The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-25
THE SPECIAL MESSAGE OF GOV.
ERNOR SCOTT.

THE SPECIAL MESSAGE OF GOV.
ERNOR SCOTT.
We took occasion, in our last issue,
to allude to the troubles of the up
country, and to account for their e1-
istence there, as we'll as elsewhere, 10
the absence. Of equality and impartiafity
in the administration of the State gov
ernment-the arming of the blacks and
refusal to arm the whites, being a
prominent and representative feature.
That position we regard as we'll taken,
and true analysis of the situation.-
Under it, the whites felt that the only
protection to person and property held
by them, lay in the inherent an1 re-
served powers given by God-the power
and right to defend themselves, when
the defending arm of the law was no
longer available. Under it, notwith-
standing the difficulties were mainly
personal, and isolated, and not paltici'
pated in by any community or county,
as such, and in many instances, it may
be, under other circumstances, unworthy
of notice, it cannot be denied that those
difficulties touched chord that yibraed
through every tissue and artery Of the
great heart ol the people. And in this
condition, just and we'll grounded fears
we're entertained of widespread trou-
Bile at any moment; for whilst the voice
and influence of the bettee classes was
conservative and restraining, none could
tell when matters might culminate and
reach that point at which conservatism
would be dastardly, and when the arms
Of the best and most peaceable citizens
must be lifted to strike, and to strike
vigorously. That there have not been
more and greater difhculties-thas more
blood Las not been shed, and larger
number Of the usurpers and asturbers
been made to bite the dust, has been
the result entirely of the patience and
endurance ofthe whites-the exhibition
of virtuous, we'll poised self control and
sacrifice that rises sublimely iu the scale
of moral heroism-the legitimate coun
terpart of their valorous record Of the
war.
From the message which Governor
ScorT ssnt to the Legislature on the
18th, and which is rcpublished in
another part Of this paper, it seems that
he at least is determined, as far as the
oowers and influence of his official
position extend, 10 rcmove the Difficult
ty, by the Inauguration Of just and
impartial policy. We hail it as the first
decided note OF peace that we have
heard from his administration, and as
the augury of a better state Of affairs in
our distracted country. We believe
that it will accomplish more toward
putting an end to the disturbances in
tie State, than would military camp
IN every township.
Governor >coTT takes ground against
the employment Of the militia and
martial law, or any military power, as
remedy for the disturbances that exist,
and assumes that the civil power is svf-
fcieut for the protection Of the life,
liberty aud property Of the citizens of
the State. In this he will be seconded
by the whole mass cf the better class Of
the people. 1t is the idea that the
colored race, marshalled as armed mill
tia, would be used against the whites,
that has produced irritation, and acts Of
lawless1ess, inceDdiarism, violence and
blood all over the State. Let it be un
dcrstood that the civil law is to be
executed iu its justice, and surely exc
cuted, and that beyond this there is to
be no interference or protection for evil
doers, and the better sense Of the peo-
pie is assured, and our troubles cease.
Governor ScoTT takes the ground
again that there are DO disturbsn ces in
the State that warrant the calling out Of
the militia-that he will not venture,
os Executive Of the State, to pronounce
auy OF the counties riotous and reiracto
ry-t..at there is nothing like county