Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1877-04-17
South Carolina.

In obedience to the orders OF President
Hayes, the National troops stationed at
Columbia. 5. c. were removed last week.
In view OF this fact, Governor Chamber
lain retired from his office. and in so de-
doing fired parting shot at the admin
istrstion, which We publish below. Il is
impossible to foresee what the result of
this action is to be. Those who watched
the conduct Of Hsmpden's friends. during
the last campaign, can but feel the great
est solicilude for the welfare OF rePubii.
cans and blacks, in that State. However,
the President has received the best OF
pledges that the rights Of all classes shall
be respected. and the best We csn all 10
is 10 avail, the result. Il is useless 10
clog the President in his conscientious
actions. by opposition, till it is proved
that his hopes are not well founded, and
that bis policy is faulty, OF course al
republicans looked for q far different
course Of action from their standard
bearer; but we can afford to see bis tx
pertinent fairly tried. Ii it results in
pscifcstion. all honor 10 him who coz
ceived the plan; il oiherwise-we can
but hope for the best.
To tie Republicans or South Cqr0lila:
By your choice was made Governor
OF this State in 1874. Al the election on
the 9Th Of November last | was again by
your votes elected 10 the same Office.
My title to the Office upon every legal and
moral ground is to-day perfect, bat By
the recent decision aud action OF the
President OF the United States find my
self unable longer 10 maintain my official
rights with any prospect OF hual success,
and / hereby announce 10 you that am
unwilling TO prolong a struggle which
can only bring further suffering on those
who engage in IT, In announcing this
conclusion it is my duty to say to ou that
the Republicans Of South Carolina enter
ed upon their recent political struggle for
the maintenance OF heir political and
civil rights, constituting beyond question
8 large majority OF the lawful voters OF
the State. You allied yourselves with
that political party whose central and in
spring principle has hitherto been the
civil and political freedom OF all men
under the constitution and laws OF our
country. By heroic efforts aud sacrifices
which the Just verdict OF history will re-
deem from the cOwardly storm now cast
upon them by political placement and
traders. you secured the electoral vote OF
South Carolina tor Hayes and Wheeler.
In accomplishing this result you became
victims OF every form of persecution and
injury. From authentic evidence It IS
known that 10 less than one hundred Of
your number were murdered because
they were faithful TO their principles and
exercised The rights sOlemnly guaranteed
TO them by the nation. You were denied
employment, driven from your homes.
robbed OF the earnings OF years OF homes.
industry, hunted for your lives like wild
beasts, your families outraged and scatter.
cd Tor no offence except your peaceful
and hrm deter minatiOn TO exercise Jour
political rights. You trusted, as you had
night to trust, that il By such efforts
you established lawful supremacy OF
your political party in the nation, the
government Of the United States in the
discharge OF It's constitutional duty, would
protect the lawful government of the
State from overthrow az the hands of
your political enemies. From causes d.
tent to all men and questioned By u0ue
who regard truth, you have been unable
70 overcome the unlawful combinations
and obstacles which have opposed the
practical supremacy OF the government
which your votes has ests blish. d. For
many weary months you have waited for
your deliverance. While the long strug-
gle for the Presidency was il progress
you were txhorted by every represents
live and organ Of the national Republican