The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1868-10-29
PROCLAMATION
BY HIS Ercellency ROBERTK SCOTT
Governor of South Carolina

BY HIS Ercellency ROBERTK SCOTT
Governor Of South Carolina
WHEREAS, reports are being daily re-
w ceived at this Department. and par
ticularly from the Counties Of Abbevill.,
Anderson, Edge6eld. Lexington, berry,
Chester. Laureus, Union. York and Oar
lington, that the laws are being violated,
and the officers of the law set at detiarce /;
that peaceful and un"tfending citizens az q
murdered in cold blood. and the murderers
not only permitted but aided to escape
from justice; that families have been forced
To abandon their numes and property by
fear Of violence; that the authority OF the
Stale Government is openly derid-d and
denied THAI threats of violence, and even
Of death, are uttered against prominent
members Of the Republican party, If they
shall attempt to visit their Districts. for
the purpose of discussing the political
questions Of the day that declarations are
openly made by persons calling themselves
Dom ocrsts, of thsir determination not TO
permit their political opponents to vote at
the ensuing election and, to enable them
to effrct their purposes, and to overawe
she people, large quantities Of fire arms, of
the most improved description. haze been
brought into the State and secretly distri
buted that the public highways are pict.
e,ed and patrolled by armed men, who stop
and in'rrr"gnte passengers, frequently abu
ling and assaulting those who differ with
them in political opinion; and especially is
there apparent n 3, ,sreuatic effort. by abuse
aid intimidation, TO deter colorpd persons
from the exercise Of the elective franchise.
nd all in trnp ~ e 4
r"gation Of The peace and dignity If the
Commonwealth. and in violation OF the
rights of the citizens.
The right Of suffrage belongs equally to
the white and colofed race, and all must
be protected in its free and peaceful exer
Else. Fraud or violence may vitiate the re
turns Of any poll where they NAV be per
pe'ra,ed, and call upon all good citizens
I" ald the officers Of the law in their efforts
to maintain The peace and prcserve the in,
dependence md purity Of the ballot. box
Ihe State Government, IF which | am
the Executive head. il not only de facio but
de eJure, aud commands the allegiance Of all
within ia territorial limits. IL ia ind-pen
dent Of Federal Legislation and Of the Fed
ernl Judiciary, whose powers are defined
10y the Constitution, t0 he judicial" and not
"poltcal.' lis sovereignty and it's honor
ARE IN its own Keeping and the rights gran
ted aid conferred by it can onl, b.. affected
or subvertcd by chnrg. in the organic
law, IN obedience to the wishes Of the pro
pie OF q State acting in their sovereign
capacity In Convention called for the puri
pose. i" resist the laws Of the State. rep.
resented by il. legally constituted officers,
is nm offence of the grave.t character ; and
armed resistance is treason
Now. therefore. I. ROBERr 7 K. SCOTT.
Governor Of the State If South Carolina.
do hereby Issue thi, my proclaim ton, en-.
joining and commanding Mi Magistrates
49,. ''''-' ""S o'"v, "mcets OF tne peacs IN
their respective Counties. to be fai; hful,
v'gi'ant. and active in the discharge of their
duties, and to report promptly to this De.
partment every case where they are ob
s'ructed or resisted In doing so and. in the
event OF resistance or assault, they are di
reci.d to apply To the nearest military post
OF United States troops for aid and co ope,
ration in enforcing the laws and maint ain
ing the pnb'i, peace. In case Of failure by
the Mag srntes Saerif. aud officers (
the peace 10 perform these duties promptly
and efficiently. either from neglect or s,m m
Phthy with the wrong.doers. they will be
promptly removed and their places filled by
d;..ha,g IT. t,: anu ''.'"'u' !" "s
n,mn;,, '"'" w V '''o"' " the COM
"'
abiding people Of the State, TO those who
are identified and interested in her reputa.
ton and prosperity, to all who are opposed
to violence and bIoodshed, and to a condi
lion OF riot and anarchy. in which life and
aid me IN nv effor,s ,o m,ini.;r rho sn.
macy Of the law and IN, right. of n. psn
PIE. by discount. nancing aud denouncinp
all violence and outrage, and by assisting
the Magisirates and peace officers in arrest