Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1874-12-17

I regret to say that with the preparations TO!
the late election, decided indications appeared
in some localities in the Southern States OF q
determination, by acts of violence and lntlml'
dation, to deprive citizens of the freedom OF the
ballot, because of their political opinions
Bands of men, masked and armed, made
their appearance, white leagues and other so,
cieties were formed, quantities OF arms and
ammunition imported and distributed to these
organizations, military drills, with menacing
demonstrations, were held, and with all these
murders enough we're committed to spread
terror among those whose actions were to be
suppressed, if possible, by these criminal pro-
ceedings. In some places colored voters were
compelled to vote according to the wishes OF
the employer, under threats of discharge II
they acted otherwise, and there were too many
instances in which, where threats were disre-
garded, they were remorselessly executed by
those who made them. understand the 18th
amendment to the constitution was made to
prevent this and like state Of things, and
the Act of May 81, 1870, with amendments,
was passed to enforce its provisions, the object
of both being to guarantee to all citizens the
right to vote and to protect them in the en-.
joyment of that right. Enjoined by the con-
stitution "to take care that the laws be faith
fully executed and convinced by undoubted
evidence that violations of said Act have been
committed, aud that widespread disregard of
it was contemplated, the proper officers were
instructed to prosecute the offenders, and
troops were stationed at convenient points to
aid the officers, if necessary, in the perform
ance of their official duties. Complaints are
made of their interference by federal author
ty, but if said amendment and act do not
provide for such interference under the cir
cumstances as above, then they are without
meaning, force or effect. and the whole scheme
of colored enfranchisement is worse than
mockery and little better than crime Pos
sibly Congress may find it due to truth and
Justice to ascertain by means of committee,
whether the alleged wrongs to colored citizens
for political purposes are real, or the reports
thereof are manufactured for the occasion.
The whole number of troops in the States of
Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, Florida, South
Carolina, North Carolina, Kentucky, Tennes-
see, Mississippi, Maryland and Virginia, at
the time of the election, we're 4,0S2. This
embraces the garrisons of all forts from the
Delaware to the Gulf of Mexico.
Another trouble has arisen in Arkansas.
Article 13 of the constitution of the State,
which was adopted in 1868, and upon the ap-
proval of which, by Congress, the State was
restored to representation as one of the States
of the Union, provides in effect, that before
any amendments proposed to this constitution
shall become part thereof, they shall be
passed by two successive assemblies and then
submitted to and ratified by a majority Of
electors of the State. On the 18th of May,
1874, the Governor convened an extra session
of the general assembly Of the State, which,
on the 18th of the same month passed an act
providing for convention to frame new
constitution. Pursuant to this act, and at an
election on the 30th of June, 1874, the con.
vention was approved and delegates chosen
thereto, who assembled on the 18th of last
July and formed new constitution, the sched-
ule of which provided for the election of an
entire new set of State officers in manner
contrary to the then existing laws, on the 18th
of Octo ber, 1874. This constitution, as there
in provided, was submitted to the people for
their approval or rejection, and according to
the election returns was approved by large
majority of those qualified to vote thereon,
and at the same election persons were chosen
to fill all the State, county and township off,
ces. The Governor elected in 1872 for the
term of four years, turned over his office to the
Governor chosen under the new constitution,
whereupon the Lieutenant Governor, also
elected in 1872 for term of four years, claim.
ing to act as Governor, and alleging that said
proceeding by which new constitution was
made and new set of officers elected, were
unconstitutional and void, and called upon me
as provided in section 4th, article 4th, of the
constitution, to protect the State against do
mestc violence. AS Congress is now investi-
eating political affairs there, I have declined
to interfere. The whole subject of executive
interference with the affairs of the States is
repugnant to republican opinion, to the feel
ings of those who from their official capacity
must,be used in such interposition, and to him
or those who must direct. Unless clearly on
the side of law, such interference becomes a
crime. With the law to support it it is con.
demned without hearing. | desire therefore
that all necessity for executive direction in
local affairs may become obsolete. I invite
the attention, not of Congress, but Of the peo-
pie of the United States, to causes and effects
of these unhappy questions. Is there not q
disposition on one side to magnify wrongs and
outrages, and on the other side to belittle them
or justify them? Ifpublic opinion could be
directed to correct survey Of what it is, and
to rebuking wrong and aiding the proper au'
thorities in Furnishing it, better state of feel
ing would be inculcated, and the sooner we
would have that peace which would leave
States free to regulate their own affairs. l
believe, on the part of our citizens of the
Southern States-the better part of them
there is a..disposition to be law-abiding, and to
do no violence to individuals or to the laws ex-
isting, but do they do right in ignoring the ex-
istence of violence and bloodshed in resistance
of authority? sympathize with their pros
trate condition, and would do all in my power
to relieve them, acknowledging that in some
cases they have had most trying governments
to live under, and very oppressive ones, in the
way of taxation for nominal improvements,
not giving benefits equal to the hardships i'm
posed, but can they proclaim themselves ire
sponsible for this condition They cannot.
Violence has been rampant in some locali-
ties, and has either. r.been justified or denied, by
those who could have prevented it. The theo-
ry is even raised that there is to be no further
interference on the part of the general govern
ment to protect the citizens within the State,
where the State authorities fail to give protec-
ton. This is great mistake.
While I remain executive, all the laws of
Congress and the provisions of the Constitu.
tion, including the recent amendments added
thereto, will be enforced with rigor, but with
regret that they should have added one jot or
title to the executive duties or powers. Let
there be fairness in the discussion of Southern
questions the advocates of both or all politi-