The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-11

Il
benefit tof the citizen, In whose case the \
rigor of military authority might have
been oppressive. }, By this oourae of conci- 4
nation, I have been enabled to effect MOI
difoations OF military orders that might
BY this course of conoiliaSion, tho taxes
imposed by the military have not only
been materially reduced, but levied upon
q more equitable and acceptable basis
than heretofore. By this conrse of conci-
liation, have been enabled to secure the
usual support for the public institutions,
and they have been fostered and enoou-
ragged. Public improvements have not
been arrested, but pushed forward to a
state OF completion. And, finally, harmo-
ny and peace have been preserved, and
the great interests Of the Commonwealth
been promoted, so that the people Of the
State have not materially experienced the
usual Inconvenience OF military rule.
And now repeat, what has already been
the liberty of the citizen, the protection of
person and property, the usual avocations
and employments OF the citizen, and the
regular administration Of justice, have
| been interfered with and obstructed as
little in South Carolina as in any other OF
| the ten States under military rule.
The Executive might have resigned, or
| have refused to recognize the Acts of Con-
gress and the military orders, and have
been removed. The Judges Of the Courts
Of Appeal, Of the Circuit Courts, and of
the Court of Chancery, District officers,
tax-collectors, magistrates. and others,
| might have adopted q similar policy. But
| what would have boon the result? Their
| places would have been filled by strangers,
having neither interest nor sympathy
with our populations; or there would have
been established an absolute military
| government, with bayonets and provost
courts to enforce military law, to afford the
protection demanded by tho various
classes i'll the community. 1t may be,
that those holding official position in
course which has been pursued, have
acted unwisely; but it is doubtful whether
| conscientious man can be found, within
the limits of the State, who will not admit
that, by this policy, the citizen has been
protected from the arbitrary expressions
| Of the bayonet power. 1t remains for the
people to say whether their executive,
| judicial and ministerial officers have not,
| under all the circumstances, acted in &C
cordance with the dictates of wisdom and
patriotism, and pursued the only policy
which could secure the peace and prosperi-
| ty of the State.
! My successor, Governor r. X. Scott, has
| been inauguratcd. His address and mes
| sage are before you. The principles and
| purposes which he avows, with reference
to the policy and interest of the State, are
wise and patriotic, and respectfully invite
the people to give to his administration
full and fair trial, before they determine
upon its condemnation. However much,
as an individual, he may differ in political
opinion with the majority of the white
citizens, who represent the wealth aud in
telligence OF South Carolina, / believe it
| to be his aim and object, as the Executive
Of the State, to develop in the largest de-
gree her material prosperity. In this un-
dertaking he should receive the co-opera.
tion of every class of the community, and
an encouragement which will stimulate
| him to such exertions as will not only
command the praise of men, but obiterate
the memory OF the wrongs and prejudices
Of the past.
am done. Twenty-four years ago 1 enter
ed the service of the people of South Ca
rolina. During this period, which has
embraced the primo of my life, have
filled, with brief respite, many of the
most honorable and responsible positions,
in the State and General Government. /
may have committed grave errors of judg-
ment; but in every sphere in which 1 have
acted, it has been my aim to protect and
promote the interests of the people OF
South Carolina. In common with all pub
lie men, my motives have been impugned
and my actions misrepresented. Harsh
and unjust criticism has often followed
| the most earnest efforts to accomplish
good; but have lived long enough to DO
rewarded by the success of many measures
dhtl WHICH uhNC OuI-llVcQ tho
censure bestowed upon them and their
author. While some have shown an an
| tagonism which was undeserved, have
received sympathy and support from many
kind friends who in the darkest moments,
| have never relax. ID their confidence in the
earnestness and honesty of purpose with
which l have sought to administer public
affairs.
Especially during the last three years,
| in which / have acted as the Governor of
South Carolina, under embarrassments
unknown to any of my predecessors, 1
have encountered prejudices, whose Bit
terness time alone can assuage, and whose
| injustice time alone will obliterate. Con-
scious, however, Of a rectitude Of purpose,
| feeling that Providence had placed me in q
| position which would enable me to serve
the people of South Carolina, and perhaps
spare them the infliction of many of the
| evils incident to absolute military authori-
| ty, have pursued my convictions re-
| gardless Of the threats Of enemies, or tho
opportunities of friends. My work has
been accomplished. The State has passed
into the control Of those authorized to
govern it by the supreme law Of the land;
| and nothing is left to me now, but to in
woke the blessings Of Heaven upon this
| shattered and stricken commonwealth.
TO the people of South Carolina, for
their oft-repeated evidences of confidence
and support, l tender my heart felt
thanks, and bid them farewell.
JAMES l.. ORR.
| COLUMBIA, July 10. 1868.