National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1879-07-12
Is swAus TO RErIrRNa

1t is currently reported that SwAILs con-
templates returning to Williamsburg County.
If this be q, fact, it is incumbent upon the Ex-
ecutive C0mmittee of the Democratic party to
find out what is his purpose in returning. If
it is to take up his permanent residence amolg
us, 1t is Their duty as good citizens to warn
SwAIIs that he will do so at his personal peril.
The white people-if true to what has been
pledged in their behalf-will not permit
SwAILs to return here to live. If he proposes
to come here to arrange his private affairs so as
to leave permanently, the Executive Commit
tee should have him so state, in writing, Civ.
ing the exact time within which he will leave
for good. and beyond which he will not be al
lowed to stay. If he declines to state his pur-
pose tho public should be made aware of the
fact, and he will have been made aware of the
fact that his residence here will be at personal
risk, and his permanently remaining here will
not be permitted by the whites of Williams
burg County. If, after this, he makes his APP
pearance, he can take the consequences of his
past From what We hear he will likely have
n lively time and be glad enough to retire to
more quiet and profitable scenes We do not
see what induces him 70 return, if indeed he
intends doing so. His property is all in the
hands of Sheriff JACOBS, by whose interven-
ton alone it has been kept from being sold ut
public outcry long ago.-kingstoa IS. c. Star.
We give the above to show the spirit of
South Carolina Bourbons toward Republi-
cans. Mr. SwAILs' only offense is that he
is stalwart Republican, and will neither
suspend his principles, his opinions, nor his
independence rs man and u citizen mt the
behests of his Bourbon prosecutors in South
Carolina. lie is n fugitive from Democratic
persecution, and the question is asked, "Is
"SwAIIs to return? We have no means
of knowing what Mr.. SwAILs will do; but
this much we say: so long as he has been
guilty of no offense except to stand by his
Republican principles insist upon his rights
of citizenship and express his honest opin-
ion of those who have warned and perse-
cuted him away from his home, his family,
and his State, he should return at his pleas
ure and meet any consequences that may
await his return. There is no "executi We
committee recognized in the Constitu-
ton and laws of this Nation, which has the
right to dictate for how long or how short
a time he OF any other citizen shall stay In
any State in this Union, so long as he re-
spects the laws and the rights of his fellow
men.
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the State of South Carolina. He had been
honored with public position under the suf-
frages of his fellOw-men. He was good
citizen of property and influence, but he
was Republican, and his power as such
was felt To get rid of his presence and in
fluence as such he was warned and bull
dozed from his home and family, and found
refuge at the Capital of the Nation, where
his worth rs q man and his principles rs u
Republican have been recognized with pub
lie position under Republican adminstra-
tion. Since he came here charges of libel
have been trumped up against HIM and the
sheriff has seized his property, Now his
personal safety is threatened if he shall
return to meet his accusers and
maintain his rights MS a man and n cit
izen. In view Of this he ought to return,
and the Federal Government should inform
the government of the State that it will be
held responsible for any infringement of his
rights as n man and an American citizen
If the time has come when citizens are to
be driven from their homes, separated from
their families, and despoiled of their prop
erty, for the reason that they entertain po-
litical views not entertained by the govern
ment of their State, let that be understood
and let the General Government settle the
question whether or not Republican in
South Carolina has any rights that Demo.
cratic State administration is bound to re-
spcct and protect. Let the case of Mr.
SwAms be made one of test, and now let
the question be settled whether the Federal
Government has any power TO protect its
own citizens from persecution, wrong, and
outrage in any State in the Union. This il
worth contending and lighting for, if needs
be.
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