Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1876-10-19

exercise OF the electlVe 1raDchlse e3-
listed in that couuty,and no complaint
charging the existence of such or
eanizations had been made to them.
The same is true Of each and every
county in this circuit. The only
case Of political intimidation that has
transpired in this circuit was tried at
York on last Thursday, the defendant
being one Edward Mcdonald, color
ed, charged with threatening the life
of one Henry Lowry, also colored,
because he had joined a Democratic
club, and had declared his purpose
to vote the Democratic ticket. The
Jury consisted of six Republican col
ored citiz rs and six white men, one
of whom is also an avowed RepubIi-
can. The prisoner was ably defended
by W.iB. Williams, Esq, himself a
candidate on the Democratic ticket.
The Jury were charged by me that
they we're sole judges of the evidence,
and that the guilt of the prisoner
must be established beyond reasona-
Bile doubt to warrant a conviction.
They rendered verdict Of guilty,
and 1 sentenced the prisoner to three
monts in jail--the lowest penalty
prescribed by law for the offense. 1
have traversed many counties in the
State canvassing for Hayes and
Wheeler, and in favor Of Chamber
lain for Governor during the past
sixty days, and I have nowhere seen
an attempt on the part of any portion
of the population to suppress the
right of free speech by armed VIC,
lence. l solemny protest against the
proclamation of Governor Chamber
lain as absolutely false in so far as it
imputes to the inhabitants within the
limits Of this circuit any purpose to
obstruct the ordinary course OF jadi-5
cial proceedings or to resist in any
manner the due execution OF the laws
for the protection Of life, property or
the rights of citizenship, and I have
good and sufficient reasons to believe
and do believe that the said procla-
nation is equally false in imputing
such insurrectionary purpose to the
white population in the other circuits
of this State I regard the procia-
nation as symbolizing Gtly formida
BILE conspiracy against the rights OF
the people, having for its object he
carrying Of this State for D. II. Clam
berlain and his C ndidates, which
conspiracy is further typihed by
Board of State Cauvassers, or Elec-
ton Returning Board, the majority
of whose members are candidates on
Chamberlain's ticket, and by ninety
six Commissions of Election in the
several counties, seventy Of whom
are Chanberlain's declared partisans,
and Of which last number forty are
County Treasurers and Auditors or
Trial Justices, holding lucrative Off
ces by his appointment, and remova-
bic from the Office at his pleasure, or
are known t. him as declared candi-
dates for Office endorsing his ticket,
who uuseat themselves if they make
a declal alton of the election which
SEATS : the=esEdidatss opposed to Cham
berlain and his ticktt. The rifle clubs
that he has ordered disbanded are in
the main organizations chartered un-
der the act.of the Republican Legis-
lature in 1874, and all Of them are
acting but in the assertion of the
rights of the people to keep and bear
arms, guaranteed against infringe
mant in the second article Of amend
ments to the constitution Of tie United
States, and all assert their loyalty to
the Union, and obedience to its laws,
and respect and uphold its flag.
T. J. MAcKEY,
Judge of the Sixth Judicial Circuit of
South Carolina.
Judge T. H. Cooke, Republican,
writes:
COLUMBIA, S. c., Oct. 7, 1876.
Colonel 4. G. HASKELL, Chairman Of
the Erecutive Committee Of the
Democratic Party.
DEAR SIR: I have just read the
proclamation of Governor Chamber
lain as to a reign Of terror in this
State and inability to enfore the laws
through the ordinary channel, and
must say that the causes alleged for
issuing the same do not apply to the
Eighth Circuit, over which ! preside.
Nor do I believe they have any exis.-
toooo oc r. ,,, oI1,o,, ,,f,cfion cf thn