The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-12-09
LETTER FROM COLUMBIA.
IL THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
COLUMBIA, S. C., Dec. s, 1868.

COLUMBIA, S. c., Dec. s, 1868. +
.Drar SIR: On Tuesday, 10Th instant, the Spc-
cal Committee, TO whom was rcfcrrchthe preamble
and resolutions relative TO the murder Of James
Martin and B. T. Randolph, reported fayorably
upon the preamble and resolutions introduced by
Mr. Tomlinson on Friday last, with slight altera-
lions Speeches were made by Tomnson, Whip
per, Ransicr, Bozcman, Elliot and DeLarge, oil of
whom, except DcLargc. charged the leaders of the
Democratic party, indirectly, as the cause of the
murders. When the vote was taken upon an
amendment 10 the preamble and resolutions offer
ed by Elliott, Mr.. J. B. Moore asked leave 10 e1
plain his VOTE which request was granted. Mr..
Moore said:
Mr. Speaker I regret that the preamble and
resolutions, on this solemn occasion, arc not such
as 10 enable each and every member of this House
to give them their hearty support. But, sir, they
charge me with the murder of Martin and Ran
dolph, and they likewise charge the Democratic
party of the State, 10 which belong, with the
same, sither directly or indircctly-by striking
the fatal blow in person, by counseing the same
to be done, or by giving aid and comfort TO the
hellion who perpetratcd the crime, which is the
highest known to the luns OF God or man. They
charge me, and the Democratic members here, and
the Democratic party of the State, with killing in
person. or as being accessory to the before or
after the fact, Which is unfounded and untrue !;
and cannot silently permit such grave charge
to be placed upon and the honorable party to
which belong, without entering my solemn pro-
test AZ ain.t it, Sir, hurl back the charge with
scorn and contempt upon any man, or SET OF men,
either in this Legislature or elsewhere, who dare
to charge me, either directly or indirectly, with
murder. My heart revolts at such charge. Sir,
no man condemns more than l, him or them who
would disarm the law and take it into his OF their
own hands, nor would any one go farther to bring
them to justice. But, sir, in the face of such
charges as nre contained in The preamble and res
olutions, against myself and the party to which
belong, vote no.
Mr. C. C. Turner, of Spnrtanburg, asked leave
10 explain his vote, which was granted He said
in substance:
Mr.. Speaker had hoped that the ayes and
nays HOuiu HoI uc ChtiSu uP"h PiS"""'s "N'
resolutions under consideration; such procedure
is not to be found in the history of any dclibcra-
tive body upon such an occasion, to my knowl-
edge. l had hoped that a preamble and resolu-
ITEMS would be introduced for which every mem
her of this House could yoto. have, from the
time of the surrender of the Confederate Army to
tie authorize, of the United States, advised my
friends, privately, and in every speech that have
delivered, to obey the laws that be, and denounced
laulcssness on every OCCASION heartily endorse
the remarks of my friend Mr.. Moore, from An
derson. Therefore, vote no.
You have already seen in tho Picnic, ere this.
the preamble and resolutions, as well as the pro-
test Of the Democratic msrbcrs 10 the passage OF
the same. The remarks Of Moore and. Turner
brought forth response from Tomlinson and
Whippcr. Tomlinson denied that any charge was
in the preamble and resolutions. against the Dem
cratic party. Whipper boldly asserted that the
Democ ratio party or it's leaders were responsible
for NJ, The deeds of violence and murder commit
ted upon citizens of this State during the late
Presidential campaign. The more intelligent Of
the Republican party do not censure the Demo
Gratis for the vote they gave upon the adoption oil
the preamble and resolutions, but rather commend
them for it. Yours, &C.,
j. WILSON.