The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1868-09-09
By the Governor.
STATE OF South CAROLINA, }
EXECUTIVE DEPARTM'T,

| STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA, }
| EXECUTIVE DEPARTM'T,.
I COLUMBIA, August 81, 1868.
Information having been com
municated to this department, o.
proceedings calculated to disturb
the tranquility Of the State,
deem it my duty to earnestly ap
peal to my fellow citizens to re
! frain from, and discountenance al
demonstrations whereby the pub
lie peace may be endangered.
1t is alleged that armed organi.
cations exist, which are regularly
! Differed and drilled, and pretend
to act by authority. There is not
only no authority for armed or
military organizations in South
Carolina, but they are in direct
violation of the laws of.the United
States. They must therefore be
at once disbanded. -.
I have also been informed of the
surreptitious introduction into the
State of firearms and ammunition
Of the most improved description,
which, it is reported, are to be
used for partisan purposes. AL
though not so openly in coufict
With the laws, this is equally dan
gerous and threatening to,the pub
lie peace:
Deadly weapons in the hands of
inconsiderate persons, infamed by
political excitement, may lead to
the most deplorable results, and
all good citizens who can foresee
the frightful consequences of a COL
lision, should earnestly and prompt
ly>throw the whole weight of their
moral influence against a policy
which would place life and droper-
ty at the mercy of a mob
The right Of every political
party to assemble and deliberate
for the common good is undeni,
ahfe, a1d aHy ytnEeFIu,,sson Of such
proceeding, or molestation of indi-
viduals in attendance, is utterly
uniustifable.
Infammatory and threatening
language al public meetings, and
in thenewspapers, should be avoid
ed and discountenanced, because
it unnecessarily aggravates the ex--
citement incident to the present
political canvass. ~.. .-
The right Of every voter to ad-
vocate such political principles.
and support such candidates, as
commend themselves to his judg-
ment, must be secured to him with
out restraint, or intimidation.
1t is the distinguishing feature
of Rennhlican Government that it
is based upon the consent of the
governed. It's policy is controlled
by the will OF the majority as le-
ultimately expressed through the
ballot-box. To thwart or r-snbvert
that will, to interfere with this sa,
cred right of opinion, the basis OF
all free institutions, by threat or
violence, is to substitute force for
law. The power which exalts one
party to-day may give to its an,
tagonist the control tomorrow,
and the end will be anarchy, ruin
and despotism.
AS the Chief Magistrate of the
State, it is my duty to execute the
law, preserve the public peace, and
insure domestic tranquility. Il is
my determination to exert all the.
influence I possess, and all the au-
thority Conferred on me by the
Constitution, for that purpose. l
therefore, earnestly and respect
fully appeal to all good citizens,
and especially to thossswhose po-
sition and character enable them to
exercise salutary influence upon
public opinion, to aid me in my ef-
forts to maintain the supremacy of
the laws, and preserve the peace
and dignity Of the Commonwealth.
ROBERT K. SCOTT,
Governor.