The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-10-23
EXPERIMENTATION.

s;ss e.
By His Ercellencs ROBERT x. SCOTT,
Goue1nor Of South Carolina,
w aa;KaAs, ce;Sdd reports are being daily re;
particularly from the Counties of Abbe-
vile, Anderson, Edgefield, Lexington,
Newberry, Chester, Laurens, Union, York
and Darlington, that the laws are being
violated, and the officers of the law set at
defiance; that peaceful and unoffending
citizens are murdered in cold blood, and
the murderers not only permitted but aid
ed to escape from justice; that families
have been forced to abandon their homes
and property by fear OF violence; that the
authority of tho State Government is
openly dcridcd and denied; that threats of
violence, and even of death, are uttered
against prominent members of the Re-
publican party, if they shall attempt to
visit their Districts, for the purpose of dis
cussng the political questions of the day;
that declarations are openly made by per
sons calling themselves Democrats, of
their determination not to permit their
political opponents to vote at the ensuing
election; and, to enable them to effect
their purposes, and to overawe the people,
large quantities of firearms, of the most
improved description, have been brought
into the State and secretly distributed; {;
sh"' 'no ,Puoiic highways are plcketeu
and patrolled by armed men, who stop and
lnterroSate passengers, frequently abusing
and assaulting those who differ with them
In political opinion; and especially is there
apparent systematic effort, by abuse and
intimidation, to deter colored persons
from the exercise of the elective franchise,
and all this In transgression of lnw in de-
rogaton of the peace and dignity of tho
Commonwealth, and in violation of the
rights of the citizens.
The right of suffrage belongs equally to
the white and cOlored race, and all must
be protected in its free and peaceful excr-
cisc. Fraud or violence may vitiate the
returns of any poll where they may be
perpetrated, and l call upon all good citi-
zens to aid the officers of the law in their
efforts to maintain the peace and preserve
the independence and purity of the ballot
box
The State Government, of which I am
the Executive head, is not only de .fdcto
but de Jure, and commands the allegiance
OF all within its territorial limits. 1t is
independent of Federal legislation and of
the Federal Judiciary, whose powers are
defined by the Constitution, to be '.judiciar'
and not political" Its sovereignty and
its honor are in it's own keeping; and the
rights granted and conferred by it can
only be affected or subvertcd by change
in the organic law, in obedience to the
wishes of the people of the State acting in
their sovereign capacity in a Convention
called for the purpose. To resist the laws
OF the State, represented by its legally
constituted officers, is an offence OF the
gravest character; and armed resistance
is treason.
Now, therefore, +, ROBERT X. SCOTT,
Governor of the State of South Carolina,
do hereby issue this my proclamation, en-
joining and commanding all Magistrates.
Sheriffs, and other officers of the peace in
their respective Counties, to be faithful,
vigilant, and active in the discharge of
their duties, and to report promptly to
this Department every case where they are
0bstructed or resisted in doing so; and,
i'll the event OF resistance or assault, they
are directed to apply to the nearest militia
ry post of United States troops for aid and
cooperation in enforcing the laws and
maintaining the public peace. In case Of
failure on the part of Magistrates, She
riffs and officers of the peace to perform
these duties promptly and efficiently,
either from neglect or sympathy with the
wrong-doers, they will be promptly re-
moved and their places filled by men loyal
to tho State and faithful in the discharge
of their obligations to the community.
And L do earnestly appeal to the law
abiding people of .he State, to those who
are identified and interested in her repu-
posed to violence and bloodshed, and to a
condition OF riot and anarchy, in which
life and property are alike insecure, that
they will aid me in my efforts to maintain
the supremacy Of the law and the rights
! OF the people, by discountenancing and de-
nouncing all violence and outrage, and by
assisting the Magistrates and peace
officers in arresting the perpetrators there
OF, 80 that they may be brought to con-
dign punishment.
In the eye OF the law, the rights of every
citizen, white and colored, are equally
sacred and equally entitled to protection
and vindication; and it is my duty and de-
termination to uso all the powers at my
disposal for that purpose. And if my
| efforts to accomplish this by peaccable
means are frustrated, by turbulent and
lawless men resisting the Executive au-
thority, in the persons Of its officers, 1
| shall be compelled, however reluctantly, to
arm and organize sufficient force of loyal
citizens to overcome that resistance; and
the responsibility of the consequences,
however disastrous and deplorable, must
rest upon the heads OF those who provoke
them.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto
set my hand and caused the great
seal of the State to be affixed, at
Columbia, this twentieth day of
October, in the year OF our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and sixty
eight, and in the ninety-third year OF
the independence of the United States
Of America.
ROBERT X. SCOTT, Governor.
+. l.: CARDozo, Secretary of State.
Oct Il ws2