The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-04-06
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nauueu 10 US IOr puDICaGOn:.
sLErTER FROM GEORGE W. WILLIAMS, ESQ.
t@ CHARLESTON, April 3, 1869
GovERNoR: Iseldom read the newspapers
/ beyond the commerciat information they
contain; neither have IItaken any part in
politics since the defeat of Clay, in 1874,
aud attach but little Importance to what
the newspapers may say of you and your
administration. 1 must confess, however,
that the editorial which appeared in to-
days News, fills my mind with the
gloomiest apprehension. 1 sincerely hope
that the Charleston editor is the victum of
an April fool, for have too much conf
donce in your good judgment to believe that
you would, at this season of the year, and
in time OF perfect peace, introduce; an ele-
ment IN the State which would demoraliZe
| the agricultural labor from the seal board to
the mountain top. You have lived long
enough at the South, Governor, TO learn
something of the negro character, and how
easily they are drawn from their daily pur-
suits by circus exhibitions and military
parades. The formation of few negro
regiments, reg at this time, would not only have
the most disastrous effects upon the agricul-
tural laborers (both white and black) Of the
State, but would most unquestionably lead
| to war of races.
The merchants and factors of Charleston
are strainlng every nerve'to aid the planters,
and they havn been gratifed to learn that
the negroes throughout the State were
working with unusual energy, and were
much better pleased with their prospects,
than at any time since the termination of
the war. You have, Governor seen enough
of war to fully appreciate the value Of
peace. A few years os peace will restore
the old Palmetto State to her former pros
rerity; but u war of races will prove ruin
Gus to the interests of both white and
black, and reduce the State to anarchy and
ruin. trust, Governor, that you will tele-
graph me to contradict the statement made
in the Daily Ne'rs. You canuot we'll
imagine the deep feeling and apprehension
OF trouble the article has excited among the
sober and well-disposed men of this com
munity. [ have the honor to remain your
obedent servant,
(Signed) GEO. W. WILLIAMS.
To Gov. r. X. SCOTT, Columbia, S. C.
To this, the following reply was trans
mitted by telegraph:
COLUMBIA, April 4, 1869.
GEORGE w. WILLIAMS, ESQ Say to we'll
| disposed business men of Charleston that
they should have seen heretofore enough of
such blood and thunder fulminations ns the
one you forward mo. clipped from the Neus,
to have justified them in treating the authors
with contempt, and the article with indif-
| AL S'ShSS. VIII reply u you Dy mall.
ROBERT K. SCOTT, Governor.
LETTER FROM GOVERNOR SCOTT.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT,
=, COLUMBIA, April 5, 1860.
George ". ITiHidn,s, Esq, Charleston.
MY DEAR SIR: Yours of the Sd came dnly
to hand. The windy article in the Ners need
give yon no apprehension. That journal is
somewhat of sensationalist and it is of
more consequence to its circulation that ITS
leader should be startling, than that it should
be true; and If little personal malice can be
gratlhed at the same time, adouble purpose
is served. The article headed "Governor
Scott sowing the wind is of this character,
and contains but n slight foundation in
fact for Its many falsehoods. have given
no orders for the Immediate formation of Al
company of negro State troops" No orders
have been issued for the enrolment of the
militia, under the recent Act of the Leeisla-
tnre; even the Adjutant Generals office has
not yet been opened, and before any organi-
zatlon OF the militia into companies or reoi-
ments can be attempted, an enrolment of
all the citizens of the State, white and
colored, subject to militia duty. must first
be completed; which, in itself, will require
considerable time. [ am led to believe
however, from a letter recently received
from MIR. Guffin, of Abbeville, that the
AdJutant and Inspector General, now all.
sent from the State, promised him the posi-
ton of enrolling officer of that County.
when the enrolment is ordered. This may
have given rise to the rumors of enlstments
and excitement in that neighborhood
spoken of by the Ne,cs, and Of which 1
know nothing, except what gather from
Its Nominations. In reply to Mr. Guffin,
who Is n native of Abbeville. and as re-
spectacle and us patriotic gentleman as
any in the County, directed him, if any Of
the colored people had supposed that they
were to be Immediately enrolled, to disabuse
them OF that notion; direct them to return
to their homes and labors, and remain there