Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-06-17
The Tramp of the Despot.

Across the narrow stream which divides tho
States of Georgia and South Carolina, comes
the deep thud Of the Tyrant,s tramp, as he
moves on to new deeds Of despotism, and sets
his foot more firmly and more heavily upon
the necks of gallaut but weak and power
less people. Ah how the blood boils in the
veins, the teeth gnash together, and the ehands
clinch. as the rod of the Despot waves over
noble but enslaved Sta:e!
Intelligent, proud, hospitablc, in peace,
brave, heroic, gallant, in war;. the people of
South Carolina are now suffering under tyr.
amy more CALLING and terrible than those of
her Southern sister States-galling and terri.
bic as they are. But a few DAYS apo, num-
Der of citizens of Hamburg were dragged from
their homes, 'andsmsde TO perform The most
menial and degrading services, simply because
they would not tleta- political party have the
use of church which was under their con-
trol.a Fheyihadsa right to refuse the use of
the edffice for the orgies of the enemies of
their country and, in exercising this right,
they violated no law, no military order. But
the Gesler of South Carolina, csonot brook
the cold contempt which the, e,people there feel
for bin, and are too proud, too candid, to
even wisht conceal and so must needs vent
his wrath upon the innocent and unofending.
And yet the bitter cup of woe is not full.
Carolina, thy humiliation is not complete.
The vulturess who are Sbattening upon thy
chained and lacerated limbs are not satiated.
You will not bow to Gesler's cap as you pass
it in the streets, andiiyou make no genufex.
ions to shoulGsr-straps, or to " Haunting lies,"
as they wave over your desolated land. And
so your humiliation is not complete, Those
who were once your slaves-those who. now,
as then, are your inferiors.---nust be placed
over you, and sit in your council chambers to
make laws for you, and complete your CALLING
list Of woes. Seven Negroes in the Council
Chamber Of Charlestonl Seven Negroes by
order Of .Gesler! And yet you bend not the
knee or bow the head, stiff-necked people of
South Carolina. And yet, 81 on point to Ges-
ler,with the iuger -of-scera, and sigh for q
Tell, a Gefsr.st rid yGfof his tyranny. O
be firm be patient The day of deliverance
is at hand, and the,sun- Of justice will soon,
we hope flight you cnjto freedom, peace, and
prosperity once more, The people of the
North, we are told, are awaking "to, the sin
and failure" Of Reconstruction, and are pr,-
pairing to hurl from power the minions ftyr.
amy. Be patient. The days of Nero, of
Dyonisius, of Gesler, are numbered. Be pa.
tienr. The CALLING chains Of tyranny will, ere
long, be stricken from your. limbs, and the
fetters- now prepared for you be fastened upon
your oppressors. Be'patient, be firm, preserve
your manhood and your dignity; the God Of
Justice will right the suffering South yet;
and, though we have no faith in man, yet let
us not lose faith in aGod-but, trusting in
Him, yielding no principle of;right or justice,
ever maintaining strict and patriotic integ-
rity, we mustard will pass safely through
this fiery ordeal, while The bitter cup of woe
prepared for us will be forced upon those who
have so prepared it.-Banner of the South.