The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-05-15
CAROLINA'S BIG STORM CLOUD.
THE TILLMANITE LEADERS IN CON-
FERENCE AT COLUMBIA.

Gov. Evans Issues Fiery Address
Hearing on states Rights and Fed
eraI Interfcrencc-Judges Con ana
simOntOn Come in for Bitter De-
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Hand in
the Framing OF the Old ReEistra-
ton Law-The Fight Declared TO
BE One for White Supremacy in
the state.
Columbia, s. c., May 1.-THE forces Of
tbe political party in power are gather
ing here now to reach some decision as
TO the course they shall pursue in the
coming election which, under Judge
Gon's decision must be held with an open
ballot. Senators Tillmaa and Irby and
NcLaurin, and all the leaders arc here
Senator Irby's state executive committee
meets tomorrow to take action looking
TO the maintenance of white supremacy
Senator Tilman is at the executive man
sion i'm consultation with Gov. Evans 1t
looks now as if stormy times are ahead
Tonight the governor issued the fol-
lowing pronunciamento bearing on states
rights and federal Interference:
Fellow Citizens: In 1865, after the most
bloody struggle for principle in the his
tory of the world, South Carolinians laid
down their arms and accepted in good
faith the results of the war. The state
was put under martial law and under the
reconstruction act the ignorant slaves
whose fetters had just been broken, ma
nipulated by carpet-baggers from the four
quarters Of the earth, were placed in en-
tire control of our state government
After a farce of an election for delegates
to a constitutional convention, the con
stitution which has been our organic law
since 1868 was adopted at the dictate of
Gen Candy. The conditions which fol-
lowed, and the results of placing ignorance
and vice in the control of the government
are known of all men. This condition
lasted until 1876, when the oppression and
disagreement had rendered our people
SO desperate that with one impulse they
asserted their manhood and overthrow
the despotism Of the carpet-baggers and
resumed control of the states affairs
While the constitutionality of the recon-
structiOn act was never questioned by us
because We were Dowerless to resist, the
question of state sovereignty within the
limits prescribed in the constitution in
accordance with southern Interpretation,
has since been affirmed by repeated de-
cisiOns Of the supreme court of the United
States. That court even asserted that the
states had never been out of the union,
lAelCDN lN4fecLlN ueclaflnB lnNalQ the
acts OF congress, re-admitting them at-
ter recOnstruction The right Of a state
10 manage and direct its internal affairs
Without national interference is recognized
throughout the union, and it is no peculiar
or special claim on the part of South Car
olina to exercise that right so long as her
state officers and her general assembly
obey the constitution of the United States
and the laws Of congress-. This is so well
Teeognized that do not propose to discuss
j further, but feel that we can safely rely
upon the integrity and patriotism of the
supreme judges to reafiirm and maintain
The people of South Carolina have al
ways been law-abiding and respect the
constitution and courts of the United
STATES put when the judges OF those
courts wantonly invade and trample un-
der foot the recognized rights of our peo-
pie guaranteed by the federal constitu-
lion they have a right to assert them
selves and maintain their sovereignty and
Independence. This they have ever done
and VIII continue to do,and will resist with
all the means within their power the usur-
lauon and tyranny of partisan politicians
il. power who disgrace the judicial ermine.
we cannot nor have we the desire, to
resort 10 arms to resist his unjust de-
cree. but We can and viii expect the
united efforts of liberty-loving people to
Inwart the conspirators who are plotting
10 overthrow our civilization. In this
Struggle, We confidently rely on the sympa-
my and moral support of all lovers of
500 toro,,, soYe!nment and states rights
lhrou8nout the union. The sovereignty of
me states, within their proper spheres, is
as dear to Massachusetts and Ohio as it is
10 South Carolina and the principle can
not be struck down here without receiv-
4uS a mortal blow elsewhere.
~ is unfortunate that the passions and
pIeJuilces excited by the war in regard
10 lHe negro should influence the opinions
and feelings of judges in dealing with this
VA principle, but it will follow inevitably
tHat Ii this principle is once destroyed,
WIS country will be conVulsed with a rev.
OtuuQn Tor the restoration of the liberties
81 white men, that will far eclipse that
f~11p prr1a for rarr Ion
OF the blacks.
The restoration of white supremacy
az no placed in Office and in the lead
f5snlp OF the affairs of the state Wade
hampton as governor and afterwards
1&S & United States senator, and NJ. c. But
ltf, mted States senator Charles H.
smonton. chairman of the judiciary com
nutlee and leader Of the House of Rep
ieSehtatlves, later district and circuit
yu4se OF the United States court, and
1Su8 Z. sheppard, speaker of the House
VI Representatives lieutenant governor,
~ Iallerwards governor. In 1882, under
1aie leadership of these men, the legis-
Iature passed the laws known as the
lecIlon and registration acts" designed
~ preserve white supremacy and a white
@lIllIably and up to this proceeding no
HoIhplalnt has ever been heard of their
lHiJusllce, oppression or criminality. The
,I1en VINO dared to raise his voice
asdlnst them was denounced as an enemy
VI ms state. Those who were too young
70 hold offices and take part in such af-
,IS I@IS We're taught to respect these men as
Ydflots and their handiwork as The pal
Idulum OF our liberties. This regime, be-
coming arrogant and distasteful to a ma
;bLiy OF our people and repugnant in
ther policy to our Institutions was over
tthrown, and the people in 1890, by the cleo
uon OF B. r. Ifllman as COVER
nor, declared that it was not
1Her intention to create an oligarchy
When IN 1876 they threw off the yoke of
Jne negro and the carpet-bagger Two
@ppeals have been made to reverse this
Lelllct of the sovereign people but it
las been sustained each time with We
Aenent determination. The reform
movement had nothing to do with the elee-
s'qn aud registration laws. We received
sda "a legacy from the administra-
"a o. 1852. We have upheld them as
tue acts of the people and as a consti-
eluonal means of Representation
some Of these men who are responsible
a3r and who have enjoyed the benefits
Snd honors of Office under these laws
raEe turned upon their state since their
lFurement. By an appeal to one of the
p'lterst enemies of southern civilization
@ poutician who disgraces the judicial
Srmlne of the United States court and
lnasquerading. as a judge, they have sue
Ceeded in declaring the registration law
unconstitutional, null and void The
Shlet argument made before him was the
Of uf1