The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-14
Bayonsis and the Ballot Roy.


The ill-expressed, awkward and un-
grammatical circular of ATTORNEY Gen.
cral TAFT tn the ,naEshsls of TIC United
State, ia the different districts. marks
another measure Of usGrpation and mill
sa:y !c:ce o;; t!!io part t... E-i,iicai con-
spirators, wEo have, resolved to retain
possession of the government at the point
Of tho bayonct If they cannot accom-
plish their purpose by virtue of honest
votes: If anything can arouse tho people
OF this country to sense of the grave
danger to which they arc no'f exposed,
OF having their liberties destroyed by
military power and the strong mailed
hand OF partisan despotism, these gradual
advances made by Grant, towards the
dragooning of the Southern States, should
suffice to reach their torpid consciences
and dormant feare. and command prompt
action to save the fragments of constitv,
tionni freedom, that remain intact by
Radical spoilation. For the order of
Taft, carefully end reluctantly expressed
as it is, amounts to plain notice TO the
officials representing the United Statca
military authority in the different judi.
ciai districts, that they are in effect armed
with unlimited power to call on the SOL
diery,. the militia and the general body
OF citizens, to carry into effect the dcta-
ton OF Radical committees, and force the
election of candidates who would be defea-
ted If the popular will was left free and
the polls were unchallenged by tho naked
sword. The proposition is a plain one
III its etirontery and infamy, and worthy
IN all respects of the Infamous inspira-
tioG which has sent It forth; that the
hand which wields the bayonet shall su-
perez the hand wherein the honest
bnllot has been lodged; and that the
minority which jnstifes Grantism NAV
be strengthened and seconded by the
orcn aid Of the sword, against tho great
popular majority which Ia ready to repu-
diate Grantism, and which only asks
inir. poll and an unterrified opportunity
st the polls, to reject Grants candidates
ON the 7th of November next.
! Great part of the infamy of this docu-
nent OF Taft's arises from the fact that IL
has been deliberately issued in the teeth
OF o recent decision of the Supreme Court
Of the United States, which pronounces
Tho Enforcemeni iaw unconstitutional.
That decision is, in effect, that some parts
OF the law may bo in conformity, as
othera are undoubtedly in conflict with,
the provisions and restaints of the cons!i.
tuition but that the sound and unsound
parts are 80 intimately iriterniHsle5 that
the Court had no recourse except to pro-
nounce the entire law null and void.
The Attorney General has the haidihood
to ailude to, this decision, and to say, in
effect, that the circular letter 10 the mar
shals has been Issued in full knowledge
of the pufport of that lofty judicial rui-
| ing. Bnt, with cunning, appeal to the
passions and issues of the past, which is
| the sole weapon and recourse nnsy remain
ing to the Radical party, Mr.. Taft en-
deayors to strengthen his Interpretation
OF the powers of United States marshals
by citing decisions made by Caleb Cush-
Ing, when the latter was the Attorney
General underla Dcnocratcl administra-
ton, end when the question applied to /
the arrest and remanGing of fugitive
| slaves! This is the miserable subterfuge
to which Radical leadership Is reduced,
in the absence of all law aud Justice, mud
in direct defiance Of recent clear decis-
ion of the highest Federal court. The
Attorney General attemptst to bolster d
bsd case by citing an ancient ruling
which it would be treason for anybody
eiee to refer to, and which his own party
s;;d himself would DO equally prompt t1
cite, under different circumstances, SIS en-
evidence of the lawlessness and unscru-
puiousneas. Of the Democratic party and
its officials Of the old regime
But II Is not necessary and it does not
avail, 10 discuss Tho shameless character
OF this latest Radical emanation. It
means war on the. people ;I il is q plain,
array Of bayonets and the drawn sword
on one side, against the honest voters on
the other. What will; be the result, of
this martial order, worthy or Cromwell
or Napoleon? and how shall ita danger
Gus consequences be avoided or preveii-
tedH We hope people will not permit
themselves to be excited, and that there
may be afforded as little pretext and oc :. (,
easion as possible for any Interference OF,
the part of the marshal and hfs posse, I.
whether of soldiers or negro militia; .tit q
If, this hope is yain, and the pills ARG
barricaaed and the ,y0ters dragooned,
there is no course open except TO refuse
10 sote altogether, and leave the House
Of Representative to act with decision
when the Electoral College, meeta, and !
reject peremptorily the vote OF any, State
thus secured to the Radical party, by the
nso of illegal power. If the Radical
Senate should retaliate by the rejection
of Democratic States, wherein he ma
jority for Mr. Tlden was honorably won,
the result viii be a failEFs To elect, and
theldaty of making President, will then {
deyolye on the Democratic House Pos
sibiy Mr. Grant viii seek to checkfpate
these measures Of a peoples faithful
representatives to protect them in the
exercise of their civil rights, byarTestine
the House and assuming for himself the
robes Of dictatorship. So much has al
ready been prophecied; that he would
never leave the White HaTlse aliye; that
bayonets had put him in aud it would
take bayonets to put him out. So Cesar
may have his third term after all; but
Honid not thnt be righteous retribus:on
upon Hayes for his cowardiy and silent
assent to the violent and scandalons
measures now being adopted TO force his
nominal election and would it not be q
good ching for The Northern pebple TO
find that Che acta they iiad eotihfefiaYtced
for the murder of. the liberties OF the
South, had resulted in the lose Of their
own rights. in she defeat of tiieir candi.
cat, and IN the fsissii1i, m st an
irrespohsible military despotisin
| Z Two Or three fno1ths will lfsciose the
tendency asld esbn 'tls D fruits OF the latest
bold nsilrpa ation of the Grant csbal.as.As
! present no man can say what effect on
| Che welfare, on the institutions, and even
on bic existence of the Republic, these
circulars and orders Of Taf, Cameron
I and Chandler will produces Ono refiec-
| ton affords US consolation; that those
who take the sword will pcrish by the
| sNStd, and that IL violent measnres are
| Invoked TO defeat Gfr.. ,Tildsn and the
will of the people, a gtsat nlany people