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' ISSUED SEMI-WEEKLY^ l. m. grists sons. Publishers, j % jfamilg $eirspaper: Jfor the {promotion of the political. Social. Agricultural and (Commercial interests of the people. J ter*1s?lbcop^mvkckSt^'1 " ESTABLISHED 185r?. YOKKVI.LLK S. C.. KKI DAY, DPX'KMMKI J 14. UKXL XO. 1 OO. I the pa: A Romance of the Ar Ity \V. < I liMO t'HAI'TKK VII I not live for it? I have no life, h; Hut in the hope that life may bring a, with it The bitter-sweet of vengeance." The gloomy painter would have s done much with the scene before us. ' The \\ihl and mystic imagination si would have made it one of supernat-. **' ?! I tfiPmiv:* innl t in. v t ?ii i i the I1* melancholy twilight, would have endo wed ilie dim shadows, lurking like ,,' l mi many spectres between the bald ' 1 cypress, with a ghostly character, and " niosi unhallowed purpose. Though familiar with such abodes. Singleton. *'v as he looked upon the strange group- s,: ings thrown along the sombre ground- rl work, was impressed with a lively w sense of its imposing felicity. They u' stood upon an island in the very cen- vt ire of the swamp?one of those little islands, the tribute ooze of numerous 111 minor watercourses, hardening into m solidity at last. These, beating their 'u feeble tides upon a single point, in process of time create the barrier VSl which is to usurp their own possessions. Here, the rank matter of the 1,1 swamp, its slinie and rubbish, resolv- l" ing themselves by a natural but rapid decomposition into one mass, yield the 1,1 thick luxuriance of soil from which :U springs up the overgrown tree, which throws out a thousand branches, and seems to have existed as many years? Hl in whose bulk we behold an emblem I'*1 of majesty, and. in whose term of life, standing in utter defiance of the sweeping hurricane, we have tin image of strength which compels our admirtiiion. and sometimes the more elevated ticknowledgment of our awe. Thus, ' ' gathering on this insulated bed. a 'n 1.... I w..l..mn cfi,i'i.s?os minified their gaunt. s|<eelral forms with the ,J<' verdant freshness of the water oak? the rough simplicity ami height of the 11 pine all intertwined and bound toget tier in Hie common guardianship of Wi the spot. |?y tile bulging body of the luxuriant grape-vine, almost rivalling in thickness, and far surpassing in 1,11 strength, the trees from which it de- m; pended?these formed a natural roof ?1 to the island, circumscribing its limits l'1 even more effectually than did the s'* narrow creek by which it had been isolated, ami through which the trib- s,l tile waters of this wide estuary found 11,1 their way. after a few tniles of con- 't' tratted journeying, into the bed and a" bosoin of the Ashley. 'ei A con|de of huge fires, which our party had seen in glimpses while approaching. were in full blaze upon the island: one, the largest, near its cenire: the other somewhat apart, upon a little isthmus which it thrust forth a" into the mouth of the creek. Around the former lay a singular assemblage w' >f persons, single, or in groups, and VV1 m every position. These were not l'r more tlian twenty in all. but so dis- :,n posed as to seem much more nutnerous to the casual spectator. Three, in l'" the glare of the tire, sat upon a log at s'( cards, one at either end. and the third. th si|tiat upon the ground beside it. A en few slept: some were engaged in eon- " versa!ion. while on.-, more musical ' than his neighbors, broke into a song ha of some length, in which the current in ' ' ' .I. I l.iio II >ii u:ti ion oi hit- iiuii^.t ...... underwent improvisation. A Stollt lie- " Km prepared the evening meal, and ,a passed between the card-players and b> the lire to their occasional inconven- *'ii icnce; their sharp but unheeded denun- a ciations being freely bestowed at every th repetition of the offence. The dress w and accoutrements of this collection were not less novel, and far more ni outre, than their several positions and eil employments. Certainly. taste had m but little share in their toilet arrange- "i ments. since the hair of some of them *u flew dishevelled in the wind, or lay lb matted upon the brows, unconscious of a comb. The faces generally of the ' party were smeared, and some of them ei absolutely blackened, by the smoke of la the pine wood tires which at night Hi were kept continually burning around " them. This had most effectually be- f" grimed their features, and their gar- ra meats had not failed to partake of loiing. These, too. were as ei \arioits as the persons who wore them. l'< The ragged coat, the round-jacket, tl and sometimes the entire absence of at bmh. in the case of some individual >1 otherwise conspicuous enough, de- >' stroved all chance of uniformity in the <*; Hoop. There was hut one particular If in which their garb seemed generally it to agree, and that was in the coottskin tl cap which surmounted the heads of ui most of them worn jauntily upon the al >i.