The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-25
Uslns the Military 10 Perpetuate

Y SNNttiS is tiS "'''>
aud civil power OF the Government,
both State and Federal, is unlawiu!iy
turned against the white people OF
! South Carolina. The President or
! the United States aud the Governor OF
South Carolina have each proclaimed
a state of i]usurrcction in this State,
and the Secretary of War has ordered
all the troops in the Atlantic States
to rendezvous at Columbia, subject to
the command of Gen. Kruger, who will
distribute them over the State. All
this merely because the white people
of the State have organized themselves
into Democratic clubs. Only this and
nothing more. Was there ever so
mean an advantage taken Of i political
opponent?
The 18th Regiment L. S. infantry
and several companies of artillery are
already in the State, and on the 18th of
this month II companies Of artil-
tillery, armed as infantry, left several
garrisons for Columbia. Batteries |
and l. left Boston harbor, and a bat
terry from Portland, are on their way
to Columbia. Company +, Third Ar
tillcry, stationed at Fort Ontario, has
been ordered to South Carolina, and
left that station, for this State, on
the 10Th. \ company had previously
been ordered from Fortress Monroe.
The only business these soldiers CAL
possibly haye here is to assist Cham
berlain in re-eiecting himself Govern
or..of the State.
It is useless to say that the Governor
has represented the political organiza-
tons Of this State to be organizations
of men armed to resist the laws of the
State. He knows that he has i'll
iured us, while lie and the Presi-
dent have each exceeded his author
ity in using the military OF the Unit
ed States to intimidate political adver-
saries, and to advance the interests of
their own political party.
The Legislature alone are authOriZ-
ed to call upon the President for
troops, unless in case of rebellion
when the members of the Legislature
are prevented from assembling in con
sequence of the armed Intervention Of
the people. There is now nothing
nor ever has been anything to prevent
the Legislature from assembling at
any time upon the call of the Govern
or. He knows that every single mem
her of the Legislature could be in Co
lumbia within three days after a pro-
c!amation to assemble. The truth is,
Governor Chamberlain has usurped
unwarranted powers and tramplcd on
our liberties aud slandercd the people
whose good name he should protect.
He knOwsthere were nc circumstances
of the public peace demanding the
proclamation, and no II knows bet
ter than he does, that the Legislature
would not endorse his act i'm issuing
it. This is the ouly reason he does
not assemble the Legislature.
There never was 4 time in the his
tory of this people, that their rulers
traduced them, until this Radical car
pet-buy Governor came from Massa-
chusetts to South Carolina. Since
he has removed the mask our people
are able to see him in all his de-
formity. Let every lover of his coun-
try redouble his energy in the effort to
free the State from the hand of the
rulers who would rob and traducc us.
We do not deserve the name Of South
Caro!inians if we allow this alien to
remain in power.
Weare ready for any sacrifice; we
are ready for any deeds of daring for
our country's sake. We mean no war
, with the authority of the State or of
the United States, but me mcan to
clcct new men to office in South Caro-
Hna. Our people are determined
upon this and all the soldiers OF the
Union will lot divert us from our fix
ed purpose. Mr.. Chamberlain may
call this treason if he chooses, but the
truth and the fact remain.
Governor Chamberlain who has so
long CONTROL ed his negro union
leagues, and by them has SO often rid
don into powerin South Carolina would
now call the soldiers Of the Union to
prevent the respectable white people
of the commonwealth of South Caro-
lima from organizing political clubs
in the interest Of democracy. Is this
not q despotism greater than any ever
before attempted upon any people on
the face of the globe?
Governor Chamberlain has virtually
proclaimed that it is treason for the
citizens of South Carolina to organize
Democratic clubs. Does he deny the
allegation? We have the proof.
The people Of Abbeville County
will, with greater energy. with more
determination, and at greater hazards
tnan ever before, work to GUST this
tyrant from Office, that we may place
at the helm a standard bearer worthy
of the Palmetto State.