The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-12
Governor Chamberlain'S Proclamation.
ADDRESS TO THE PEOPLE OF THE
UNITED STATES.
CORRESPONDENCE WITH RE-
PUBLICAN JUDGES.
STATE OF SOUTH CAROLINA,

EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
Whereas it has been made known to
me, by written and sworn evidence, that
there exist such unlawful distractions,
combinations and assemblages of persons
in the Counties of Aiken and Barnwell,
that it has become impracticable, in my
Judgment as Governor of the State, to
enforce by the ordinary course ofjudicial
proceedings the laws of the State within
said counties; by reason whereof, it has
become necessary, in my Judgment, as
Governor, to call forth and employ the
military force of the State to enforce the
faithful execution Of the laws;
And whereas it has been made known
to me as Governor that certain organiza-
tions and combinations of men exist in
all the counties of the State, commonly
known as "Rife Clubs;
And whereas such organizations and
combinations of men are illegal and
strictly forbidden by the laws of this
State;
And whereas such organizations and
combinations of men are engaged in pro-
noting illegal objects and in committing
open acts Of lawlessness and violence;
Now, therefore, I, Daniel 81. Chamber
lain, Governor of said State, do issue this,
my proclamation, as required by the 18th
Section of Chapter 1872 of the General
Statutes of the State, commanding the
said unlawful combinations and assem-
biages of persons in the Counties OF
Aiken and Barnwell to disperse and re-
tire peaceably to their homes within
three days from the date of this procla-
nation, and henceforth to abstain from
all unlawful interference with the rights
of citizens and from all violations of the
public peace.
And I do further, by this proclamation,
forbid the existence of all said organiza-
tions or combinations of men commonly
known as "Rife Clubs" and all other or
CARNATIONS or combinations of men or
formations, not forming part of the Or
ganized militia of the State, which are
armed with firearms or other weapons OF
war, or which engage or are formed tor
the purpose of engaging in drilling, exer-
cising the manual of arms or military
maneuvrcs, or which appear or are
formed for the purpose of appearing
under arms or under the command of
officers bearing the titles or assuming the
functions of ordinary military officers, or
in any other manner acting or proposing
to act as organized and armed bodies OF
men; and I do command all such organ
izations, combinations, formations or
bodies of men forthwith to disband and
cease to exist in any place or under any
circumstances in the State.
And l do further declare and make
known by this proclamation, to all the
people of this State, that in case this
proclamation shall be disregarded for the
space of three days from the date thereof,
l shall proceed to put into active use all
the powers with which as Governor am
invested by the constitution and laws of
the State for the enforcement of the laws
and the protection Of the rights of the
citizens, and particularly the powers con-
ferred on me by Chapter CXXXII ofthe
General Statutes of the State, as we'll as
by the Constitution of the United States.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set
my hand and caused the great seal
r.. S. of the State to be affixed, at Co.
lumbia, this 7th day of October,
A. D. 1876, and in the 101st year
of American independence.
BY the Governor:
D. H. CHAMBERLAIN.
H. E. HAYNE, Secretary of State.