|e of the head, slips that flapped ti over the ears, and tin- tail of the aid- m mill, depending from front or rear, tassel fashion, aceording to the taste of u| tlie wearer. Considering sueh an as- S selilhlage. SO disposed. so hilldted. ill T eoinieetion with tlu* situation and eir- < < cniiistsuiees in which we find them. e? and we shall form 110 very imperfect ??t idea of tile moral effort which their ;ippearaiice must have h;ol upon the ai new comers. The boisterous laugh, the si angry sharp retort, the ready song a from -mine sturdy huechanul. and the n silent sleeper undisturbed amid all the tl iiI >;ii*. made. <>f themselves. ?'i picture it in the mind rioi likely to he soon forgotten. Then. when we heboid the ii rlamitm of the toreh in the deep dark w which it only fi.I- a iiiomeril dissipates, ei and which crowds hark. a< with a ip olid hody. into ihe spot front whieli la il has l>ee|| leinpofafily driven the e. *liuhi tlashimr a Ions; and reilecied haek from the sullen waters id" the creek a and iisteii. at the same moment, to |. lie* ery of ihe set ell owl as the in- Il trader .- ar?-s him from his pepeli the ei plaint oi the w hipi rwill. in return. w as if e\?-ri the clamor of tin- ohseene o hird had in it somcthitii; of svinpa- Ii th\ for the wounded spirit these, with th.- ei'oakitnr of the fiot-s in millions, j. with whieh tin- swamp was a dwelling tj plan- anions a thousand, were all well k ealeuhited to awaken tie- most indif- si l. lent speetalor. and to eoinpel a sense tl of tin- solemn pi< tines.|ue even in the p mind of tie- hahitually frivolous and uii t hmklny RTISAN aerican Revolution it i: sm ms With the repeated signals which thej ..I I ft-.. Ill their linntl'ics tin tilt pearance of the new coiners, tin uttered groups had simultaneous!) arted to their feet, and put them Ives in a state of readiness. Tht gnals were familiar, however, and ?>ke of friends in the approaching rsons; so that, after a few moments hustle and activity, they generally ink back sluggishly to their old ocipatioiis - the caro-players to finish leir game, and the less speculative, icir sleep. Their movement, hower. gives us a better opportunity to irve.v their accoutrements. The long, nnbrous ritle seemed the favorite capon, and in the hands of the diminive. sallow but black-eyed and nturous dweller in the swamps of ie lowlands, across whose knee we ay heie and there see it resting, it ay co ipdently be held as fatal at a indred yards. A few of them had stols- the common horse-pistol?a capon of little real utility under any rcurustances. Hut a solitary musket, id that. too. without the bayonet, was be seen in the whole collection; and ougli ted one of the party present it had his horse hidden in the swamp ound him, yet not one in five of the lers possessed the sabre, that most fective weapon of cavalry. These V..f til he lil-ovided and at the ex nse of the enemy. The immediate appearance of Major ngleton. as he followed Humphries > the bank, once more called them to eir feet. He had been expected, yet w of them personally knew him. ley knew, however, that he was high favor with Governor Rut ledge. and >re his commission. ??f this they had en apprised by Humphries, who had rit the recruiting officer of the troop, icy now crowded around him witli a ow ??f curious examination, which is narrow and close without being illusive. Willi that manly, yet complaisant bit which distinguished him, lie soon ride himself known to them, and his letting speech won not a little upon eir hearts. He unfolded his commis 11. delivered an address from the exutive. in which a direct and warm peal was made to their patriotism, id concluded with some remarks of s own t<> the same effect, which were I enthusiastically received. His frank, arless manner, line eye, and manly. ugh smooth and youthful face, took mirahly with them, and at once spoke vi.rably to their minds in support of s pretensions to govern them. This intnand they at once tendered him: id though without the material for a rce called for by the commission liieh he bore. yet. in those times, it is enough that they loved their leadand were not unwilling to tight with i enemy. Major Singleton was count to serve his country in an humbler mmand than that which his coinmis n entitled li i 111 to hold. Acting, en-fore. ;is ttieir captain mi- iin? prt-sI In- maiIt* Humphries his lii-nt<.