when a strong military force was deemed to be absolutely essential to preserve the Union element from those who had not forgotten their hatred to the old flag and their love for the "lost cause) we were at once compelled to depend upon our selves for protection, to battle against well nigh insurmountable in our weak condition, to carry on in the towns and villages and counties throughout the State warfare in the defense of our lives and for the cause of freedom.
 The element opposed to the Govern ment has become so much emboldened as to assume offensive operations, and to attempt the overthrow of the law ful authority in the State. A deep laid conspiracy was organized for this pur- pose, and the object was to be accom- plished, partly, by the instrumentality of reasonable organization, having its ramitications in many parts of the State, which included in its programme of operations assassinations, robberies, threats and intimidations. The fearful history of the last few months. with its dark catalogue of crimes committed. will in all probability never be entire lv disclosed. The publication ofall the atrocities and outrages perpetrated would have endangered the lives of those giving information. and would doubtless have led to the destruction of some of them. From the great mass of the accounts that have reached me, I can only briefly, on the present occa- sion, refer to a few.
 In Ashley County. the Sheriff was openly assaulted and personally abus- ed the Registrars were driven away 1: the Sheriff and Clerk were compelled to resign, and to appoint deputies to save their lives; several colored men taken out, beaten and threatened to be hung; several others missing ed to be killed; Moses Dean and his wife, found since that, hung in the woods; a freedman, hauling cotton. was shot dead in nsthe road.
 In Columbia County, the people were advised, publicly, to force the Regis trars to place their names on the regis