The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-09-16

with arms, and denOnnce ana InrcaloIl
the speakers, and make otherwise often
sive demonstrations, it is hardly to beck
pected that those who attend such meet
ings will hesitate to provide themselves
with such means of defence as they can
procure. Hence it is that what is clearly
the right OF the citizen, has been so gross
ly abused as to alarm all thinking men.
The only cure for an evil of this sort is
the discountenancing BY the influential
citizens of the ghborhood, of all inter-
ference with, or disturbance Of any pub
lie meeting; the thorough abstinence on
tho part Of all citizens from threatening
or violent dcnunciation of those who diff
fer with them politically and, what is of
equal importance, the discontnuance of
the habit Of bearing either concealed or
open weapons by every respectable mana
habit only proper to state of society
without any civil government. "Thep petit
ton and. remonstrance' would leave it to
be implied that only the blacks of your
community were armed, while it is noto-
rious that there are quite as many, and
probably more, white men armed than
blacks, and that their arms are of su-
perior degree of efficiency. Itis not be-
lievcd that either whites or blacks arc at
present however in "armcd organiza-
tions" a..i.
The investigation failed to justify the
statement that any armed organization of
blacks were preparing 10 assault tho Jail
and release prisoners. No attempt to do
SO was made, all such purT osc was entire
" disavowcd and, whatever some fool
.ish persons may have idly said to indicate
such purpose, would not lave attracted
notice, or had the slightest significance,
in ordinary times. 1t is, however, evi-
dent that one Bates has done various acts,
and uttered many words calculated to in
fame the ignorant, and deceive tho un-
wary and thathis language and conduct
have. without conflicting with any posi-
tive law of the State, been such as all
good citizens must condemn. They were
most positively condemned and ccnsurcd
by the Executive
The meeting which was proposed by
the blacks on Saturday, the ,lst day of
August, was not held. Directions were
given from the Executive that it should
not be held or rather adDice to that effect
was given, for he had no power to conn
mand in the premises. H,s advice was
followed. The meeting was postponed.
Tie coorcd men were assured by prom
inent white men that they would not be
disturbed in their next meeting, and they
attended It unarmcd. At this meeting it
is alleged that white men on horseback
and armed, appeared, and annoyed and
disturbed the speakers and tho audience
by threats, dcnunciations and other often
siye demonstrations. This was q viola
ton of the compact into which tho col
ored men had entered with their wl.itc fol-
low citizens. 1t is not strange that the
coorcd men again armed themselves. 1t
was hardly to be expected that they
would Go otherwise. 1t was subsequent
lv to this disturbance of the meeting OF
the colorcd citizens that the collision oc-
CURED at Santuc Depot. That collision
is now in process of investigation. AS be-
fore, each party accused the othor of
bringing it on. The officers of the law
will be advised to perform their whole
duty in the premises, and whoever shall
be found guilty shall surely bo punished
if it is in the power Of the Executive to
effect that purpose.
s:I am requested s'to maintain the pub.
lie peace, and to secure to persons OF all
classes and races, life, liberty and proper
ty free from attempted intimidation by
armed bands of lawlcss ruffians."
shall certainly use all my power IN
the direction indicated; and that may
the more efficiently securcthc desired OBJ
ects, call upon all persons TO pay that
respect TO the officers OF tho State Gov
crnment which their position entities
them, to demand. l call upon all citizens
who claim protection from the State Gov
crnment to abstain from using the infiu.
cncc they possess TO detract from. and
nullify. the authority and validity OF that
Government. A large part of the white
citizens of the State industriously nstll
into thc minds of each other the danger
ous and false doctrine that the Govern
mont of this State dc facto, is not the
Government dc jurc, and that its laws are
no laws, and its commands no commands.
This is not merely misrepresentation,
but one OF the most dangerous KIND. 1t
says to tho ignorant and misguided that
n State of anarchy exists in the State,
and that they may, with impunity, com
mits any, however wicked, decd. The
enunciation Of this false doctrine, by
leading white citizens, has been already
productive of tho most serious evils, and
must end in ruin to the whole commune
ty. unless mems minds are dsabuscd.
The men who instigatcd secession were
enemies to public prosperity. Their coun-
sci was poisonous to the interests OF tue
country The people, howovcr, accepted
it, and the dcvastations of war, with all
its horrors and miscrics, were the result.
The men who are preaching the doctrine
that the State has no legal Government
IL. l,ni., ,r.nlf