The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-10-29

of negroes, should have escaped the
notice of his Excellency, is not to be
believed by any man. That the
numerous acts of the black incendi-
airy, heralded in almost every daily
:sa,a;;o :ssa;o % the public press, coupled
sometimes with deeds of horror end
violence against women OF family and
worth, should have been thus far not
noticed officially, may be somewhat q
matter of surprise. That interfer-
ence by armed negroes with the
ipeaceable assemblage Of the white
citizens of the State, and these
negroes excited to such lawlessness
by white men from other States,
should not have called forth some
public expression, from high autho-
rity, Identifying the particular viola
tion Of the law, and the particular.
outrage of the public peace, is also,
in the estimation of rejecting minds,
cause for surprise. That the armed
negroes on one of the islands near
Charleston should have undertaken
to administer the law. with impunity
to themselves, but with terror and
vengeance to all in opposition, and
all this, too, on the recommendation
of a member of the $50 called" Le-
gislature, and lie acting las was said)
"by authority" should not have
called forth some demonstration
from the powers which be, to punish
the violators of the law and hold
them up to public gaze as examples
of punishment, swift on the commits
sion of such offences, is, in addition,
cause for wonder.
From the ''Qaily" reports of the
public press, incendiarism and out
rage, theft, violence and murder,
have been noted, and by whom per-
petrated? Were the perpetrators the
white or black fellow-citizens of his
Excellency the Governor? Were
they the down-trodden freemen of
the soil, citizens to the manor born,
or were they the renegade squatters,
who come upon no honest errand?
No matter, be they the one class OF
the other, thus far they have escaped
official notice.
But now the scene changes, new
characters present themselves; new
issues are made. hence new remedies
and appliances must be put forth.
And ali this is right, proper and de-
manded by the exigencies of the
times and the high-handed violence
which has been practiced. Gov.
Scott has done no more than duty
demanded in issuing his proclama-
tion for the arrest of men who have
violated the law; howbeit, the amount
of reward offered might exceed the
usual Limitation of the law and prac-
tice of former Governors of the State.
1t may be, however, that his Excel
lency is not far from wrong in this
particular. A heavy reward, far ex-
ceeding, perhaps, the value of the
life taken, may induce information
which otherwise may not be given,
and hence the sum of 5000 may
bring the perpetrators to such con-
dign punishment as is demanded by
the occasions.
There are, Notwithstanding, some
considerations which might even
weigh against this high reward.
There is, as we boast noac, under our
very enlightened Government, free
dom Of speech, and truly Republican.
A negro, or travelling white man.
without home, character, or ostensi-
BILE means of livelihood, may address
an asscmblagein the most incendiary
manner; he may counsel them to
theft, arson, murder, or the commits
sion of any crime. He may advise
riot in any manner against the white
citizens of the State; he may tell his
fellows to arm themselves, to 90 to
all meetings ready to defend them
selves and their rights; nay, more-to
kill, and after killing, to bury the
dead with their faces downward. This
is not fiction. The press has an
nounced it in various Districts of the
State, and such has been the fire.
quency of these violations on the
part of the negro and his coadjutors,
that the peaceable white man is COM
PEELED to arm himself for the defence
of home and family. Has the Go
vernon had any such reports made to
him, as regards these violations of
his authority, as he is presumed, for
the time being. to be the embodiment
of the State?
Every good citizen will award to
him the dignity of his Office, and as
sist him in the preservation of order,
they themselves first setting the exam
pie; but. at the same time, will look
to his Excellency for even-handed
II. i