Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-04-05

ernments is the lawful one, the forces at the State
| House are not in any proper sense acting 10 the
enhancement of the rights of either of the con-
tending claimants; but, on the contrary, they are
holding the rival parties in an attitude IN whlch
each can pursue its proper remedies and seek
proper settlement of its claims. If, on the otber
hand il is within the power and duty Of the gov
eminent of the United States to determine, as
political fact and question, which of the two rival
State governments is the lawful one, and TO con-
form its political conduct to such DETERMINATION
then, at whatever moment such q DETERMINATION
shall be reached and announced, all proDaoie he,
cessty for the actual presence OF armed forces ot
| the United States to further sustain the govern
ment thus decided to be the lawful government
of the State will cease. If further necessity Tor
| aid from the government of the United states
shall arise such aid will be demanded ana extended
| under the well known provisions of the consttu'
ton of the United States.
| A SECOND OBJECTION.
| My next objection to the Withdrawal OF the
United States forces from the state House Is that
| such withdrawal at the present time, pending the
decision of the question of the validity OF one or
| the other Of the two governments, VIII be prac,
| teal decision in favor OF my opponent By tnls
| mean that my opponent Is at this moment luhy
prepared, in point OF physical strength 70 over
| throw the government which represent. Why Is
this The cause is honorable to the political par
| ~ which represent. They are law aoldlng they
| are slow TO resort TO violence even IN defence OF
| their rights; they have trusted that decent re-
gard for law, decent respect for rights conferred
hy the government of the United Sta'es, would
| restrain their opponents from the violence which
| has now overtaken them. They know now that
| they expect from their political enemies nellh-
| er justice nor mercy. They have relied with un.
shaken faith upon the protection OF the United
States. IT, therefore the United states forces now
| stationed at the State House shall be Withdrawn
they will regard that act, under the circumstances
| now existing, as leaving them exposed 10 the
power and vengeance OF the armed, illegaI mluiafy
organizations which cover the State and constitute
| the political machinery of the democratic party.
They will regard that sct-l speak now only of the
| fact-as declaration by the United States that no
further protection can be called for except such as
| they hold in their own hands. They cannot alone
| maintain the unequal contest. | certainly cannot
advise further resistance. That which would be an
imperative duty under other circumstances would
become madness now. lift be said, in reply, that
such Of the United States forces is merely CIV
ing political advantage to one OF the two con-
tending parties in the assertion OF Its claim, an
swer that in my view it is rather the preservation
to each party of their rights to chance in the
struggle If 1t must go on, or II the government
which | represent is the lawful government, 1t Is
the protection Of the government agains dolnes-
tic violence in accordance with the constitution
My opponent demands the withdrawal Of the unl-
ted States forces from the State House. 1t will
be of service in judging what results will follow
demand is made. / suppose neither courtesy nor
charity will warrant the suggestion that 1t arises
from a jealous regard for constitutional limitations
on the part OF my opponent. On the other hand,
the demand is already made for the purposes OF
political advantage in the present struggle. What
is this advantage 1t has been suggested 1t is to
enable my opponent 10 pursue his legal remedies
in the premises. Ii is sufficient answer to this
to say that no hindrsnce of any kind now
exists to the peaceful and complete enforcement
| nj a remedies
and remedy which belongs TO my opponent under
any circumstances is within his unrestricted reach
to-day, and has been on all days. This fact points
at once to the conclusion that in demanding the
| withdrawal Of the troops from the State House
my opponent does not desire thereby to secure
his own right by lawful means or peaceful agen-
cies, but to rob me and my associates and constit
uents of our rights by unlawful means and violent
agencies.
CHARGES OF VIOLENCE.
IL reference be made to the profession Of those
who demand the Withdrawal of the troops that
they seek only to secure their rights by lawful
means, respectfully answer that am FAM liar
with such professions They have been made
with endless iteration during a campaign of I'M
precedeRted length marked from the opening to
the close by every degree and form OF physical
violence. TO one not familiar with the condition
of South Carolina the statements l have now
made may seem eNtIayagant. l refer for c0Dfr-
nation OF all have stated to the testimony taken
by the congressional committees during the past
winter, and affirm that my present acquaintance
with the facts compels me to say that this testimo
ny falls short of the truth. The republicans OF
South Carolina have carried on struggle up to
the present moment for the preservation Of their
rights. Their hope has been that they might con-
time to live under free government. The with
drawal of the troops from the State House will
close the struggle, will close it in defeat to large
majority Of the people of the State, in the sacri-
fee of their rights, in the complete success of
violence and fraud as agents in reaching political
results.
| SUMMARY OF RESULTS.
| To restate the results which will follow the with
drawal Of the troops from the State House
| say
| Fmst-It will remove the protection absolutely
necessary to enable the republicans to assert and
enforce their claim to the government of the
| State.
Second-It will enable the democrats to re-
move all effective opposition to the illegal militia
ry forces under the control Of my opponent.
Third-1t will place all the agencies for main
tanning the present lawful government of the
State in the practical possession of the democrats
through the admission it will require.
| Fourth-lt will lead to the quick consummaton
of political outrage against which have felt and
now feel it to be my solemn duty to struggle and
protest so long the fsintest hope of success can
| be seen.
Very respectively your obedient servant.
| ID. Ill. CHAMBERLAIN.