The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-12-19
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Tues lay Morning. December l0 1871
ohamberlain Dem.
.ng Oonspireoy-.How stsnds Hot

Attorney-6asnerai Chamberlain D.fln.
.ng Oonspirsoy--Hows stands Hot
As our ,ruadsrs know, The Attorney.
General of,South Carolina has excused
himself from his proper duties. and ia
associated with the United States Dis.i
trict Attorney in the prosecution Of ths:
citisshs Of this State now undergoing
trial under the Enforcement Act Of Oon
gress. Well did the Hon. Reverdy
johnson ask him whst brought him
there. and why was he not engaged in
the conrts of the State? The question
was pointed and telling. Nor did the
ready emile OF the State Attorney. Gen.
eral conceal from the observer the fact
that Mr.. Iohuson's arrow went home,
and still stands quivering on the po.
lished surface OF the arch deoeiver. '.No
kuight-errant was he," said Mr.. johnson.
We shall tell Mr.. johnson who this man
is. and what has brought him where he
stands with unblushing audaoity-a fu-
gitive from his own proper functions,
and danxious to escape from the wrath to
come. 1r
In the opening speech made by Attor-
ney-General Chamberlain for the prose-
cution, he defines conspiracy. Says he,
the self-oonvioted official. ''We will first
tell what conspiracy is. It is CON-
bination or agreement of two or more
persone. by concerted means, to do an
unlawful act. They may never commit
the overt act, but the crime is complete
when the agreement is made. or the
combination entered into. T beg that
you will carry along in your mind this
definition, and remember that no overt
act need be proved, but that the agree
ment, the breathing together. as it were,
to do the unlawful act, constitutes the
gist bf the offence" 4s' 'ttl 'ia''
Again he says: .tAnother important
consideration to be borne in mind is,
that the law regards all members OF q
conspiracy as one man. They think
with one mind, speak with one voice,
and strike with one arm; therefore, the
law has said that the words, acts and de.
claratiohs OF one are the words. acts and
declatasions Of all in carrying out the
object OF their combination"
We thank the State Attorney. General
for the definition. He has made his own
bed. he has dug his own pit. Thus
God works. He makes the wrong.doer
bring himself to justice makes the
wrong-dosr wing the very shaft that is
to pierce him to the heart. We cay to
the Attorney General. that just such a
conspiracy" as he has defined. in the
case of Mitchell, now on trial for con-
neotion with Ku K!uxisn. is he deemed
guilty Of in connection with the public
funds and, the finances of South Caro-
lima. '..i..s14-t N,ef. 7fti
We have made distinct charges against
him, all involving an infamous conspi-
raoy to defraud the people OF South Ca
rolinA. He cannot complain. II We hold
him guilty until he proves himself inno-
cent. In card published December 8.
1871. addressed to Us. you complain Of
the vague ind indefinite character Of the
charges made against you; and you say,
in conclusion: " Until. therefore, you can
make distinct charges. Ipr5sr to let my
character, no,o pretty toeA established in
This community, stand against all .your at
tacks:" sa' erf ~ Ht w j. ::
You, understand the meaning of wordss
If the above language means anything
at alls does it not mean that. upon the
making of distinct charges, you would
undertake your defence? Aud yet. al
though some time has elapsed since the
presentation of distinct charges against
you, you have been silent. Let us tell
you again that you cannot afford to be
silent against our attacks Let us tell
you, further, that your character is far
from being 80 we'll established here as
you seem tc imagine; and that, nnlea.
you do disprove the charges laid. at your
door. silence on your part will be deemed
the confession Of guilt. We repeat each
and every charge we have made: /. OF
connection with the Land Commission
swindle. 2. Of connection with the
bond and finance swindles Of the Finan.
oial Board; 8. Or gross criminal ne:
gleot OF duty as the State Attorney
General. 4."Of legal oomplioity with
the fraudulent drawing up Of the money
Acts OF the State Legislature, whereby
yon opened the door to FRAUD. s. OF
giving Parkeran opinion favoring FRAUD.
6. Cf the criminal retention of tho
faithless Kimpton in Office.
Thess are the charges wkich ws have