Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-05-05
i!ailp 3ilunrbst sournaI
A u q u - II A A.,
Saturday Morning, May 5, 1871.
The south Carolina Purgation.

The South CarOlina run satio"'
The proceedings in the South CaroIina
Legislature, when the members which re-
cognized the now dead Chamberlain leg
islature appeared at the bar of the House
and by abject apologies purged them
selves of contempt" are siekening to
read. A full report was printed in the
Charleston News and Courier for the de-
light and edification of the bulldozers
The New York Tribune for a wonder can
not conceal its disgust and expresses it as
follows:
In every case the last degree of humilia-
tion was insisted upon, the most complete apollo
gy exacted. The simple acceptance OF the sNua-
tion and recognition of the present House a. The
legally constituted one, which of course contained
by implication the confession that the orgsniza-
tiop they had abandoned was not legal, was not
deemed sufficient. Each one of the recusanls was
held 10 the stfictest construction of the resolution
describing him as in contempt and requiring an
apology. No one was allowed to offer eNplana-
ton Justification, or defense of his previous sc-
ton; the attempt to disclaIm any intention OF
wrong-doing was nosily put down; nothing
would do but that each individual should come
forward to the bar and confess that he had done
wrong knowingly and willfully, and crave the par
don Of the House for his unlawful conduct
The first person brough to the bar said address
ing the Speaker, hat have done believe TO be
right, but am perfectly willing TO recognize you
as the legal Speaker and this the legal House of
Representatives" This the Speaker would not
accept, because it contained no expression OF re-
gret or penitence for his papable violation of law.
The confession of deliberate guilt and humble pc
tition for pardon were insisted upon, and after
time extorted. He th1n asked permission to speak
for his colleagues, ard in their behalf make the
same admission and apology. But that was not to
be thought of. The reputable gentlemen who have
Just come into possession oil power did otpropost
TO lose any of the rare sport which this scene Of
humiliation and disgrace offered them. Each Of
fender must appear ut the bar in person and pub
licly abase himself 10 purgation of his contempt
Nothing short of the pound OF flesh would answer
One member said. "lf | am in contempt, hope
twill, be pardoned !" but they tolerated no lis
and be had 10 change it to "as am in contempt
| ask pardon" Another named Forrest was DIES
cribed as being sulky, and the scene with him Is
thus related:
He said, al am sorry for my violation of the
Constitution Of the State" The Speaker-"Dc
you ask forgiveness Forrest-I always axe
forgiveness when does wrong" The Speaker
do you admit that you have done wrong :" For
rest-"Of course. il is violate the Constitution
! has done wrong" Voices from the democratic
sue" W e uOh propose ~ nave tnls man suuht
round in this way be must purge his contempt
or leave" Forrest (much moved)-"I say axes
humble pardon, Sir
The correspondent describing the performance
INDUCES in expressions of satisfaction and delight
at the spectacle of humiliation, and adds, "the
show for the day" having closed, while the err
ing members were humilisting themselves, the
rest of the Mackey members, whose names are
not yet reached, sat gloomy and silently in their
seats; and as bad as it appeared to be to those
who recanted, il was indefinitely worse to those
who didn't get a chance TO eat Dirt"
Now this is the sort of thing that scarcely needs
comment. The picture paints itself and carries
its lesson along. One does not like to think Of
these respectable and intelligent men, the best
men in the State, it is said-men who boast of
gentle blood and culture and high sense Of
per- onal honor, and all the chvalrc virtues-,it-
ting in state to hear apologies from parcel of
poor ignerant black men wac just waking
from their brief dream of power. Is it possible
that there be any healing for insulted dignity
or any reparation for wounded pride in the broken
confessions and stammering apologies of these
poor creatures, who after all were never half so
bed as might have been expected from their con-
dition and circumstances, Would it not have
been better-more digniied and decorous, to say
nothing Of the magnanimity of ito have quiet
ly ignored all the past, and set their faces
lutey toward the future But they said, snow
we have come to our own, our first buseess must
be TO make the niggers own up and ask aldon."
And they have attended to that as being Of the
first consequence