The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1870-03-30
THE WATCHMAN
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WEDN ESDAY. MARCH 80.
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A. A. IlBERT EDITOR
The Sumter WatcAmaa has by
for tie largest circulation (espe-
eially IN the surrounding couat1y)
Of any paper published IN Sumter,
and acas established S,e 1850.
GOV. SCOTT Ar WASHINGTON


In the midst Of perfect calm, aud
whilst the press of the State, from one
end Of it to the other, is declaring for
peace and harmony, quiet elections and
cessation of political agitasion--is oall-
ing for the union Of all good citizens,
white and colorcd, for the promotion of
these ends, aud for securing honest and
economical government, Gov. Scott
turns up at Washington, before mass
meeting, 'belching forth threats Of force
and Misunderstanding out "Winchester
Rifles, "6'one hundred rounds Of ammu.
milton for each man." "a fair election"
Sc.
The distant reader would suppose
that the people were in arms agains:
the State Government, and refused obe.'
dieuce to the laws whereas, obedience
to law, State aud National, everywhere
prevails, and an almost unparalleled
absence Of disturbance, of any sort,
exists throughout tho State. A better
feeling, too, is beginning to manifest
itself between the raccs--a consumma.
tion so essential to the common pros
perity.
The reason for this course, on the part
Of Gov. Scott, is apparent to every care.
ful observer Of passing events. Excite.
ment and disturbance constitute his
"vital breath" Of office-in no other way
can ho hope to retain position in the
State. Agitation! agitation by which
the severance, politically, of the two
races, may be kept up, and himself thus
continue in the lead Of the colored
people, upon whom he is entirely de.
pendent for his power.
But the voice Of the conservative
masses Of tic State now heard will grow
louder and stronger, until it shall drown
his cry for "Winchcster rifles !" The
people of the State intend to have
peace, whether such a state Of things
further the interests of Gov. Scott or
cot. The following is the report of his
speech alluded to-:
"lsis t;mc that weak. knccd men in
Congress, who feel that they are carry
cling legislation little too far, should
"make up their minds to recognize the
"Southcrn Confedcracy, and leave US to
QUO the best we can for ourselves. AS
"to Georgia, you give the loyal people
"thcre arms, and they will protect
themselves. say to you gentlemen,
"this evening, as for South Carolina, no
"Republican will ever go to the doors
"of Congress again and knock for adj
Omission with majority against him,
"because his friends have been prohibi.
"ted by intimidation aud murder from
"voting. Unless this thing stops here,
~ tell you that the next class of men
"that comes will be the rebel element
"of that country, asking for protection.
awe have stood upon picket line for
"four years. Ispcnt four years in the
"army, and never felt greater danger on
"a picket line than did during the
Campaign of186S. say let Georgia
"alonc. Strike out the Bingham
amendment. Admit the State. (Great
"applause) Let them fight out their
Gown battles. Ifthcy decide that they
"want an election, soy to the members
cot the Legislature Of Georgia, when
"you go home pass such laws as will
"give your governor power to arm every
Oman in the State. Make an appropri
"ation to enable him to buy all the
"Wi' chester rifles that he can, and one
"hundred rounds Of ammunition for
"each man, and then demand a fair
"election. Let every man vote as he
"please. Cocrce no man keep no man
"away but let him 90 up and vote, and
"you yourselves demand the same
"right tell you the Winchester rife
sis the best law that you can have
there ?"