The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1876-12-02
The SOUTH CAROLINA IMBROGLIO.

The legislature of South Carolina
assembled on Tuesday last under the
protection Of United States troops
While frantic Democratic editors are
bowling themselves hoarse over this
last startling outrage of the General
Government, the impartial and unbiased
reader of passing political events can
not but recognize the fact, that the pres
ence Of Federal bayonets at Columbia
was but the necessary and inevitable
sequel to the revolutionary acts and
proceedings of Mr.. Tilden's political
conspirators in South Carolina 1t is
true, that to the law-obeying and order
loving citizen the spectacle of legisla-
ture meeting under such circumstances
is not pleasant or gratifying. But let
the responsibility be placed where it
belongs, and let the disgrace of the oc-
cason attach to those to whom it is
justly attributable We believe that
Federal interference was never more
obviouslv necessary, or more fully justi-
fable: conclusion to be reached bv
fair and unbiased consideration of the
facts and circumstances that provoked
it.
What are the facts, plainly stated ?
BY the laws, as we'll as by the Consti-
tuition of the State of South Carolina,
the Board of State Canvassers is in
vested with the authority of counting
returns of elections, and in cases Of con-
test to decide, upon proper evidence
produced before it, all protests present
ed or issues raised touching the legality
or illegality Of the returns themselves
Two State officers only are excepted by
constitutional provision, the votes for
Governor and Lieutenant-Gov be-
ing canvassed by the legislature Thus
by "A regularly and lawfully constituted
Board. whose legal organization no one
not even the most unreasonable Demo
Gratis questioned, the election returns of
the State We're taken up and canvassed
except the votes Of the officers above
stated, and the Republican Presidential
electors found to he elected by varying
majorities. But unfortunately for Dem
cratic calculations and plans, well de-
vised and skilfuilv laid as they were,
protests were made by the Republicans
against the returns from two counties.
Edgeheld and Laurens, upon the ground
that the election therein was null and
void on account of frauds perpetrated
and intimidations practiced by the hot
headed adherents of Wade Hampton
Satisfactory and ample proof was pro
duced before the Board of every charge
Of fraud raised by the protesting Re
publicans; whereupon fifty-nine Repub-
licans and ffty-six Democrats were
declared elected to the House of Dele
gates, and to whom certificates of cleo
ton were duly issued by the Secretary
of State But the Democrats of South
Carolina had determined that Hampton
should succeed Gov. Chamberlain at all
hazards. Besides, Hampton himself
had so sworn it. But by what process,
by what means? An obliging and sub
servient Supreme Bench was at hand.
The majesty Of the law was invoked in
the persons of two, at least, of its
weightiest xponents-Moses and Will
lard, upon whose devoted judicial heads
the Democracy not only of South Caro-
lima, but of the country at large had in
times past heaped every opprobrous
epithet. Thereupon were witnessed
such court proceedings as have no par
allel in the judicial history of the coun-
try. The purpose of which was to null
lily the authority of the Returning
Board and set at defiance the laws of