The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-10-19
Moultrie's magic Pageant -Govornol
Chamberlain and tho Rifle Clubs.

! Moultrie's "Magic Pageant Governor
j Chamberlain and tho Rifle Clubs.
AT the first glance tho inconsis-
tenoy and tho 1mpudonco Of the
order for the tlisbanding of the
Rifle Clubs arc not fully apparent.
Only when the previous conduct of
Governor Chamberlain is recalled.
does the absurdity of his present
course become evident.
Section II, Chapter is, Of the
Revised Statutes of South Carolina,
after directing That the organized
militia shall be divided in division, &c,
contains proviso in these words
| "Provided, that there shall be
no military organizations, or formu-
tions for the purpose Of nr,ning,
drilling, exercising the manual Of
arms, or military manmnvrcs, not
authorized under this Cnapter, and
6y the Conamantlcr-u- Chiet,," &c.
Governor Chamberlain, in his
proclamation, says: "And wnere"sit
has been made known to n,c as
Governor that certain organizations
and combinations, of men exist in ali
the counties of the State, commonly
known rs Rifle Clubs and whereas
such organizations and combinations
Of men are illegal and strictly for
bidden by the laws of this State"
On Wednesday. 2Sth June, 1876,
parade occurred in Charleston, at
which all the Riho Clubs of the city
were present, and marched through
the streets. The newspapers Of the
noXt day, in speaking of tho parade,
mention the fact that in the line Of
tho parade were carriages with Gen.
j. b. Kcrshaw, Governor Chlnhe.-
lain, &c. They also mention the
fact that, on tae parade in rear Of
Fort MDultric, Sullivan's Island,
''Mnjor Ct. Lamb Buist, Of the Pal
mctto Guard, then introduced Gov
crnor D. Fl. Chamberlain, who, in
behalf OF tao Stlto. cX!oa.lcd II wei
come to the VISITORS" &. 1t fur
thor mentions that, at M,ior W. }.
GayeI's residence. after Governor
Chambcrlains address before the
Rifle Clubs, "Am"ny the distinguish
oil guests present wds Governor
Chamberlain. Also, "the members
Of the Charleston Rihcmon, who had
been dining i'll the pilZz,, marched
up to the door Of the dlning.ro0m
ana gave three cheers and Tiger for
Governor Chamberlain. The Gov
crnor acknowledged the com
| pliment," &c "Tnis compliment
from the Mti&cn-so!Ilier& n Cha,3e$-
ton to II man who WAS not u South
Carolini II WAS especially gratifying,
and it ncrvcd him to Say that he
'could plcf'ge himseT'to support Mut
sandidote for Gore"unr GfMc Hta'e
aoho shomd c0rp'y tic du,.ner nfrr-
torn'." And finally the fact is stat d
that, on that night at Ilibcrnian
II vi, where the Palmetto Rife Club
en:ertuncl their guests, Major q.
l.. Buist presided. On his right
hand was Gon. Wade Hampton, and
on his left WAS Governor D. II.
Chamberlain. The Chairman then
announced tho second toast, The
State of South Carolina, and called
upon Governor Chamberlain to re-
spond, Governor Chamberlain WAS
warmly greotod. Ho said 'Hc
would notadl to the swelling words
Of patriotism which stirred the
hearts of pn.riots today, on To tie
magic puye~"t mtich mptle an
s'cei/s with honor as they mit,.cssc,z
IL this morniny. IHe influence
und .treiimys still remain im o,u
hc0ris to might.'
A large number Of Rino Clubs,
therefore, existed at that time, and
Governor Chamberlain participated
in their public parade, with arms
in their hands, drilling, oxcr-
cising tho manual of arms and per
forming military mAn@uvros he
publicly addressed them, not once,
but several times, and as citizen
soldiers Of Charleston. It isscarce-
ly possible to conceive q moro pub.
JIG and avowed recognition Of their
legality, or moro plainly to ovincc
that they were performing these
various acts with his knowledge,
assent and coneent, and conse.
| CIuCntlY wore authorized Nv hin,