The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-10-28
Register Thursday.
FA k1 -->s - 49, - - -
PROCLAMATION.

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BY His ExoellencJ ROBERT X. ScOTT
GovernoroS South Carolina.
NHEREAs, reports arc being daily re
w ceived at this Department, and par
i,cn'arly from the Counties Of Abheyille,
Chester, Laurcns, Union, York and Darling
ton, that the laws are being violated, aud
mo officers OF the law act at defiance; that
pence'ul and unoffendng citizens arc muir.
dered IN cold blood, and the murderers not
only permitted but aided to escape from
Justice; TINT families have been forced to
abandon their homes and property by fear
OF violence; that The authority Of the State
Government is openly deridcd ahd denied
that threats OF violence, and even deatt,, ny G
uttered against prominent members of the
Republican party, if they shall attempt 10
visit their Districts, for tho purpose Of dis
cussing the political questions of tho dny
that declarations are openly made by por-
sons calling themselves Democrats, of their
determination not to permit their politicnl
opponents to vote nj the ensuing election
and, 10 onaLle them TO effect their purpos cs
and 10 oVerHwe the people, large quantities
OF hro arms, Of the most improved descrir-
ton, have been brought into the State and
secretly destributed that tho public hiuh.
ways arc picketed and pairolled by armed
mcn, who stop and interrogato passettgcrs,
frequently abusing and insulting those who
differ with them in politicnl opinion: and
especially is there apparent systematic ef-
fort, by abuse and intimidation, to deter col
ored persons from tho exercise Of the clccs
ru no I,ll a, . . .
of law, in deroga,ion Of the pence and dig
nifty Of the Commonwealth, and in violation
of the rights Of tho citizens,
The right Of suffrage belongs equally to
the white and colored race, and NIL must be
prot &C. cd in its free and peaceful exercise.
Fraud or violence mny vitiatc The returns of
any poll where they may be pcrpetratcI,
and ea!l upon all good citizens to MD
tho officers Of the law in their efforts TO
maintain the pence and preserve the indie
pendenoe and purity of the ballot box.
Tie Stntc Government, Of which nm The
Executive head, is not only de .Eucfo but de
Jure, and commands the allegiance Of MI
witllfn ils territorial limits. IL is indspen.
dent Of Federal legislation and of the Fedc-
raj Judiciary, whose powers nrc defined by
the Constitution, to be judicial" and moi
political" Its sovereignty and its honor
are in its own keeping; and tho rights grant.
ed and conferred by it can only he effected
or subvcried Ivy II change in the organic
law. in obedience 10 the wishes Of the eco
OF The Stnte acting in their sovereign capa-
city in Convention called for tho purpose
To resist the laws Of ihe State, represent cd
by its legally constituted officers, is nu Of
fence Of the gravcst character; and armed
resistance is treason.
Now, therefore, 7, ROBERT X. SCOTT,
Governor Of the State Of south Carolina,
DO hereby issue this my procl ,mation, GU
joining aud commanding all Magistrates,
Sheritfs, M d other officers of the peace in
their respective Counties, 10 be faithful, vi
gilnni, and active in tho discharge Of their
duties, and to report promptly to this De-
partment every case where they are Oh
structed or rcsisted'in doing so; and, in the
event Of resistance or insult they are di-
rectod to apply to he nearest military post
OF United States troops for mid and co oter-
ntion in enforcing The laws and maintaining
the public peace. In cnse of fn;lure on Tie
pnr. of Magistrates; Sleritrs ant, other off
GERS of tho peace TO perform these duties
promptly and efficiently, either from ncglec,
or sympaty with the wrong -doers, they will
be promptly removed and their PLACES il.d
by men loyal to the State and faithful in She
discharge Of ,heif obligations to the com.
muniiy.
And I do earnestly appeal 10 tie law-abia.
ing people Of The State, to those who nre
sdeHtited and interested in her reputation
and prosperity, 10 all who are Opposed 10
violence and bloodshcd, and TO condition
Of riot and anarchy, in which life md pro
porty arc alike insecure, that they will aid
me In my efforts to maintain the supremacy
Of the law end the rights of tho people, by
d'soountenancing and denounoing all vic.
lence and outrage, and by assisting the Ma.
gistrates and peace officers IN arrcsting the
perpetrators thereof, so that they fnsy Be
brought 10 condign punishment.
In the eye of the law, the rights of every
cill1en, white and oolored, are equally sas
cred and equally entitled TO protection and
vindication; and II Is ny duty and detcrmi
nation 10 ave oil tho powers at my disposal
for that p1fpos6. And il my efforts to ac
complish this by poaceabe means are frus.
trased, by turbulent and lawless mefr resist.
ing the Executive authority. in tho persons
OF its officers, shnll be compelled howey.
or seinetantly. to arm nfid organize snffi
cient force of loyal citizens 10 overcome Tint
resistance: ard the responsibility Of tho con.
sequences, however disastrous and deplora.
Bile, must rest upon the heads of those who
provoke them.
In testimony whereof, / have heraan;o
SCI my hand and caused the great senl
OF the State to be affixed, at Columbia
this twentieth day Of October, in the
year Of eur Lord one thoaaand eight
hundred and sixty eight, and in Inc
nineiy.third year Of the independence
t: Of the United States of America. s,s..f
ROBERT X. SCOTT. Governor.
/: CARpozo, Secretary of State.
DOT 27-x1 ta
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