The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-03-29

fitheir citizenship, but there is no such
consideration of expediency to impel ac-
ton adverse to the full exercise, by Gov
ernor Hampton, of his authority as the
duly elected Governor of South Carolina.
His public declarations and acts attest
his purpose, that under his administra-
ton the government of South Carolina
shall "recognize and maintain inviolate
the rights Of all, "and that it viii! "be q
government which submits loyalty and
heartily to the Constitution and laws
the laws of the nation and the laws of the
State, accepting and obeying faithfully
the whole Constitution as it is" Permit
us to add, that "the question to consider
for the immediate welfare" of the State
of South Carolina, "is the question OF
government or no government; of social
order, and all the peaceful industries that
belong to it, or return to barbarlsm." :"
It is the unalterable resolve of Governor
Hampton, and of the majority of the peo-
pie of South Carolina, who by their free
suffrages elected him as their Chief Mag
istrate, never to submit to the domina-
ton of the usurped authority which now
holds with an armed force the Capitol of
the State. They will resist it everywhere
and continually, to their utmost power,
vet always within the limits that pre-
scribe their paramount duty as American
citizens to bear true faith and allegiance
to the Constitution and the Union, and
practice true obedience to the laws.
Such resistance cannot be doomed in
consistent with law-abiding citizenship,
for the Hampton government has re-
ceived the recognition directly or indi-
rectly of all the Circuit Judges, save one,
and even he has decided that Governor
Hampton received the highest number of
votes, although holding that the election
was not legally declared, the Senate hay
ing failed or refused to attend at the pub
lication of the vote by the Speaker of the
House of Representatives. The Circuit
Courts are now virtually our courts OF
last resort, owing to the death of the
Chief Justice; the absence or non-con-
currence of one of the two Associate JUS
tices; who, now constitute the Supreme
Court, and the fact that the General AS
sembly, which is alone empowered, to ill
the vacancy, has the same dual character
as the Governorship. The government OF
Governor Hampton has also the active
support of almost the entire intelligence
and respectability of both races and par
ties in the State, while that of Chamber
lain is upheld chiefly by bayonets and
the mercenary hands of unworthy office
holders and ofice-seekers.
We, therefore, respectfully submit that
obedience to law, as announced by our
court of last resort, with no provision OF
the National Constitution initiating
Herewith, and with no tribunal having
the power to absolve US from the duty to
render such obedience, the Congress OF
the United States having enacted no
statute in the premises, imperatively re-
uuires every good citizen to maintain
under all circumstances, and at all
hazards, the Hampton government, al.
ways, however, with due submission to
the laws of the United States; while
regard for enduring peace and the com.
mon good makes the same government Q
desideratum to all true patriots, and ad'
vocates of that self.government com:
mended, by the declaration of our Ma.
tional Independence.
We have the honor to be, very respect
fully, your obedient servants and fellow.
citizens. j. B. KERsHAW.
R. K. SCOTT.
T. J. MAcKEY.
JAMES III. RIoN.
T. J. ROBERTSON.