The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-11
COLUMBIA. S. G.. FRIDAY MORNING SEPTEMBER H. 1868

notice, or hads the slightest signifi-
cance in ordinary times. It is, how
ever, evident that one Bates has done
various acts and uttered many words
calculated to inhame the ignorant
and deceive the unwary, and that his
language and conduct have. without
conflicting with any positive law of
the State, been such as all good citi-
zens must condemn. They were
most positively condemned and cen
sured by the Executive.
The meeting which was proposed
by the blacks, on Saturday, the 1st
day of August, was not held. Direc-
tions were given from the Executive
that it should not be held, or rather
advice to that effect was given, for he
had no power to command in the
premises. His advice was followed.
The meeting was postponed. The
colored men were assured by promi-
nent white men that they would not
be disturbed in their next meeting,
and they attended it unarmed. At
this meeting it is alleged that white
men, on horseback and armed, ap-
peared and annoyed and disturbed
the speakers and the audience by
threats, denunciations and other Of
fensive demonstrations. This was
violation of the compact into which
the colored men had entered with
their white fellow citizens. It is not
strange that the colored men again
armed themselves. It was hardly to
be expected that they would do other
wise. 1t was subsequently to this
disturbance of the meeting of the
colored citizens that the collision oc-
CURED at Santuc Depot. That COLI
sion is now i'll process of investiga-
tion. AS before, each party accused
the other of bringing it on. The
officers of the law will be advised to
perform their whole duty in the pre-
misses, and whoever shall be found
guilty shall surely be punished, if it
is in the power of the Executive to
effect that purpose.
/ am requested "to maintain the
public peace, and to secure to per-
sons of all classes and races life,
liberty and property, free from at
tempted intimidation by armed bands
of lawless ruffians."
shall certainly use all my power
in the direction Indicated; and that
[ may the more efficiently secure the
desired objects, I call upon all per-
sons to pay that respect to the officers
of the State government which their
position entities them to demand. 1
call upon all citizens who claim pro-
lection from the State Government
to abstain from using the influence
they possess to detract from, and null
lily, the authority and validity of
that government. A large part of
the white citizens of the State indus
triously instil into the minds of each
other the dangerous and false doc
trine that the government of this
State, de Jfacto, is not the government
de ju7'e, and that its laws are no laws,
and its commands no commands.
This is not merely misrepresenta-
ton, but one of the most dangerous
kind. 1t says to the ignorant and
misguided that state of anarchy
exists in the State, and that they
may, with impunity, commit any,
however wicked, deed. The enun-
citation of this false doctrine, by lead
ing white citizens, has been already
productive of the most serious evils,
and must end in rnin to the whole
community, unless mems minds are
disabused. The men who instigated
secession were enemies to public
prosperity. Their counsel was poi
sonous to the interests of the coun-
try. The people, however, accepted
it, and the devastations of war, with
oil its horrors and miseries, were the
result. The men who are preaching
the doctrine that the State has no
legal government to-day, are equally
enemies. Their counsels are equally
poisonous. God grant they may not
be able again to lead our people
astray.
Gentlemen, the most effective
means OF restoring your community
to peace and good order is to give
freely to every man the right to speak
his own political conviction; to avoid
threatening colored men or white
men with punishment if they vote
one way or another; to report every
case of violation of law to the proper
magistrate; to give prompt aid to
every officer of the law, when such
aid is required; to show, by word and
act, that you recognize and respect,
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