The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-10-12

in all the counties of the State, which are
engaged in promoting illegal objects and
in committing open acts of lawlessness
and violence, and he has threatened to
declare martial law and to suspend the
writ of habcas corpus.
The charges preferred by Governor
Chamberlain against the citizens Of the
State are as false and libelous as his
threatened usurpatlon Of power is tyran-
nical and unwarranted and his extraor-
dinary proclamation can be explained
only upon the assumption that Governor
Chamberlain, with a similar disregard of
law and of fact, is determined to resort
to the most extreme measures to prevent
the otherwise certain defeat of himself
and his corrupt party.
There have been disturbances in Aiken
County, non-political in their character.
They have long since ceased. All the
parties for whom warrants we're issued
have promptly surrendered themselves to
the law. Perfect peace and the pro-
foundest quiet prevail. No armed com
binations hinder the processes of the
courts, and the Republican County Con-
vention last week held continuous
session of two days without molestation.
The disturbances in Bernwell were Re-
publican in their origin, beginning in the
resistance, by an armed band of negroes,
of the arrest of robber for whom war
rant had been duly issued. This band
tore up railroad, wrecked train, fired
upon and wounded the Sheriff of the
county, and were dispersed by so-called
armed band of whites who had been duly
summoned by the Sheriff as posse, with
the sanction of the Judge Of the Court
then in session. This posse after per-
forming their duties quietly dispersed.
So far from opposing the law, the whole
people desire the prompt despatch OF
business in the courts, aud the enforce
ment of the law by the civil arm.
The white people throughout the State
have volunteered their services to the
Governor to maintain the law, and he
has refused them in q libelous commune
cation, intended solely to furnish pre-
text for the introduction Of Federal
troops, to be placed under the control of
irresponsible and unscrupulous officials,
to overawe the people and control the
election.
The Democratic nominees in seventeen
of the thirty-two counties in the State
have held meetings, attended by thou
sands of citizens of both races and parties.
The Republicans have held meetings
when and where they pleased, and not q
single act of violence has yet occurred.
On the 18th ultimo, the Democratic
Executive Committee invited the Repub-
lican canvassers to a joint discussion at
their meetings. This invitation was re-
newed on the 2Sth ultimo, and accepted
by the Republican Executive Committee
on the 5th instant, upon the usual terms.
The proclamation of the Governor is
utterly at variance with the action of the
Executive Committee of his own party.
The latter acquiesces in free discussion.
The former in effect suppresses debate
and substitutes armed force for free
speech.
We assert earnestly, with q full sense
of our responsibility, that no condition
of things exists in the State which justi-
fies so extraordinary proceeding on the
part of Governor Chamberlain. Its sole
object is to irritate and provoke collis-
ions, which may be the excuse for an
appeal to the administration of the
United States to garrison the State. We
shall counsel our people to preserve the
peace, obey the laws and calmly await
the day of their deliverance from this
wanton despotism.
To the people of the United States we
submit our wrongs, confidently relying
on their wisdom and justice to rebuke
this daring attempt to regulate the ballot
by the bayonet and crush the liberties Of
people.
T. B. FRASER,
JOHN BRATTON,
J. D. KENNEDY,
J. A. HOYT,
R. O'NEALE, JR.,
State Democratic Executive Committee