Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-04-08

from one cause to another, as the tide OF Vlcto-
~ ebbed and flowed, for the different contend
ing parties. Edward, Earl of Clarendon, the
first named in the Letters Patient" granted
to the proprietors of South Carolina, once was'
a supporter of Cromwell. Now ne was tine
right trusty and we'll beloved COUSIN OF
Charles the Second. Socially and morally
the atmosphere of England had, by so many
and so long civil wars, become polluted.
Good and pious men Of all creeds were, at
heart, sick of the immortality of the times.
They longed for some sequestered spot where,
undisturbed they could pursue the avocations
of life and worship God according to the die,
tates of their own consciences. In England
there were multitudes Of individuals whose
presence was source of annoyance, tear, ana
dread to the crown. 1t was no doubt tet
that whilst these persons remained IN the
kingdom, the existence of the crown was pre-.
carious. Hence, it was thought wise to open
up some channel by which these suspected
persons might, of their own free will, leave
the kingdom. Others, in one way and another,
had experienced great pecuniary reverses and
lost their caste, and were reduced to that state
of recklessness which impelled them to 60 to
any quarter of the globe, and with the adhe-
rents of any party or advocates Of any creed,
with no other expectation than to repair their
ruined fortunes and afterward return to their
native land.
France, as we'll as England, contributed to
the settlement of South Carolina. In the
reign of Henry the Fourth, twenty-five years
after the memorable St. Bartholomew massa-
ere, an edict was passed at Nantes, which
guaranteed to the Huguenots the rights OF
citizens, and partially put stop to the perse'
cutions which had been waged against these
people. 1t was however, but momentary
lull in the storm. The Huguenots were
slumbering on the edge of yawning whlrl-
pool, whose deceptive waters were only sleep.
ing, that they mi ght rage and foam with wild
and cruel violence, never before known.
In the year 1856, in the reign Of Louis the
Fourteenth, the edict Of Nantes was revoked,
and the worst passions Of men turned loose,
unbridled and unrestrained. The Huguenots
were slaughtered by the thousands. The trials
and difficulties through which they were
called to pass, beggar description: Those
who could, fled from their native handsome
to one place and some to another A few, but
a noble few, made their way to South Caroll-
ma, and Joined the colony planted by the
English. Ireland and Scotland, also contrib
uted to the early settlers. Not only Europe
sent out colonists, but, as will be noticed more
particularly in the proper place, emigrants
came from Virginia and Pennsylvania. All,
whether they came from Europe or the other
American colonies, came in search of quiet
home. Those who came from Europe, had
fled from persecution on account OF their re-
ligion. Those or at least many of them,
who came from the other American colonies,
had fled from the hostilities Of the red men.
In truth, may it be said, that as was truewlth
regard to the other States, South Carolina
was settled by the oppressed of Europe,
A knowledge of the political and ecclesIas'
tical condition of England and France, gives
us an idea of the peculiar liberal features of
the charter granted by Charles the Second:
We can hardly suppose that he was moved
wholly by motives of honesty, in being so
gracious. In fact, the peculiar features of
the Fundamental Constitution" as the laws
of the colony were called, were due to the
liberal mind Of the celebrated philosopher,
John Locke. Anthony Ashley Cooper wasa
great man, and, perhaps, more liberal in his
views than any of the other proprietors; but
even he was guided and directed by Locke,
who was his secretary. When we take a
survey of all the attending circumstances, we
are prepared to conclude that the main reason
why the charter granted by the King to the
proprietors, and the Fundamental Constltu-
ton" of the proprietors was so liberal, was
simply necessity. In no other way could
colony be planted. This, no doubt, was due,
rather to the foresight of Locke and Ashley
Cooper, than to the wisdom of any other per-
sons. 1t may be said that Locke and the
Earl did the work, and it reflects their views.
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