The news and herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1876-1881, 1876-10-26

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in time. It can easily be demon
strated, not only that the Legisla-
tuns, oould have convened, but that
it could have convened in time.
The last riot in the State, before the
Cainhoy massacre (Which occurred
on the day the President'sproclama-
tion was issued) was at Ellenton on
the 10th of September. A week
aftor this all bands had dispersed
and the county was at peace. No
attempt aoas made to- i,,voite the aid
y' the State courts to arrest the
alleged c6c'eaers. It cannot then
be said that the State courts are or
have been powerless. On the 7th
OF October Chamberlain's libelous
proclamation was issued. On the
10th of October, Grant promulgated
his decreo This covers period
of twelve days. Why could not
Chamberlain have convened the
Legislature? Dildomestic violence
prevent this ? The State officials in
Columbia, the county officials in the
different counties, tho members of
the Legislature, were all walking
about in perfect security, while
Radical conventions all over the
State were bowling and screaming
and wrangling md fighting among
themselves without molestation. The
Legislature could have been con-
vened. Chamberlain knows it,
Grant knows it, everybody else
knows it. Chamberlain and Grant
admit it. The latter alleges that
the Legislature could not be con-
vened "i,. time" Will he or Cham
berlain or some other Radical
answer why not? What complex
machinery must have been set in
motion to call it together What
red tape ceremony had to be first
performed ? The constitution of the
State says merely that the Cover, l.
or "may on extraordinary occas i.ons
convene tho General Asse mbly."
1t imposes no limitation IF time.
Chamberlain could ha,to ordered
the Legislature to co'.vene on the
same day the proclamation was
issued, had he wi she'd it. The only
limit is one founded on common
sense-thaS sufficient time must be
allowed !. extend the notice and to
permit ohe members to reach Co.
lum' ia. The State capital is cen
t. lily located. Railroads diverpc
INTO every part of South Carolina.
Three days fornotice and throe days
for assembling would have been
sufficient in the grave emergency
which Governor Chamberlain yio-
lently assumed to exist. Giving the
people five days of time to dispersc,
Chamberlain, had he desired to obey
tho constitution and laws, coul d
have issued his proclamation on the
18th, and bad the Legislature in
Columbia by the 18th. An applica
ton from this body coulI have
reached tho President on the 21st,
and rs he has proven himself to be
ever on the alert to obey the re-
quest of his minions, tho dread
proclamation might have appeared
on tho srmo day. Then at least,
bowover unwarranted by fact, it
would have been decent and in &C.
cortlance with the forms O. law.
Why was not this course pursued?
There can be but one answer.
Chamberlain feared, or knew, that
the Legislature would not make the
application. AS the judges IF the
State bravely and properly refused
to lend themselves to his dirty work,
30 he feared that tho Legislature
might be manly and decent enough
to refuse to perjure themselves by
alleging the existence of certain
facts which did not exist. His eamc
would have been blocked. Federal
troops could not have boon brought
to this State to do police duty at
the bohest of worthless and unscru
pulous deputy marshals for whom
they have contempt and loathing.
Chamberlain and Grant have
placed themselves in an unenviablo
position. They arc Instructors of
tho law, and are committing acts of
violence against the people, against
T. Ia