The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-30
BRAVE WORDS-FITLY SPOKEN.

With singular facility of expression,
characteristic Of the partisan Demo-
cratic press, Gov. Chamberlain, of South
Carolina, is the present subject of edi-
torial abuse, the country over. Gen.
Butler, at one time, enjoyed the en-
viable reputation of being the "best
abused" man in America, but now
Chamberlain receives, upon his devoted
head, the full walls of the Democratic
wrath Yet, less than six months ago,
the man, the mere mention of whose
name has the same effect upon the nerv-
Gus system of an average Democrat,
as a cardinal red handkerchief when
Haunted in the face of an unsocable
bull was the object of especial COM
mendaton and praise, simply because,
in tie honest discharge of his duties as
Governor he had the moral courage to
turn down several disreputable men in
the Republican party, prominent among
whom was Moses, Sr,' father of the
junior political patriarch, commonly
known as the "robber" Governor. So
popular was he with the Democrats of
South Carolina, so outspoken in his
praise as man, and in commentator
of his administration as Governor were
the Democratic newspapers, that some
misgiving was expressed in the North
as to his sincerity in his devotion to
the Republican cause. So unanimous
was public opinion in the State on the
subject of Chamberain's character, that
the Democrats, seeking to avail their
party of the strength of POPULAR can
didate, put his name before their own
nominating convention, and but for the
extraordinary efforts Of the bull-dozing
wing of the party, led by such charac-
tiers as Gen. Gary and NJ. c. Butler
of the Hamburg murder notoriety, he
would have received the support Of the
Democratic party of the State and had
but little opposition in his election. As
it was, Wade Hampton only received
six more votes than did Chamberlain,
but the nomination of Hampton being
made, the entire Democratic press of
the State, and "the party" as well,
changed front, and became as bitter in
their denunciations of Chamberlain as
before they We're warm in his defense
and support For his defeat the Rifle
clubs were at once organized and the
Mississippi policy inaugurated. The
history of the campaign in South Caro-
lima is the story of violated personal
rights and despised laws. Tilden and
Hampton was the party cry under
which unreconstructed and unrepent-
ant rebels undertook to break down
popular government in South Carolina.
Between them and the object of their
political persecution-the despised ne
gro voter,-stood Chamberlain, fear
less champion Of the principles he pro-
fessed, who resisted to the last moment
the gradually closing lines his enemies
were drawing around him. The timely
interference of the general Government
alone prevented the consummation of
the violence whereby his destruction
was threatened, and although harassed
on every side and attacked at every
point, he has, since his election as he
did before, bravely, firmly maintained
his ground An earnest, courageous
man, he refuses to apologize for being
in the right, and from the brave words
he utters, temporizing Republicans out
side of South Carolina, may draw fresh
courage to meet the brow-beatings and
denunciations heaped by desperate parti-
sans upon those who dare the defense
of the political principles they profess
We commend his words for the pluck
they display.
"There is no room for compromise here,
any more than there is between Tilden and
Hayes. There might be surrender, but
no compromise meaning mutual yield
ing of advantage, The Governorship was
the stragetic aim of both parties. That
office alone commanded the whole situa-
ton. The Governor said: 50 have no pur-
pose in holding my present position except
TO prevent the success of a great crime,
namely, the success of the Democratic
force. l despise the man who would not
fight for such cause, and have much
more respect for Gary and Butler than
have for Republicans who want to purchase
peace by coDsenting to recognize as valid
the apparent results of the late campaign.
1t is precisely like the conduct of the
Union savers from 1850 to 1860. They
were ready always to sacrifice for the Union
the very things the Union was formed to
secure, namely, liberty, justice, and good
government. just see, now; we hear
great deal about the sacred forms of law,
but very little about the sacred substance
of justice. do not intend to break the
law or overstep it, but do intend to ex-
haust all lawful remedies and defenses be-
fore l yield; and if have to choose be-
tween the letter and spirit of the law,
shall choose the spirit"