National Republican., 1879-03-31

TO The Editor of the National ReDUblicdn:
SIR: In the days of the Romlsh inquisiton, the
casuists of that institution prepared certain inter
rogatories to be put to the victims thereof so cum
nngy framed that, let the answers thereto bo what
they might, the result was the same to the supposed
hereto, condemnation and death. And IL the vic.
TIM seeing the trap that was prepared for him,
refused to answer, he was adjudgcd contumacious,
and therefore worthy Of death also. The enlight.
encd Sc ntimen OF this age rovolts with horror
iromsuch inhumal injustice, ana heaps obloquy and
rcproach upon the institution which perpetrated
such wrongs and the officials who were its willing
instruments, But we have at this very day. and in
this so called free Republic something akin in ifs
spirit and results, at enst to the Spanish inquisl.
tion-the case Of Pcndergrdss, of South Carolina,
an Intelligent colorcd man.
BY that cast we learn that under Wade Hamp-
tons administration law has been enacted by
the Democratic Legislature Of that State which, In
It's effects and results, Is as tyrnnnical and anti
republican as any ever concocted at the Vatican.
II is called n law oflibel and is intended 10 sup
press all criticism of the actions of the rebel leaders
Of the Palmetto state Under this law If a man
should write any aninndversions upon the bull
doing aud ballot-box stufling of the Democratic
him, haul him before q jury composed entirely of
his bitter political foes and judge determined to
ronyict him, can be fined heavily, and then
hustled off TO the ponitcntnry. This was the way
poor Pendergrass was treated Last fall he wrote a
letter TO a Mr. Swails, giving an account of the
election frauds and violence porpetrated by the
Democrats last fall at the polls swails allowed the
letter to he published, and the writer was imme.
diacly arrested under this internal enactment, had
trial that was the broadcst burlesquo on fair ju
dtcial proceedings, was convicted, of course, and
wns sentenced to two years imprisonment at hard
labor, or TO pay fine of $500. The little property
possessed by this colorcd martyr to Democratic Sc
cesson hate would hardly pay tithe of this n-
iquitous fine and at last ACCOUNTS, the coored peO
pie coi the vicinity were taxing themselves heavily
IN order to save this victim OF Democratic oppres
sion.
But look at the effect of such q law. All anmad-
versions upon even the bodcst frauds at the polls
are totally suppressed Indeed, free discussion of
any kind is chOked oifand stopped. \ Democratic
slangwhangcr may say and do what he pleases In Il
canvass or at the poles, and II any man crlticiZes
his sayings or dongs he charge him with libel
and Democratic court aud Jury can and will i'm.
prison him for years, or impoversh hlm for life.
How can free discussion survive under such ty-
rnnmcal and iniquitous law? II eilectualy stiles
al opposition to the brutal tyranny OF such men as
llangdog Butler and other such monsters as he.
The press of the North and West, which is yet free
and untrammeled thank God! should expose this
new phase of Bourbon tyranny, and should blnzon
It's inlamy before the civilized world, and the fire
should be kept up till the right Of all men to free
discussion is permanently established, even in That
modern GolgOtha, Southern Carolina. WOE unto
him who frameth mischief into law" The curse
has gone forth of old and IL will vet blight the
hopes of these consplrators against Republican in
stitutions. d.