The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-04-04
THE DARLINGTON TROUBLE.


news was flashed over the State that
United States troops had seized the
State House the night before the assem-
bling Of the Legislature. indignation
on the part of the inhabitants of the
cities because they have been taught to
believe by the newspapers that personal
rights and liberties have been invaded,
and that Tyrant Tillman has t~rampled
them under foot. Indignation on the
part of the country people because they
know it is a lie, that it is simply the old
political fight Of go and 1872 which has
blazed up and the ~dispeusary has been
taken as a pretext. The struggle in
South Carolina has been that of Democ-
racy against %aristocraoy, the people
against the oIigarchy. The people
captured the Government and intend to
hold it, as they have shown by their
actions yesterday and day before. 1t is
a wonder We got through the campaign
of 80 without conflict and bloodshed.
1t is TO be hoped that the strife will now
end and that reason will return to both
factions and that in the future we will
have one rule-that of law.
That's my rule, the only n have
ever tried to enforce, aud I shall not
depart from my previous record. [ will
add that the dispensary has come to
stay and that the enforcement of this
law 10 the future will be more rigid
than it has ever been. The blood
which has been shed at Darlington aud
in the enforcement of the
.dispensary wasa necessary sacrifice to
the moloch Of whiskey aud bis insur-
is the last expiring agonies of
the whiskey ring.
Among the exciting events Of Mon
day at the State capital we make note Of
the following from the Nea0s and
Courier correspondent at that point. 1t
only shows how determined the Gear is
to trample down and humiliate all who
oppose him. Men. whether in the
militia or not. have the right to decide
for themselves what is their duty. and
if, like the Newberry company. they de-
eide to withdraw from a service which
they consider degrading. they have the
right SO to do. To be insulted by the
Governor because of their decision is a
wrong Of heiuous character. aud no
right feeling man would have done it.
Note that John Gary Evans, father of
the amended ~dispepsary bill, and can
didate for Governor, was the tool chosen
for doing the congenial work of black
guarding men in their absence. Evans
now figures as Judge Advocate General.
evidently expects to make political
out Of current events. That
blood has been shed be cares not a fig.
This is what took place: The first
event Of stirring interest in the Capital
this morning was the action Of the New
berry company, which had charge of the
telegraph Offices and did guard duty at
the depo's, Capital aud elsewhere. in
throwing up its arms and disbaDdiDg
just as so. many other companies in the
State had done. This was the first
company 10 the State to come to the
iu response to the Governors
call.
The captain after a consultation with
ais men this morning wrote the Governor.
the following:
COLUMBIA, S. G., April 2, 1894.
To his ExcelleucyI B. R. Tillman, Governor
Of South Carolina-Dear Sir have the
honor to inform you that we, the Newberry
Rifles, have performed the duties assigned us,
that of guarding the State House and tele-
graph offces-tbe latter duty being exceed
ipgly distasteful to the entire command, and
as the company responded to your order
to appear here under the belief that
they were needed for the purpose >of
protecting life and property, and not
the purpose Of exercising a scrutiny over
the private affairs of the citizens OF South
Carolina, "a duty not only distasteful, but, in
the judgment Of the company, unnecessary
and calculated to irrita,e the people all the
more under the present state of affairs, the
members Of the company, not caring to be
subjected TO such orders in the future, beg
herewith to tender their resignation and
to say that their arms, etc, are at your COM
mand. S J. ~McCAUGHRlS,
Captain Newbery Rifles.
CT. Wearn, Orderly Sergeant.
He received the following in reply:
Capt, ST.. McCaughrin-Sir Turn over to
Col. j.. G. Watts, assistant Adjutant aud In
spector General, the arms aud accountrements
10 your possession belonging to the State inl-
mediately. Arrange for the delivery of all
other State property you may have as soon as
practicable. Col. Watts will arrange to fur
nish you traosportion. B.. R.. TILLMAN,
Governor and Commander-in-Chief.
Approve your hotel bill and send to me for
payment.
At 5 o'clock this afternoon three uniformed
companies and three companies of citizen vol
unteers quartered at the ,Peuitentiary, were
in front of the walls. State Senator
Johs Gary Evans addressed them and said
that he was present, acting in the capacity OF
Judge Advocate General, to read the follow