Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-05-13
From the Columbia Is. c.) Phoenix. ]
The Remarks of Governor Orr.

| The Remarks OIL G0VernOr OfE.
During the recent meeting of the stock
holders OF the Greenville and Columbia Rail
Road, political passage-atarus occurred
between Colonel Aiken, of Abbevilie, and
Governor Orr, which we desire to notice.
Governor Orr having speculated somewhat in
relation to the probable action of the incom-
ing Legislature upon the fortunes OF the
Greenville and Columbia Rail Road, Coonel
Aiken chose to allude in unmeasured terms
to the character and pretensions of that lcdy.
In reply, the Governor, We regret to sa,. af
ter discussing the business point avolged,
put himself forward somewhat as the defan-
der and apologist of that Legislature soon to
misrepresent this State. His language was
bold, and if our comments partake of the
same spirit, it will be acknowledged that we
have not provoked the issue. The Governor
said, in effect, that the gentleman from Alb
bevile might join il the current denunciatior
of the Radical Convention-might sneer at
the great ringet-streaked-stripe nd.speck-
led" and all Of that. But he would tell the
gentleman from Abbeville, that the Acts of
this Convention were the law of the land.
and would remain so for three, yea, perhaps
for ten year,-that the gentleman might
scorr to obey, but that the Convention had
the power, and hs and ell would have TO obey
that there were some things in that Consti.
tuition that he did not approve; but that
there were others that he did approve and
in conclusion, that it was for the gentleman
from Abbeville to consider whether his course
was calculated to remove the feteers from off
our limbs. In his opinion, opposition and de-
nunciation would serve but to rivet them the
more fmly-and hence, as we presume, his
Excellency would suggest to the gertlemah
that it becomes him and us to be as gentle is
doves and as mild as lambs.
Upon these remarks of Governor Orr, es
public journalist as a sentinel on the warc;,-
tower, humble as we may be, we intend 10
make our comments. We shall not impuro
the motives of his Excellency. We conce e
to him the same purity of motive that -.
claim for ourselves. But we do contend tbr
it i'll became the Governor of the State ton
ter the sentiments that he, with so niuci.
feeling, put forth on the occasion referred 1e5
1t i'll became him to proclaim the power oss
an illegal body and to announce the years o
its sway, and to taunt the high-mindod ger
tlemen of the State with the fact that nois5ts
rolcns, willing OF unwilling, they would have
to obey what was the law Of the land. lou
will have to pass ander the yoke, says the
Governor, and he seemed almost to exuit in
the thought At least his air, as he announced
this was proud and menacing.
Nor do we think that his Excellency should
suggest to his people that they must make
up their minds to endure their badge OF SER
yitude for three, and perhaps for ten iong
years. We would, with becoming Difference,
suggest to his Excellency tina. moment is
TOO long for us to wear the yoke that whilst
we shall have tc bear it, the spirit of opprsl-
ton should be kept up, its illegality and oa,-
rageous character constantly proclaimed ar.
the resolution repeated and repeated, thai n
all peaceful ways, in all methods, under TIE
Constitution and laws, we will oppose Il IS
Negro-Radical rule, until VIC regain the her.-
tage which is ours. Nor has the Govern
VIC submit, any right to assume that this thiI
will last three or Ten years. We hope to shal,.
it OF earlier.-at least, we intend to try, aud
.it-isaoar. .bolnden duty 70 try, and to Try pFs,
every legitimate method that God and iln.
laws permit. Nor think we that this .cour :.
serves but to rivet our fetters as his Excellsn.
cy supposes. you want a man to SHAKE
off his shackles, would you put him to sleep
with narcotic? If Samson is to husband
his strength and recover his power, woald
YOU lay his head in Delilah's Jap, and lei lin
be shorn of his locks? We reply, nc; and
we say that the policy suggested by the GCv
ernor is policy that plavs into the ha nds of
Raiicalism. and would I'D this State. hand
and foot, to the car Of that Juggernani Of ne
gro rule which is driving over the maugled
limbs of all th.t is left us Of constitu ional
liberty and of white mems rights.
1t is our dulY to say to the Governor. with
no personal i'll will whatever-butrath,r with
feelings OF genuine sadness and regre;- that
his course, in cur opinion, does not reasc the
sentiments anc opinion Of those who eie' ated
him to the Governors Chair. Wher Gen.
Canby stretched forth MS hands to scize the
public funds, tc did not, like the noble Jeu-
kius, of Georgia, Metellus like, resist it. and
protect the treasury Of the State. he has,
net, as We conceive, vindicated the high prero.
gative of his oilice-though the vindcaton
referred to, we odmit may have had moral
effect only. lie may have meant well, but
be has not always done well. His political
thoughts and views are Of the ear.h earthly
In his course as politician he will hove,
about the table lands Of expediency, willis; he
might, as the exponent Of the people, who
put him in office and gave him their conf
dence, rise to the elevated heights of princi-
pie. The Governor is our senior in our years
Of political experience, but not our superior
in devotion to State and country. We would
commend him to ascend in his political 1cte
to the mountain heights Of an elevated and
elevating line of action; and we would sug
gest that he seek to escape the noxious va
pors that spring from the weedy low lands Of
q shifting policy.
Let him return to his first love-the Dem
ocratic party. That party is purer and he;
ter than when he won lis prizes and enjoyed
its honors. Let him throw the weight OF his
great abilities and earnest nature into +,
Democratic scales of his State and couoIr
aud again will he enjoy the confidence OF 80
estranged constituency. In all that rer..,s
to Just corservatisln-in all that look, 80
the restoration of the peace and unity OF
land-wc will unite with the Governor;
we desire it distinctly understood, that
intimations Of his Excellency, as thrown
in his debate with Colonel Aiken, do aot
10 that result. On the contrary, they pc
to policy which reconciles our people
negro supremacy, and thus grolongs this AZ
astrous sway.