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

party TO keep your allegiance true 10 tnat
party, in ORDER that your deliyerance
from the hands of your oppressors might
be certain and complete. Not the faint
est whisper of the possibility OF disap-
pointment in these hopes and promises
ever reached You whilo the struggle was
pending. To-day, April 10Th, 1871. by
order Of the President whom your votes
rescued from overwhelming defeat-the
government of the United States ahan-
dons you deliberately. withdraws from
you It's support, with the full knowledge
that the lawful government OF the Safe
will be speedily overthrowu. BY new
Interpretation OF the constitution OF the
United States at variance alike with the
previous practice of the government and
with the decisions of the SuEreme Court,
the executive ofthe United States evades
the duty OF ascertaining which OF the
two rival State governments is the law
iul one, aud by the withdrawal OF troops
now protecting the State from domestic
violence, abandons the lawful State gov
eminent to a struggle with Instruction
ary force too powerful 10 be resisted -
The grounds OF the policy upon which
the action is defended are startling. III
is said that the North Is weary OF the long
Southern troubles. 1t was weary too, OF
the long troubles which spraug from the
stupendous crime OF chattel slavery and
louCed tor repOse. Ii sought to cover
them from sight By wicked compromises
with the wrong which disturbed its peace,
bu, God held it to its duty until through
a conflict which rocked and agonized the
nation the great crime was put away,
and freedom was ordaiUed tor all. II Is
said that il the majority OF the people OF
Stste are unable by physical force TO
maintain their rights, they must be let
% political servitade. Is this doctrine
ever before heard in our history? Ii IL
shall prevail, its consequences will not
long De confined 10 South Carolina or
Louisiana. Il is said ths; the Democratic
House of Representatives will refuse an
appropriation Tor the army OF the United
States. Ii the lawful government Of
South Carolina is maintained by military
force. submission 10 such coercion marks
the degeneracy OF the political party
which endured Il.
But the edict has gone forth. No arEu-
menis or considerations which Your
friends could present hsve sufliced to
avert the disaster, no effective means OF
II siStsuce 10 the contamination OF the
wrong sre LETT. My strict legal rights
are OF course wholly unaffected by The
action of the President-no court OF the
state hiss Jurisdiction to pass upon he
title 10 my ofiice-no lawful legislature
can be convened excep. upon my call. IL
the use of these powers promised ult:-
mate success TO our cause, | should not
shrink from any sacrifice which might
confront me. Ii is cause for which a
man might well lay down bus lie.
cannot ask you TO follow NE further
la my Judgment cannot longer serve
you by resistance to the impending ca
lsmi:y. With gratitude to cod for the
measure OF endurance with which he has
hitherto inspired me, with gratitude 10
you for Your boun6less confidence in me,
with profound admiration for your match
less fidelity TO the cause 10 which we have
struggled. | now announce To YOU and
the people OF the State. that ! shall no
longer assert my rlght 10 The once OF
governor Of South Carolina The mo-
tives and purposes OF the President Of
the United States in the policy which
compeIS me 70 pursue my present course
are PROFESSIONALLY houored and patriotic.
| devouIly pray that events may vindicate
the wisdom OF this action and that peace,
Justice. freedom and prosperity may here
after be the portion Of every citizen OF
South Carolina.
ID. II. CHAMBERLAIN.
Governor OF South Carolina.