The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1871-06-01
A Bit of History.

The passage of the Ku KluX BILL embodylng
as its most prominent and most dangerous lea
ture the suspension of the writ of ha6eas corpus
in such places and at such times as the fresl,
dent may choose to dictate, recalls historical
incident which, though frequently alluded to,
loses none of its significance by familiarity.
We mean the prediction uttered by Henry
| Parliament, in 1888. This statesman possessed
sufficient foresight to see the inevitable result
of the coercive measures employed by the Eng
lish government against the American colonies !;
urged the withdrawal of the military forces,
and the prompt redress of those grievances OF
which the cOlOnists complained. In short,
Sherburne was in favor OF peace rather than
war, and throughout the bitter struggle OF seven
years was q firm, consistent and Judlclous
friend Of those immortal rebels whose wisdom
and. courage gave us at last place among tue
nations of the earth. Sometime in 1870 the
Continental Congress sent Col. Henry Lau-
rens of South Carolina as diplomatic agent to
Europe hoping through his efforts to secure
the alliance, or at least the good will OF the
Continental powers. On his voyage out Lau-
rens was captured by an English ship OF war,
carried to London and confined in the grim old
Tower which has been the scene of so many
great events, of SO much heroic suffering, OF SO
many political martyrdoms. Here no remain
ed until hostilities closed, and being then re.
leased, became for a brief period the guest OF
Mr.. Sherburne, whose acquaintance he had
formed during captivity. Of course the future
prospects of the young republic was the subject
of much of their conversation, and one day
while this theme was being discussed by the
enthusiastic patriot and his calmer and more ex-
perienced friend, the latterremarked: "Colonel,
you have gained your Independence and you
know how much L have contributed to that re-
suit; but after all seriously doubt whether in
the end it will be fortunate for you." Laurens
looked at the speaker inquiringly, and Sher-
burne proceeded to explain the difficulties which
lay in the way of establishing proper govern
ment, the innovations which would gradually
creep into the SYSTEM undermine its vital pfin-
ciples, and finally destroy the fabric alto
gether. "For instance" said he, Nthere is the
great writ of ha6cas corpus which has cost the
people of England so much blood and treasure
tages, and the absolute necessity of guarding
them with the utmost vigilance. But hsbeds
corpus has cost you nothing; it is q partofyour
birth-right, and never having had to fight forit,
you Will not and cannot prize it sufficiently,
and as natural consequence, on the first occa-
sion of trouble or violent party strife you will
lose it." Laurens endeavored to convince his
companion that his views were erroneous, and
that Americans above all other people, would
never allow this corner stone of personal liber-
tyto be tampercd with on any pretext. Sher-
burne smiled, but made no reply.
Only little more than three-quarters of a
century have gone since then, and the predic--
ton is fulfilled to the letter. Lincoln and
Stanton, under the specious plea of military
necessity, destroyed the sanctity of the writ,
and, so far as it was possible, made il contemp-
tible in the eyes of the people. When the De-
mocracy protested against this fatal precedent
they were told that war justified the step, and
that when peace returned again. ;-the venerable
bulwark Of freedom would regain its former
prestige and retain it forever. How stands the
the question to-day? Congress has just con-
ferred upon the President of the United States
the power to suspend the writ of habeps corpus
whenever and wherever he pleases, and this un-
limited, absolutely despotie authority is lodged
in his hands until after Presidential election
occurs in which he is already known to be q
candidate I Was there ever such suicidal folly,
such fanatical blindness, such criminal reckless
ness as this? And how long may people who
patiently submit to such deliberate robbery of
their dearest rights, expect TO enjoy q single
vestige of that priceless liberty which their
fathers won ?-Pennsylvani argus.