The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-11-09
PROCLAMATION

By his Erceuency ROBERT e, SCOTT, Co
rernor Of The State Of South Carolina.
WIHEREAS, information has been received
wv at this Department., that portions of
the County OF Sumter, in said State, are in
tested by bands of lawless and unprinoipled
mon, who, under pretext of suppressing illicit
traffic in cotton, have wiifuly and maliciously
set fire to and consumed the storehouses of
citizens, and openly avow their determination
OF perpetrating similar outrages upon the pro-
perty of others, unless the threatening notices
served upon them by these wrong -doers are
promptly obeyed; and whereas, these unlaw-
ful parties are regularly organized, armed and
mounted, and, disguised in fantastic cos
TUNES, prowl about at night, in bodies too
strong to be confronted or arrested by the
peace officers of the County, and this, in dcro-
CATION Of the laws, i'll violation of the peace
and good Ordor OF the community, and tho leo
pardizing OF the lives and property OF the citi-
zens.
Now, therefore, !, ROBERT X. SCOTT, Go
vernon of the State of South Carolina, do here
by issue this, my proclamation, enjoining and
| directing all Magistrates, Sherffs, and other
| officers OF the peace, in said County OF Sumter,
to be faithful, viSilant and active in the up
holding of tho laws and in the discharge of
their duties. and especially in forreting ont,
and bringing to punishment. the perpetrators
OF these nefearious outrages; and 1 would
earnestly invoke tho aid of the law-abiding
citizens Of the County, of those who have an
interest in it's reputation and prosperity, that
they all discountenance and discourage all
measures and proceedings tending to violence
ana lnsupordlnatloh, ana especially those
which would substitute for the peaceablc pro-
cess OF the law the torch Of the incendiary
lncendiarism, at all times and places is a
crime OF the gravcst magnitude, but its terri
bic teachings make it doubiv dangerous in n
community like ours. If those who pretend to
possess the property, the intelligence and the
morality of the community resort to il, under
the pretence OF enforcing law or furnishing
dishonesty, they must not DO surprised If
others, not 80 favored, smarting under sense
OF injustice aad wrong, by which, perhaps
they have been defrnuded of the hartl-carned
proccods OF their labor, and their families de-
prived OF food, clothing and shelter land such
cases are not xnlrequcnt,) should resort to tho
same summary process for redress. Tho pro-
lection of law being withdrawn from property
and self-constituted and irresponsible body
of individuals assuming To themselves tho
power of pronouncing upon the guilt or inno-
ccnce Of individuals, alleged to be dishonest
but too frequently because they arc personally
or politically obnoxious to their accusers, the
| hood-gates or anarchy and crmo are at once
opened; antagonistic associations will be or
ganized; and the community become the prey
OF hostile factions, primarily excited by re-
vcnge, but which will eventually be character
lZed by plunder and license, and the exhibi-
ton OF tho worst passions of human nature
The lurid glare of tho midnight torch will
light mp many a peaceful neighborhood to
scenes OF desolation and plumber, and to at
trocties, at tho mere allusion to which hu-
manity shudders, and which every good citi-
zen, every lover of his kind all who Value and
honor the reputation and prosperity OF the
State, should ardently deprecate and devote
their most strenuous cxertions to prevent and
punish.
99lt Id my duty and determination 70 use all
the measures at my disposal to put a stop to
proceedings that may lead to such deplorable
results; and with this purpose have sum-
moned to tho aid of tho peace Others of said
County the armed police OF the State. Should
this be insufficient in arresting and suppress
ing these illegal proceedings. however much
1 may regret the necessity. / shnll Dlace fhn
County OF Sumter under martial law, and in
woke tho entire power OF the State in re- estab.
fishing the supremacy of tho laws.
In testimony whereof, have hereunto set my
hand, and caused the great seal of the
: State to be af1il cd, at Columbia, this 9Th
day of November, A. d. 1869, and in the
= ninety fourth year Of tho independence of
the United States of America
ROBERT X. SCOTT, Governor.
+. l.. CAnDozo, Secretary of State.
! Move