The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1877-04-26

that your deliverance from the hands
of your oppressors might be certain
and complete. Not the faintest whis-
per of the possibility of disappoint-
ment in these hopes and promises
ever reached you while the struggle
was pending. To day, April 10, 1877
by the order of the President whom
your votes alone rescued from over
whelmlng defeat, the government of
the United States abandon you; de-
liberately withdraws from you it's
support, with the full knowledge
that the lawful government of the
State will be speedily overthrown.
BY a 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 Supreme Court,
the executive of the United States
evaded the duty OF ascertaipingwhicb
of two rival State governments is the
lawful one, and by the withdrawal of
the troops now protecting the State
from domestic violence abandons the
lawful State government to a strug-
g'e with insurrectionary forces too
powerful to be resisted. The grounds
of policy upon which such action is
defended are startling.
1t is said that the North is
weary of the long Southern troubles.
1t was weary, too, of the long trou-
bles which sprung from the stupen--
dous crime of chattcl slavery and
longod for repose. 1t sought to COW
er them from sight by wicked COM
promises with the wrong which dis
turbcd its peace, but God hel it to
its duty until, through a conflict
which rocked and agonized tho ma,
ton, the great crime was put away
and freedom was ordained for all.
1t is said that it maj ority of the
people OF a State are unable by
physical free to maintain their rights
they must be left to political servi.
tudo. Is this a doctrine ever before
heard in our history2 If it shall
prevail, its consequences will not
long be confined to South Carolina
or Louisiana.
1t is said that Democratic House
of Representatives will refuse an ap
preparation for the army of the Uni
ted States if the lawful government
of South Carolina is maintained by
military forces. Submission to such
coercion marks the degeneracy of the
political party or people which ems
dures it. A government worthy the
name, political party fit to WELD
power, never before blancbed at such
a threat.
But the edict has gone forth. No
arguments or consideration which
your friends could present have suf-
feed to avert the disaster. No etfec
tive means Of resistance to the con-
summation of the wrong are left. The
struggle can be prolonged. My
strict legal rights are of course wholly
unaffected by the action of the Pres,
ident. No court of the State has
Jurisdiction to pass upon the title to
my office. No lawful Legislature
can bo convened except upon my
call. If the use of these powers
promised ultimate 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, man
might well lay down his life. But,
to my mind, my present responsible
lty involves the consideration of the
etfect,of my action npon those whose
representatives I am. have hither.
to been willing to ask you, Republi.
cans of South Carolina, to risk all
dangers and endure all hardships un L.
til relief should come from the gov
ernment OF the United States. That