The tribune. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1874-1876, 1876-01-05
THE PUBLIC VOICE

The mass meeting held in Charleston
ON the evening of Dec. 2Sth gave the
citizens of the metropolis of the State
chance ''to cxpr, SIS their approval of the
wise, manly and patriotic action of
Governor Chamberlain in relation to the
judicial election" and we'll did they
avail themselves of the opportunity
afforded, to give him the assurance that
tlley would "steadfastly and faithfully
support him in his efforts to secure to
the people of the State an honest govern
ment and pure administration of the
law"
The class..of men who were present
and the words uttered by the speakers
ought to convince the robbers that COM
poses :he majority cf the Assembly that
thc time has come for change in the
management cf public affairs in the
Legislative department.; the fools who are
well represented in that body will not
he convinced until overwhelmed bv the
destruction of which their madness is
the forerunner. We regret that our
limited space prevents our giving at
length the admirable platform and resol-
ntions adopted by the meeting, bnt the
following tcrse sentences show the spirit
If .hc whole:
"The foundation of society is pure
Judiciary. and its corruption, or perver-
sion TO evil purposes, destroys the last
hope of securing to people protection
ard liberty.
The action cf the legislature in elect
ing, as Judges, W.. Whippcr and F. J.
Moses, Jr., men whose proper place in
courthouse is tie criminals dock, is an
insult to every honest citizen and "a
violation of every safeguard which the
law affords to life, liberty and property.
We recognize in the. recent Judicial
elections the asccndency and control Of
the worst clements of the pslitical party
which governs the State. Under such
condition of things, law ceases to pro-
tect, ard Government itself becomes the
oppressor.
We protest against the continuance in
office of Legislators so regardless of duty
. and SO reckless of the character, the
peace and the prosperity of the State,
and we will use every EFFORT to drive
them from power"
Mr. j. Adger smythc, Col. Pressly
stand Others spoke in support of the resol-
tions and the second named gentleman,
: who is prominent lawyer gave it as
the opinion Of eminent members of the
bar that in refusing to sign the commits.
alons of Whlpper and Moses the Govern.
or had taken n perfectly legal stand and
that "if the legislature, in searching for
plunder, attempted to place others in the
places of Judges Reed and Shaw, it was
the duty Of the Governor-it was his con.
st;.G.ional duty-to refuse them their
commissions" he concluded his very
acceptable speech by saying "The time
has come for action. There must be no
mental reservations, when we say we will
stand by Governor Chamberlain. We
mean it as our fathers meant it when
they pledged their lives, theil fortunes
and their sacred honor; and I see by your
responses and in your faces that this is
what you all mean by it. Stand up for
your civilization, yoar property, your
lircs and your honor"
1t is very gratifying to know that the
words uttered in Charleston find N echo
ing response in every corner of the
United States; that the press throughout
the land condemn the. reprehensible
action Of the Assembly and cxtol the
course adopted by the Governor in the
unfortunate emergency. =