The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-12-01

C0kesb bury, Abbeville County, on the
lSsh October, Mr.. Randolph was on
his way TO address meeting 4 of his
fellow-citizens, and upon the stop
ping Of the train, while on the plat
form OF the car, was assassinated by
three ruffiAns, who had evidently
been lying in wait for the purpose.
and notwithstanding there were a
number OF persons present, includ-
ing those connected with the train,
the assassins were permitted to lei
surely mount their horses and escape.
Mr.. Randolph was man of enlarged
views, of great force of character.
and exercised an extensive influence
upon public sentiment. Notwith
standing that he was studiously cour-
teous and liberal in his intercourse
with his fellow-men, the additional
infamy, as in the case of Mr.. Martin,
was attempted, by sheer fabrications
md faisehoOd, TO biacken his charac-
ter and defame his memory, as pal
liation, if not justification, of his
murder. Other instances of violence
and outrages of the most revolving
character, in portions of Edgefeld.
Abbeville and Newberry Counties.
have been reported to this Depart
ment, but prominence has been given
to the assassinations of Messrs. Mar
tin and Randolph, because of their
official position. Large rewards have
been offered for the apprehension of
these murderers, some of whom are
known to be refugees and outlaws
from adjoining States, who availed
themselves of the political excitement
as cloak for their schemes of rapine
and murder; but such is the condi-
tion of society in their Immediate
neighborhoods, that neither the pro-
missed rewards nor the strenuous eff
forts of civil officers, have accom-
plished their arrest. They are fully
armed and mounted, and boast of
the extent and power Of their organi-
zation. And II somewhat prominent
individual, who is himself under
heavy bonds to answer the charge of
completely in the murder of the Ia
mented Randolph, has had the hnrdi-
hood to publish an address to the
Executive. threatening still further
outrages and additional victims. As
discouraging evidence of the dete-
rioration of journalistic morals. it
may be mentioned that this covert
threat of assassination has been pub
lished and republished without q word
of censure or dissent.
The turbulent condition of affairs
In the localities to which I have called
your attention, cannot and must not
be longer tolerated. A Government
unable to enforce its laws and pro-
tect its citizens, is az mockeryand a
sham, meriting the scorn and con-
tempt of its opponents, and unwor-
thy the confidence and support of its
friends. 1t cannot administer Justice
through its courts, or collect it's reve-
nue. by taxation. Aremedy for these
evils, which strike ut the very foun-
dation of the State, should be prompt
ly applied. The law must be made
supreme. The most arrogant must
be taught to obey its behests; the
humblest assured of its protection.
The general elections having pass
ed, and the political issues involved,
which so fiercely agitated the coun-
try, having been determined for
considerable period, it is devoutly
to be hoped that the community may
be indulged in much needed respite
from the passions and excitements to
which it has so long been subjected,
and that our people may be enabled
to turn their attention to the deve-
lopment and improvement of their
material resources, which have been
so badly impaired and neglected. 1t
gives me much pleasure to state that
assurances have been received, both
previous and subsequent to the cleo
ton. from many of the most promi-
nent men of the State, heretofore in
active opposition to the Government,
of their regret at the occurrence of
these outrages, and their detestation
for their authors, as we'll rs of their
determination to yield willing obe-
dience to the Constitution and laws,
relying upon the peaceful exercise of
their rights at the ballot-box to RENE
dy whatever they may deem obiec-
tionable in them. This determine
ton has exerted, and cannot but
continue to exert, favorable inf1u-
ence upon the prosperity of the State
-tranquilizing its people, stimulat-
ing its industry, and giving character
and credit to its enterprises. Recog-
niZino with pleasnre these avidanooc