The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-04-10

The struggle can be prolonged
and my strict legal righs are
Of course wholly unaffected by the
action of the president. No court
of the state has jurisdiction to pass upon
the title to my office. No lawful legisla-
ture could be convened except upon my
call. IT use of these powers promised ul-
titnate success to our cause | should not
shrink from any sacrifices which might
confront me. 1t is cause in which, by
the light OF reason and conscience. a man
might we'll lay down his life But, to my
mind, my present responsibility involves
the consideration of effect of my action
upon those whose representative aim
have better to been willing to ask
you Republicans of South Carolina to
risk all dangers and endure all han dships
until relief should come from the govern
ment of the United States. That relief will
never come. | cannot ask you to follow
me further. La my Judgment | can no
longer serve you by further resistance to
the impending calamity. With gratitude
to God for the measure of endurance with
which he has hitherto inspired me; with
gratitude to you for your boundless conf
dence in me; with profound admiration
for your matchless fidelity to the
cause in which we have strug-
to the people of the state that | shall no
longer actively assert my right to the office
of governor of South Carolina.
The motives and purposes of the presl-
dent of the United States in the policy
which compels me to pursue my present
course are unquestionably honorable and
patriotic. | devoutly pray that events
may yindicate the wisdom of his action and
that peace, justice, freedom and prosperity
may hereafter be the portion of every cit
izen of South Carolina.
| iSigned ID. Ii. CHAMBERLAIN,
Gov. of 5. Z.
COLUMBIA, S. c.. April TO- 1877
To His Excellency, d. II, Chamberlain, Gov:
Dear Str:--Reeurring to the views gel
orally expressed by us during the persona
conference which we had the honor to hol(
with you yesterday in regard to the politi
cal complications which haYe grown out 0
the late canvass in this state, we beg leav
to apprise you, formally, of the conclusion;
we have reached.
j, After mature deliberation and the great
est reflection which we have bee
able to bestOw upon the subject, whilst W
are no less inspired with admiration fo
the dignifed and resOIute manner in whicl
you consistently maintained your claims q
th4 gubernaturial chair by virtue of tn
election held in November last than we ar,
solemnly impressed with validity of you
title to the office, we are unanimous IN thu
belief tina, to prolOng the contest IN tn
absence of that moral aid to which w
| ppI
at the hands of the national administra
ton, installed, in larger measure throug
the same agencies which are now held t
be insufficient for our maintenance, will b
to incur the responsibility OF keeping aliv
partisan prejudices which are in the las
degree detrimental to the best interests o
the people of the state aud perhaps of pre-
cipitating physical conflict that could hav
but one result 10 our defenceless constitu
ency. We cannot afford to contribute
] however Indirectly, to such catastroph
even in the advocacy Of what are known t
be our rights. We are agreed, therefore
in counselhng you to discontinue th
struggle for the occupancy Of the guI
E ernatorial chair, convinced as We al
that iu view of the disastrous odds
which its maintenance has been suffice
: ed by the action of the national admin
: i tration. Your retirement will involve n
: surrender Of principles nor its motive b
= uisapprehended by the great body of thi
! political party to which, in common vii
. ourselves, you are attached, and who
success in the past, in this state, has bee
:, ennobled by yeur intelligent and unselis
service.
We have the honor to be, very respec
l fully, yours, (Signed)
, ROBERT b. ELLIOTT, Attorney General
= THos. e DUNN, Comptroller General.
II JOHN P. ToLBEKT, Supt. of Education.
# F. j. CARDoZA, Treasurer S. c.
II. (. HAYNE, Secretary Of State.
, JAMES KENNEDY. Adit and Inspector General