The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1869-11-10
PROCLAMATION!

ny "to lI4CCtttHCy hODEHI ~. OCO l., 90
vernor Of The State Of South Carolina.
WHEREAS, information has been received
wv at this Department, that portions of
the County OF Sumter, in said State, arc i'll
tested by bands Of lawess and unprincpled
men, who, under pretext of supprcssing illicit
traffic in cotton, have wilfully and maliciously
set fire to and consumed the storehouscs of
citizens, and openly avow their determination
OF perpetrating similar outrages upon tho pro-
perty OF others, unless the threatening notices
served upon them by these wong -doers are
promptly obeyed; and whereas, these unlaw-
full parties are regularly organized, armed and
mounted, and, disguised in fantastic Co.'S
tunes, prowl about at night, in bodies too
strong to be confrontcd or arrested by the
peace officers OF the County, and this. in 'dero-
CATION OF the laws. in violation of the peace
and good order of the community, and the jeo-
pardiZing of the lives and property of the citi-
Zens.
Now, therefore. /, ROBERT X. SCOTT, Co.
vernon Of the State of South Carolina, do here
by issue this, my proclamation, enjoining and
directing all Magistrates, Sheriffs, and other
officers OF tho peace, i'll said County of Sumter,
to be faithful, vigilant and active in the up
holding OF the laws and in the discharge Of
their duties, and especially in ferreiing out
and bringing to punishment, the perpetrators
of these nefearious outraSee; and l would
earnestly invoke the aid OF the law abiding
citizens OF the County, of those who have an
interest in its reputation and prosperity, that
they all discountenance and discourage all
measures and proceedings tending to violence
and insubordination, and especially those
Which would substitute for the peaceable pro-
Gees of the law the torch of the fnccndiary.
Incendiarism, ut all times and places, is q
crime VI the gravest magnitude, but its terri
BILE teachings make it doubly dangerous in
community like ours. If those who pretend to
possess the property, the intelligence and the
morality OF the community resort to it, under
the pretence of enforcing law, or furnishing
dishonesty, they must not be surprised il
others, not 80 favored, smarting under sense
OF injustice and wrong, by which, perhaps,
they have been defrauded of the hard earned
proceeds Of their labor, and their families de-
prived of food, clothing and shelter, (and such
cases are not hnircquent,) should resort to tho
same summary process for redress. The pro-
lection of law being withdrawn from property
and self-oonstituted and irresponsible body
of individuals assuming to themselves the
power OF pronouncing upon the guilt or inno-
cence Of individuals, alleged to be dishonest
but too frequently because they are personally
or politically obnoxious TO their aocusers, the
tiood-gates of anarchy and crime are at once
opened; antagonistic associations will be Or
Sanized. and the community become the prov
OF hostile fections, primarily excited by re-
venge, but which will eventually lie character
ized Ly plundcr and license, and the exhibi-
tion OF the worst passions of human nature.
The lurid glare of the mid might torch will
light up many peaceful neighborhood to
scenes of desoiation and plunder, and to at
trocities, at the mere allusion tn which hu-
manity shuddcrs, and which every good citi-
zen, every lover OF his kind. all who value and
honor the reputation and prosperity OF the
State, should ardcntly deprecate and devote
their most strenuous exertIons to prevent and
punish.
alt is my duty and determination to use all
the mcaaurcs n: my disposal TO put u stop to
proceedings that may lead to such deplorablc
results; and with this purpose have sum-
moned to the aid of tho peace offers Of said
County the armed police OF the State. Should
this be insufficient i'll arrts'ting and Suppress
ing these illegal proceedings. however much
may regret the necessity, shall place the
County of Sumter under martial law, and in
woke the 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 affixed, at Columbia, this 9th
day of November, \. d. 1862 and in the
= ninety fourth year of tho independence of
the United States Of America.
ROBERT *. SCOTT, Governor.
+. IT, CAnDoZo, Secretary of State.
Nov .