Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1882-04-06
OUR POLITICAL PRISONERS MUST
BE DEFENDED.
The Address of the State Executive
Committee.
Special Dispotch to the Ne,Ds & cos,rie

ocrctic State Executive Committee
issued the following address this
morning;
II the Democratic Party af South
Caro1isSp. Alter two. years of pro.
found PES our people are again
called upon to undergo the excitement
of political trials, instigated BY Fed
eral Office holders, who seek the re-
storation to power of the corrupt
men who brought disgrace and we'll
nigh brought ruin upon this State.
At no time in the history Of South
Carolina have there been greater quiet
; and good order in all ranks Of socie-
ty. All classes of our people are
devoting themselves TO the task Of
repatlezptheir lost fortunes and of
building up the waste places which
were devastated through years Of
tyranny, oppression and misrule.
The harmony and good feeling
which sSauld exist b5tween the two
| races which inhabit the State have
increased, and we are beginning with
good reason to look forward to pc
riod OF prosperity and happiness hith-
erto unknown in our annals. Du-
ring this time the courts Of the State
have been open and all the machine
ry Of government in full operation.
The laws have been administered
with Justice and moderation. No
complaint has been heard that the
humblest citizen has not received the
fullest protection which everywhere
In this country is the perogatlve e
an American.
Iu all the essentials which consti-
tute good government South Carroll ma
can to-day safely challenge comp lri-
son with any other State in the Un-
ion. But despite the peace and quiet
which have prevailed, despite the ez-
lstence Of State government ready
to punish disorder, repress crime and
protect its citizens, Federal officia Is
have seen fit to drag our people from
their homes and arraign them not on.
ly before Federal Courts, but before
the bar of public opinion. Not con.
tent With the services of skilled and
lsarned counsel appointed to execute
Federal laws within this State, the
attorney general of the United States
has seen fit to employ counsel from
another State. The recent letter ol
Attorney.General Brewster to Mr.
Sanders is an indictment Of the pem-
ocratic party Of South Carolina. Tc
this indictment the Democratic party
must answer. Its chosen representa-
tives, through whose persons it is
sought to perpetrate this outrage
must be defended with all Of the
force and all Of the energy of the
Democratic party.
The purpose in view is too plain tc
be misunderstood. He who runs may
read. When the hand of the assas-
sin struck down The Prsaids e dsas sns G Of the
fa4RszA %ate the people of the South are
yet staggering. The change of poll
cy towards the South, as unmistaka-
bly, indicated within the last few
weeks, should warn all lovers of good
government to be vigilant and ac
tive. The decree has gone forth. The
whtepeople Of Sonth Carolina must
avow the principles OF the Republican
party or be declared criminals.
The object Of those in authority is
not to punish for alleged crimes il
the past, but to make adherence tc
the principles OF the Democratic par
ty impossible in the future.
The time for this action has been
| ftly chosen. On the eve Of State
election our people are told that they
must submit to a return to Radical
rule or brave the persecution Of off
cials who are aided by all Of the pow.
er of the General Government. The
time has come for an indignant peo'
pie to rise in their might and protest
against this unwarrantable invasion
OF their rights. Ii We fail in oar
duty our civilization will be 10 t. Tue
fos and the stranger will again rule
South Carolina. The oppression and
the tyranny which marked the histc-
ry of Republican rule in this State
will again disgrace our civilization
and bring disaster upon our people.
In this situation Of affairs no true
son Of the State can doubt as to his
duty. Let Us stand together as one
man, and while confronting the COM
mon enemy preserve for ourselves
and our posterity the peace, the JUS
tice and the security which under
Democratic rule ell classes of our
citizens have enjoyed since the great
revolution of 1875. They whose on
ly offence is fidelity to the welfare Of
the State must not be permitted to
suffer as criminals.
Jamea T. Iglar, Chairman.
J H Earle, c 8 Mccall,
J NJ johnson, B ? Barron,