Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1876-11-02

the white people Of the State are hos
tile to the colored people, or have any
design or disposition to abridge or in
fringe their political or civil rights. On
the contrary, in their conventions and
In speeches of their candidates for six
years OF more, the most public and SOL
emn pledges have been given that all
rights Of the colored people shall be re-
spected and protected. The eolored
people should know that these pledges
will be faithfully kept. ~ -
1t is not true that the few rife clubs
in the State are combinations Of men
against the law, or that they sre en-
gagged in numbering some peaceable cit.
izens and intimidating others, or that
they cannot be controlled or suppressed
by the ordinary course OF justice. The
President has been deceived. These
clubs existed with the knowledge and
recognition Of the Governor. Not one
Of them ever acted in defiance of law
or against the government or the con-
stituted authorities. The hostility to
them Of Gov. Chamberlain and his coad-
tutors is recent. 1t Is political and is
designed to affect the coming election.
1t is not true that in the recent race
collisions the white people have been
the aggressors. Their tore arance, a.
IN the Charlestown riot. the unprovoked d
Cainhoy massacre. and still more re-
cent assassination oi a white citizen in
Edgeheld, has been wonderful. The
truth is that the leaders OF the colored
people. fearing that the day OF their
power is drawing to a close, have ex-
cited their ignorant dupes, have sup
piled them with arms. have aroused
their fears for the loss of their liberty, and
have thus encouraged them to commit
deeds OF violence. We may also affirm
some things which are true.
1t is true that there is in the State a
most active. earnest and excited cam
vass to overthrow corrupt rule and re-
establish honest State government.-
This is legitimate and lawful object,
which should command the sympathy
and support OF every lover Of his coun-
try. II Is not treason to defeat Cham
berlain, nor is it insurrection or do
me>tic violence to elect Hampton.
II Is true that while white rifle clubs
are ordered by the Governor and the
President to disband and d,sperse, the
colored militia Of the State are allowed
to remain in organization and in posses
sion Of their arms. and attend political
meetings in military order with rifles
and other arms. The object Of this
discrimination is as obvious as is the
comparatively defenseless condition in
which it places the white population
We simply ask what would the people
of New York or Massachusetts, think or
do upon like application of the bayo-
net policy to them under such circum-
stances:
Fellow-countrymen: We have sought
to place before you briefly and in their
true colors the condition of South Car
DINA. the wrongs Of her people, their
patient t"rbearance, and their new born
hopes. Notlong ago Gov. Chamber rlain in
transport of truthful and genuine en-
thu>iasm proclaimed to the people of
the country the startling fact that the
civilization OF the puritan and the cava-
lier, OF the Roundhead and Huguenots
i in peril in South Carolina. lie spoke
these words under the inspiration of his
better angel, for truer words he never
spoke, and they are as true now as
then. The peril is greater now than
then. for when the worst and most de-
graded element of society enter into or
control government ,s there not much
reason to apprehend some catastrophy
which We hardly dare TO contemplate |;
Signed by w. Nj. Wightman, bishop
OF Methodist Episcopal Church South;
b. w. Howe. d. d., bishop of diocese
of South Carolina; p. N. Lynch, d. D..
bishop of Charleston; John Forrest, d.
D.. pastor First Presbyterian Church;
G. X. Bracket. pastor Second Presby-
terian Church; J. L. Gerardian, D. b.,
professor Theological Seminary; J. a.
Chambliss. pastor Citadel Square Bap-
tist Church: L. Muller, d. D., pastor
81. Mathews Lutheran Church. w. S.
Bowman, pastor Wentworth Lutheran
Church. P. r. Stevens. psesbyser, Re-
formed Episcopal Church: w. b. Yates.
chaplain TO seamen: David Levi, minis
ter Congregation Bethelohim.