The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-05-03
Thursday, Nay 3. is77.
Republicanism in the Pillory.


South Carolina legislature. The mem
bers of the Democratic majority were ex-
cluded from the Legislative hall by United
States soldiers until the Republicans had
organized the house. Subsequently the
Democrats made their way in during an
adjournment Of the usurpi0g body and,
taking possession of the chamber, organ
lied legal house. The Republican repre-,
sentatves returned in dismay and the
curious scene was presented Of double
house with two speakers, 1.-TWO sergeants
at arms, two clerks land two corps of
pages all occupying one hall, the members
OF one body denouncing the other, the
speaker OF the one pronounclng his rival
and the men who supported hun 10 con-
tempt, and double stream of eloquence
and confusion pouring out daily in the
most bewidering way. Men feared to
leave their seats lest they should be shut
out, and lday and night the dual legisa-
ture remained in session, while the atmos-
phere grew foul and the members weary;
and the country, which had at first laugh
ed at the novel scene, got sick of the
disgrace when the fun began to pail.
Finally, the Democrats, fearing a move.
ment to expel them by federal force,
withdrew, and Chamberlain and his legls-
lature were left in possession OF the state.
house. On Thursday last. the day OF
retribution came. To the Democratic
members organized as the only lawful
house. the Republican legislators, aband-t
oned by their governor and state officers,
and disowned by the president they had
done so much TO elect, came as suppllants,
ike sheep without a shepard, when the
snow shuts out the sky A committee
was appointed to consider their case and
reported that the members from certain
counties constituting the first division of
repentant sinners should be admitted to
their seats upon purging themselves from
the contempt in which they stood for
their rebellion against the legal organiza-
ton. To do this they were required to
confess that they had done wrong and to
ask pardon, when the oath Of Office would
be administered. 1t was trying ordeal,
and as the suppliants came up one after
another and affirmed that they had been
knaves when they attempted to steal the
control of the state, they put upon the
Republican party the foulest shame that
any political organization in this country
has ever undergone. The downfall of
Packard and Chamberlain, repudiated
by their OVID partlzans, was
Dhu DuJ lHGY ND-
ciferously maintained their sincerity and
honesty to the last. These South Carolina
legislators pleaded guilty to completely in
great conspiracy, and threw themselves
on the mercy of the court, They were not
permitted to shirk the humiliation of con
fession in the slightest degree Miller, of
Beaufort, who came first, said in a shame
faced way, 10 marked contrast with his
al L.
done | believe to be right, but | am
perfectly willing to recognize you as the
legal speaker and this as the legal house
"of represen tatives." This declaration
was objected to as altogether insufficient
and Miller thereupOn at once retracted il
and confessed that he knew he had been 10
the wrong aud asked pardon. He request
ed that he might be allowed to say, in
behalf of his colleagues, that they made
the same apologies as himself, but the
house very properly insisted upon a per
sonal explanation from each man. Gault
said: Il accept the propositions as laid
down in the resolutions, aud | am willing
ITO stand by them and apologize for my
unlawful conduct" His two colleagues
from Beaufort were even stronger 10
their Acknowledgements. Alexander, OF
Chester county. asked pardon, alleging
as an excuse for his conduct that
he was new member and
knew no better. Coleman, has colleague
tried a subterfuge, saying: L accept the
propositions laid down IN the resolutions
and If am 10 contempt of the lega
house, hope that | will be pardoned
He was nc allowed to get off 10 this way
however, and changed the phraseology
instantly to AS | am in contempt, | ask
pardon Hampton Boston, of Claren
don, who distinguished himself last winte
by his stentorian voice, spoke 80 low tina
he bad TO repeat his apology. Then fol
lowed two good-natured and iliterat
representatives of Georgetown who made
frank confession, and after them came
delegation to which recantation was not s.
easy matter. We quote from tn
Charleston NeUS and Courier:
Morgan, Forrest and Caldwell, OF orangebure
were next called, and came forward rather dog
gedly Morgan said: L am sorry for everything
have done in violation of the constitution of thi
state Orr-'Do you ask pardon of this house
M@rgan-I grant It, sir daughter Severu
voces-'It appears II this man is trying to avoi
recantatiOn' Morgan-I axes forgiveness, sir
Caldwell made clean breast of it. He said
When was here before knew was in contempt
but the people Of my country kept me here. and
stayed to show them they were wrong, and the
know they are wrong now, and crave forgiveness,
sir Forrest very sulky. He said: i al
sorry for my violation of the constitution of tn
state The speaker-'Do you ask forgiveness
Forrest-I always axes forgiveness when doe
wrong The speaker DO you admit that yo
have done wrOng| FOrrcst-'Of course If l Is vic
ate the constitution, has done wrong Voice
from the Democratic side-'We don't propose
have this man shuttle round In this way; he mus
purge his contempt leave Forrest, muc
moved-'I say axes humble pardon, sir
And so the scene went on, one membe
protesting that he had erred through mex
perience, another alleging that he suppose
he was right, but had discovered his error
and third hesitating to do more tina
accept the new condition of things, but al
finally making abject apologies for thei
lawless and wicked course. The declaru
tiOns OF some of the negro members eause
much laughter, Peterson, OF WILLIAMSBURG
saying: Il axes the house to forgive III
for my way wardness;" his colleague
Evans, remarking II know is done wrong
and ] axes pardon, sir. Under the facia
riDples on the surface, however. Their
flowed something OF tragic feeling, an,
the whole episode must be considered a
ono Of the most humiliating in the histor
OF representative government If north
eru Republicans have not the grace L
blush for The dishOnor of their party, al
good citizens Of every section should blusI
for the shame which it has brought upol
the country. For, bumiiating to tn
American name as the spectacle is, it mus
not be forgotten that it is less humiliatinl
than the scandal and the crime of which i
was the tardy confession and expiation.
|
Poor Ohio.
Only last week n semi official onnonpoa