The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1894-04-02
The Governors Guard Showed
No Desire to- Fight.
TILLMAN TALKS TO HIS TROOPS.
Must DO Some Shooting II Ordered 70
do so-More Spies Found Murdered.
Governor Proposes to Execute Law
While II Remains q Law.


rather quiet'day in Columbia, and while
there have been incidents of a most inter
esting nature in connection with the dis
pensary troubles. there has been practi-
cally no disturbances Crowds have lined
the streets throughout the day, not for
the purpose of demonstrations, but to Sc
cure every item of news that can be had
In the matter.
Early yesterday morning, Governor Till
man established q telegraph censorship,
placing several militiamen. the most in
telligent that could be selected, In charge
OF both Offices, to supervise all messages.
Early in the day, the governor sum-
moned the Governors Guards 20 the execu-
tive mansion. He eaddressed them. saying
that he was informed that their disband-
ment was not their fault, but that they
had been overawed by a mob at their
doors. He told them that they stood be-
fore the people OF the state as disgrace,
and that he wished to give them the OPP
portunity to wipe the stain from their
brow. and to restore them to honor.
Threw Down Their Guns
He asked for some indication az TO
whether they would obey his orders, in
which event their arms would be given
back TO them As he made this assertion,
five of the men threw down their bayo-
nets, and were quickly followed by several
Others. Their captain begged them to de-
sist and wait until the governor had
finished. Governor Tillman. however,
told them that their action was satisfac-
tory, for he only wished to know exactly
what their position was.
He then said TO those who remained.
that they could leave, but il they deter
mined to obey orders, to report to the state
penitentiary. The remnant OF the COM
pany marched TO their armory, and in five
minutes thereafter they had disbanded.
During the day the governor notified
the captains OF the other ompanies that
the arms must be delivered to the state
in less than two hours. They replied
that they did not know where the arms
were, and that IL was impossible to com
ply with his order. The governor in
formed them peremptorily that the guns
must be produced.
On hearing this a number of prominent
citizens, in the interest of peace and order,
advised the men to give up their guns.
On their earnest advice, the young men
soon expressed their willingness to do
everything, in their power to put their
captains in possession Of the arms.
Talked to troops.
At B o'clock marching orders were given
20 the troops stationed at the penitentiary.
Governor Tillman addressed them, say
ing: "As chief executive of South Caro-.
lima, Iwish TO say few words to you
before your departure. thank you for
the promptness and zeal displayed by you
in responding to the call for duty. Many
of you have doubts as to the justice Of the
cause for which you 20.
THE reason Of your going TO Darling
ton is caused by the dispensary law, and
IL 10 law as long as 1t stands on the
statute books, and until it il repealed, or
declared unconstitutional by the supreme
court. The newspapers have sown the
seed of discord by teaching you that there
are portions of the law which invade
private rights. They know that when
they say that, that they lie. The right to
search private houses on warrant is as
old as the law itself. They know that
they are not telling the truth when they
try to make you believe that those men in
Darlington were defending their liberties.
II said in my message Co the legislature,
that a large force Of constables would not
be necessary il the police OF the towns
would enforce the law, but they would
not do this. The dispensary is not the
issue now, but so long as it is on the
statutes, SO help me God, intend to en-
force 1t.
1T is not question of politics, to be
fought out by ball and powder, but by
the ballot box. So much for the opinions
that you are going to hold as tyranny.
When the news came of the trouble at
Darlington, God knows that was never
more shocked. When the officers Of the
law were shot down, was horrified. The
sheriff telegraphed me he was powerless.
My first and natural impulse was TO ap-
peal to the military of Columbia What
did they dor They surrendered inglori-
ously the honor of being In the service of
their state, but thank God, there are men
left who will obey orders, and not be
swayed from duty by adverse political
opinions.
1.-TWO companies at Florence and Sum-
Ger, did likewise when the action at Co
lumb was known. We then see the
spectacle of the adjutant general running
over the state trying to- get men TO
do their duty. When ordered out, the
Fourth brigade of Charleston-that crack
command-all they did was TO dicker
with me as to what was their duty.
Those towards in Charleston did like
those I'm Columbia. Withouta company
at my command. began to cast about to
see what could do to uphold the dignity
of the law. Thank God, have found
them in you.
"You are going on n delicate and dan
Eerous mission. You must remenber
that the Darlington people are your fell
low-citizens, but they are in insurrection,
and 1t is necessary for you TO go there to
uphold the law. 1 learn that they de-
stroyed state dispensary. Nobody did
this but the ex-barkeepers and their hire
lings.
'You 20 rs an arm Of the law, and you
must treat the Darlington people with
consideration, Iut II you are ordered TO
shoot, you must do IL, or anarchy will
prevail in this state. hope to restore
you TO your homes as early as possible,
but the law must be upheld, or the state
governments will be the laughing stock OF
the world This ought to be proud day
for you. In after years you can hand