The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-01-18
The Sumter Watchman has By
far the largest circulation (espe-
cia7zy IN the surrounding country)
of any paper published IN Sumter,
and acas established aaa 1850.
OUR INTERNAL DIFFICULTIES.

Several of the upper counties Of the
State continue to be corvulsed with iu
ternal discord aud strife, aud deeds Of
blood, the most shocking-at which hu-
manity stands aghast-continue to be
perpeirated.
We had hoped that, the excitement
of the election over, peace and quiet
would be restored to our distracted State,
and something like law and order pre-
vail. The responsibility for the failure
of the country to realize this desirable
and desired condition, aud for the pre-
sent unfortunate state Of affairs, if We do
Justice to the truth, We must put at the
door of the State authorities-the Gov
ernmeut of the State itself. This seems
high and grave charge. since the pow
er and authority Of Law is welded
through the machinery of the State
Government, aud this, first and last,
from its creation aud design, should be
the conservative power ofthe State, sup
pressing violence asd encouraging order
and peace.
In looking for the immediate causes
Of the present strife and blood, what are
the facts that come up to view? Is not
the whole of it the result Of the "Win.
chester Rife Policy" inaugurated in
order to carry the late elections? With
this view, the colorcd people were armed
as the militia Of the State. The whites
we're denied arms and organization as
such. Hence, and necessarily. Initiating
the former with the idea that the control
of matters was in their hands. This
fragrant act of partiality, between tws
races, such as inhabit this soil, aud
1
under the extraordinary and unnatural
circumstances which attend their exist
ence here, could but breed disturbance
Outbreak was the natural and almost
irresistible result CT such policy. Such
an advantage and such power, put in
the hands Of race but as yesterday
turned loose from slavery. necessarily
ignorant, comparatively devoid ofrcason
and discretion, and taking counsel Of
the baser passions excited BY the teach.
ings of the more intemperose Of their
lenders could but produce acts Of hos
tility, and outrage, aud murder. Aud it
could not be expected that the white
race would quietly submit TO the chaGng
and calling yoke thus placed upor them.
And we do not hesitate to say, however
much and deeply we deprecate these
shocking tragedies, that they wouldhave
been unworthy their name and heritage,
had they quietly submitted. Let there
be 'qua1ity in the administration ofthe
affairs Of the Governmcui-let there be
no effort to fetter aud crush and destroy
the influence Of thc white race, in its
juxta-position with the colored race,
and We will not hesitate 10 lift our voice
IN terms of unineasured condemnation
pf every act on the part Of the whites,
which may cycu be in retaliation for
outrages from the other side. But this
rqualiy aud mparttaiity must not only
be proclaimed, but established and rrac-
t;ced on the part Of the Executive
authorities Of the State, before We can
hope for better state of affairs. The
white citizens of South Carolina never
can and never will be tyrannized over
BY negroes with impuuity. And blood
sill contiuae to flow, and violations Of
law aud outrage upon person and
property continue 20 &c committed,
despite all the Influences Of the law
| loving and law abidiug. and even chris
tan sentiment of the country, until a
different cuudiion Of things is wrought