The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-01

Gov. Scotcs Annual Message, Concluded.
In view of this condition of affairs,
she State capital vas thronged by refu-
gee Republicans, and in the months of
January and February last. was ear.
neatly urged By many loyal mon. includ.
ing numerous members OF the General
Assembly, to call out the militia and de.
clare martial law over those Counties
where these acts of lawless violence
were being perpetrated. THE refused
to do, for reasons which then thought.
and still think, were judicious and pro-
per. 1 had ut my disposal but oompa.
rntively small militia force, composed
nearly altogether Of colored men, as this
class alone, with but few exceptions, had
offered themselves for enrolment and
organization, and they alone could be
relied on as loyal citizens. As an evi.
dence of this fact. would state that a
captain of militia company, composed
OF white men. in this city, having ap-
piled to me for ammunitioH, T asked
him il he would obey my orders as com.
mander-in-chief, in the event of an armed
collision arising from an attempt to en-
force the laws. to which he frankly re-
piled: sin case of difficulty, I will 20
with my race" He was told that it was
not question OF race, but question of
enforcement Of the laws against those
whc proposed to set them ct defiance.
The militia were, for the most part, un-
disciplined and unskilled in the use OF
arms, Tor they were reared under a sys.
tenn OF law which even forbade their
having fire-arm in their possession. ]
was convinced that il put into the field,
they would have been instantly con.
fronted and attacked by large body OF
veteran soldieTy, well Organized. and
equipped with the most improved arms,
aud forming part of vast organiza-
tion extending through adjacent States,
with which they had easy lines of com.
munication. In such conflict it was
evident that the militia would have been
beaten-either driven back or slaught.
cred. In that event, feared general
retaliation, which would have speedily
made the entire State the theatre of an
internecine war.
In such conflict, the opposition papers
and the Associated Press agents in this
State would have proclaimed to the
country that the State administration
had, for political purpose, inaugurated
''war of races" and even loyal men OF
both parties in the North, who have NO
sympathy with the perpetrators of these
unnatural crimes, would have been led
to believe that the contest here was one
between the NEGRO and the white man, u
instead OF being, as it is. an issue be-
tween the loyal friends Of the Govern.
ment and it's disloyal enemies.
Such an impression in the country
would have had peculiarly disastrous
effect upon the future Of the colored po.
pulation throughout the entire South.
In addition to these considerations. ]
thought. and still think, that it was the
paramount duty Of the Government oj
the United States to protect its loyal citi.
zens in the enjoyment of ''life, liberty
and the pursuit OF happiness.
The negro was slave by virtue of The
Constitution of the United States. BY
the Government Of the United States be
| was emancipeted and made free, Anne.
rioan citizen. The Government OF the
United States is, therefore, morally
bonnd to protect him in the full exercise
of his vested rights, and, if need be, tc
educate him to exercise those rights un
derstandingly, for he was kept in igno
rance pursuant to it's laws. II the Go.
vernmcnt of the United States fails
when necessary, to discharge this duty
then emancipation was political crime
and the negro is left to become the ODE
Gient tool or wretched victim OF the dis
loyal enemies of the Government, and
to suffer outrage because he is its friend
Moreover, viewed the use Of the mill
tary for the execution of the laws witt
extreme repugnance, and required thai
the civil authorities should first exhaust
their powers through the posse comilatus
In the following letter, addressed to the
Sheriff Of Fairfield County, and pub
lished for the information and guidsnc.
of peace officers in other Counties, on
joined upon the local Magistrates ane
peace officers of that County to act will
vigor, and, at all hazards, to bring these
criminals to justice, at least such of then
as were known, and where there was pro
per evidence on which O warrant coulC
issue:
"ExEcU"IvE DEPARTMENT..
COLUMBIA. May 2, 1871.
"1o tie Sheriff 9f Fairfield County
SIR: have been credlbly informed by
number OF citizens of Fairfield County
as we'll as by your own official communi
cation, that Oh the night of the goth ult.
n body Of armed men. in Disguise, rod.
into the town of Winnsboro, and left o
the houses OF several County officers
written paper, in which they were com
manded to resign, and threatened will
violence if they failed to obey. As yo'
: are the chief executive officer of tn
County, it is your duty to take measure
to ascertain and bring to justice thes
ma ,ked violators of the public peace
and, for this purpose, you shoul'
promptly invoke oil the resources whic
the law places at your disposal. In th
last resort, should the ordinary servic
of process prove inadequate to make tb
necessary arrests, by reason of an
armed combination, you will call out tn
posse con,itatus. which call, I have n
doubt will be responded to by all ooO