The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-07-22

In adopting this general line of policy,
endeavoring to carry out in good faith the
provisions of the reconstruction acts, was
satisfied that the citizen would be better
protected in person and property than if
the civil structure was overturned, and,
in lieu of it an exclusively military gov
ernment was established. l have found
the military at all times ready to CO.
operate, cheerfully and efficiently, with
the civil authority, whenever they have
been called upon SO to do; and the course
of Cancellation pursued has often enabled
me to intervene, for the benefit OF the
citizen, in whose case the rigor of military
authority might have been oppressive
By this course OF concliation, [ have been
enabled to effect notifications of military
orders that might have borne heavily
upon communities. BY this course Of
Cancellation, the taxes imposed by the
military have not only been materially
reduced, but levied upon a more equitable
and acceptable basis than heretofore. BY
this course of conciliation, | have beer
enabled to secure tie usual support for
the public institutions, and they have been
fostered and encouraged. Public improve
ments have not been arrested, but pushed
forward to state Of completion. And,
finally, harmony and peace have been pre-
served, and the great interests Of the
commonwealth been promoted, so that the
people of the State have not materially
experienced the usual Inconvenience Of
military rule. And | now repeat, what
has already been stated, namely, that the
peace of society. the liberty of the citizen,
the protection of person and property, the
usual avocations and empfoyments OF the
citizen, and the regular administration OF
Justice, have been interfered with and
obstructed as little in South Carolina as In
any other of the ten States under military
rule.
The Executive might have resigned, or
have refused to recognize the Acts of
Congress, and the military orders, and
have been removed. The Judges of the
Courts of Appeal, of the Circuit Courts,
and of the Court of Chancery, District
officers, tax collectors, magistrates, and
others, might have adopted similar policy
But what would have been the result p
Their places would have been filled by
strangers, having neither interest nor
sympathy with our population; or there
would have tecn established an absolute
military government with bayonets aud
provost courts to enforce military law, to
afford the protection demanded by the
various classes in the community. 1tmay
be, that those holding official position Iii
South Carolina. who have adopted the
course which has been pursued. have acted
unwisely; but it is doubtful whether
conscientious man can be found, within the
limits of the State, who will not admit
that, by this policy, the citizen has been
protected from the arbitrary expressions
Of the bayonet power 1t remains for the
people to say whether their executive,
judicial and ministerial officers have not;-
under all the circumstances, acted in ac-
cordance with the dictates of wisdom. and
patriotism, and pursued the only policy
which could secure the peace and prosper
ity Of the State.
Niy successor. Governor r. X. Scott,
has been lnlu@uratcd. His address and
message are before you. The principles
and purposes which lie ayows, with refer
ence to tie policy and interest OF the State,
are wise and patriotic, ard l respectfully
invite the people to give his administrator
a full and fair trial, before they determine
upon It's condemnation. However much as
nm individual, he may differ in political
opinion with the majority OF the white
citizens who represent the wealth and
intelligence of South Carolina, believeit
10 be his aim and object. as the Executive
of the State, to develop in the largest
degree her material prosperity. In this
undertaking he should receive the cooper;
alton of every class Of the community and
an encouragement which will stimulate
him to such exertions as will not only
command the praise of men, but obliterate
the memory OF the wrongs and preiudices
of the past.
\ few words personal to myself, and |
am done Twenty four years ago entered
the service of the people of South Carolina:
During this period. which has embraced
the prime of my life, | have filled, with
brief respite, many of the most honorable
and responsible positions i'll the State and
General Government. | may have COM
mitted grave errors of Judgment; but III
every sphere in which have acted, it has
been my aim to protect and promote the
interests of the people of South Carolina.
In common with all public men, my mo-
tives have been impunged and my actions
mlsrepresentcd Harsh and unjust eriti-
cisn has often followed the most earnest
efforts to accomplish good; but have
lived long enough to be rewarded by the
success of many measures and opinlons,
which have outlived the censure bestowed
upon them and their author. While some
have shown an antagonism which was
undeserved, have received sympathy and
support from many kind friends, who in
the darkest moments, have never relaxed
their confidence in the carnestness and
eIiNat ].