The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-12-05
HIS LAST MESSAGE.
TCosTINUED FROM PAGE ONE.

Ing political views at OLner points, 1
notified the authorities of the Coast
Line Railroad and of the telegram COM
panies that took possession of the
telegraph lines and railroad, forbade
the transmission of any messages ex-
cept those on business, and ordered
that no trains should be furnished ex-
cept to the State. The telegraph peo-
pie objected, the Postal Telegraph
Company reluctantly yielding obedi-
ence: but the Western Union Com
pany had to be served with an injuc-
ton by Judge Watts, and afterwards
took forcible' possession by means of
the military. The railroad authorities
consented cheerfully to comply with
the terms of the order, and much credit
is due this line, as we'll as all others in
the State, for the hearty cooperation
which they rendered the State Govern
ment in moving the militia and volun-
teers.
Sunday evening, having arranged
for transportation and provided tents,
and commissary stores, l Iordered Gen
eral Richbourg to take all the uniform
ed companies then in the city except
two-the Edgefeld Rifles and the
Rifles-to Darlington by
special train, which he did, reaching
there at 10 o'clock Sunday night. l
cannot 60 into details of the military
operations, or rather the occupation OF
Darlington and of Florence, during
the five succeeding days. By Monday
night all of the Constables had been
heard from and were safe. This re-
lieved my own and the public suspense
very much; and. after keeping the
troops at the two points until the Cor
oners inquest had been held. which
the constables attended in order to
testify, and having had a conference
with some of the leading citizens OF
the town of Darlington, from whom
assurances were received,
the commanding General advised me
that peace and order were restored,
and the troops were ordered home, be-
ing broughtto Columbia before they
were dismissed. They were dismissed
on April 7th, having been paid off in
full. The volunteers and other COM
panies which had reached the city af-
ter the departure of the troops for
Darlington on Sunday evening had pre-
viously been yaid off, and returned to
their homes on Tuesday. The total
cost for transportation, subsistence and
compensation of the troops for the en-
tire affair, including interest till jan
uary 1st on the money, which l Dor,
rowed from the Carolina National
Bank, will be $13, ,S9S.75. The vouch-
ers and all the papers are in the hands
of the Comptroller-General, and provi-
sion will have to be made in the next
Bill to pay this sum, to
relieve me and the gentlemen who en-
dorsed my personal obligation, which
was given for the money.
A strenuous effort has been made by
the newspapers which represent the
antiDispensary element to show that
there was no need for the expenditure
of this money, and that there was no
need of sending the troops to Darling
ton at all. Falsehoods have been
published without number, and every
manner of fatuous or specious argu-
ment has been used to bolster up the
position. But do not hesitate to say
that it is the best spent money that
has every gone through my hands as
Governor; and the demonstration
which was made that South Caroliua
had q Governor who had the will,
while he had the moral and physical
backing of enough lovers of law and
order, to repress lawlessness and en-
force respect and obedience to the law,
has been and will be worth to the State
a thousand times what it cost. Re
member that the officers of the State,
bearing the commission of the Chief
Magistrate and in the discharge of
their duty, had been attacked seeming
ly by generalization. They were be-
ing hunted like wild beasts, after the
conflict, for the purpose of flyching. A
Jury of the County has since declared
that the two principals who were in
dicted for murder were not guilty
thus showing that the charges that
they had provoked the riot and
wantonly shot down the citizens
are false. The States property
in the two Dispensaries had been
destroyed or stolen. A large number
of the cr -. militia companies OF the
State-men who were wont to cover
themselves with glory every Fourth
of .July-had point blank refused to
obey orders. What was the spectacle
we presented abroad? What would
have been the effect had I found no
militia to 60 to Darlington, or, having
found them, had failed to send them
there? Would not the lawless whis-
KEY element have felt that it had tri-
umphed? Would not the mob have
felt emboldened to attack the Constab-
ulary elsewhere or have murdered
them in cold blood?. How would the
Constables have had the opportunity
to attend the inquest? How could
they have gone to trial in the County
without danger of being murdered2
But will not waste further time in
arguing the wisdom and necessity of
my action. The people have sustained
me in this, as they have in all my ef-
forts for the States welfare, and | can
afford to leave the newspapers and the
men belonging to the militia, whom
they encouraged to disgrace them
selves, and whom they have since
tried to vindicate, to a mutual adml-
ration. The newspapers must admire
the devotion to duty, the discipline
and the moral courage of the troops.
The troops cannot help having a high
appreciation of the patriotism, wise
counsel and good sense of the editors.
If our bonds are at a premium and
canital not afraid 10 seek investment