-iuint. iiti they hail long known, ami he was favorite among tlu-ui. lit*, indeed, nl hi-eii chiefly instrumental in hringg togvthei their seattereil elements, nt in thus forming the nucleus of a rps. which, in the suhsei|uent wartv. coinrihuteil in no slight degree the release of the country from forgii thraliloin. In lluiii|ihries llicv had good olticer and every cotilideiH'c, ough it was obvious enough, that, bile full of courage, calm, collected, id not easily moved, lie yet lucked any of those essentials of superior titration and hearing, without which ilitia men are Hot often to be held in let. Me was not sufficiently their ipei ior to stand apart and to command em: and the inferior mind will nev look to its ei|ti:tl in the moment of in-rgetiey. Though ready and acute i-itigh in the smaller details of milirv adventure the arrangement of ie ambuscade, the rapid blow at the ar. or tin- plan for striking at the iiigers of an enemy lie was yet lln-r apt t-> go forward with, than M unmatid. his party, lie trusted ratli to his presence than to the superior live of his character, to urge upon lent the their duties: el. conscious of this, though ready at I times to lead, he vet shrank from a- ueeessiiv of commanding. This ipucity can only result successfully ' m an habitual exercise of authority, was with no small satisfaction ic re fore, thai he placed his recruits inler tin- control of .Major Singleton though, it may be said, that such a jinsfer of ids command vv; s rulhci i11iii;iI than real. Humphries still 'iiuseliiig. in great part, flit- particle! business of adventure whicli ingi' toii was the better able to direct In* l:i111-|- hail y?-t to ii? ?|??i ' * n knowllss?* of localities ami men. whioli i1111 niily hi' uliiaiiii'il l?y actual exrrieiice. "A nil rinu. major, s..I. tiers without mis ar? iin| apt to liulil v\?-|| Come r. with inc. a id I si *i our armory. It'? Ill* il" o||o. |n lit* sill"!', to I host* IISoi a lioiior. lint il must serve when i.io's it.i choice. This way. sir h if ! ft. Here. Tom. hrinu a chunk." The hlack Ifil itio way with a hla/.in liraiiil. until ihfir farther progress as arroslfil hy the waters of tIf i'oi-U In the ffiitt'f of I lie stroaii low a cypress of iuiiiifiisf si/.o. uiiicl riior than any of its surroiimliiu i 111 >a 11 ioi i s. ,\ I i i 111 i 11 u Simjlfloii ! ail. Iluiii|ihrifs wailoil into tin- watoi 'most up in his miilillo. until In nehoil tho trio, into which, takiiii 1.1.; I ,V ||,.. lU-n-lt II. nt. I. : in iiinu in :i f? w in.tiii.np iih 11: i It' ;i <l>.*/.*n ti n suhivs. w ! 1 i * I? ii** :11"t -? iln* *ti|i**r. h?* llir<*u ft*'ii itn l*> th?* l*:ink. This is :ill mil" st?.?*k m trail.*. ma I : 11 It I V**U lis* V*? V'tlll* <*l|i*il*<> t.f t ||<*II il \\t- ?aii :i l><*tt?*r. This, if n**u iti.* sinus t.f ii,.* w?*ath?*r. w. Ik 11 <|t* hi*f..n* |*>im. M.-aiiwhih*. :i: i?* stall's ?|. tli.'v will iinsw.-r <iti I. Sfllt pill |tt?S?* " Siliul.tt.il pi.-SSftl III)* puillls t.f tilt .ip**ii*' s.*v?*r?ll\ i.i Hi** furlli. I.*.* :I , inn tin- elasticity of the steel, then accommodating the hilt t<i his grip. declared himself suileil. Humphries made a selection after him, and the remaining; f?uir were subsequently distributed among; chosen men, to whom commands in the little corps were assigned. As rebels, heretofore, the short-shrift and sure cord must have been their doom, if taken. The commission of the state, and a due register of their names in tite books of the orderly, now secured fhein in the immunities of regular warfare, and made that comparatively innocent which before was obnoxious to doom and deg' nidation. We have spoken of two separate > Pies as conspicuous upon the island ' !*.. -h.i.pi cii'h i?f S!inu)t>htn flu* i UU* upon tli** cviitiv. tin; other, and stnnll er one. at its remotest extremity. Of I the use made of the former, we have ; already seen something: the other. ' while it had caught the eye of Major Singleton, had heen too remote to enable him to distinguish the etnployi nieiit or character of the various per, sons who yet closely encircled it. lie could see that there were several flg> uivs sitting around the brands, which , seemed to have been but loosely thrown together, as they had now fallen apart, and only gave forth a Wickering blaze at intervals, denying that constant light, without which lie could not hope to gain any knowledge of the persons, even at a far less distance. These persons had not moved at his approach, and had remained stationary all the while he was employed in making himself known t those who were to be his comrades. This alone would have been enough to attract his attention: and. in addition. lie saw that those around him. when bending their glances off in the direction of his own. shook their heads with an air of solemnity, and. though saying nothing. were yet evidently influenced by a knowledge of some circumstances connected with the mysterious group, of a painful character, observing the inquiring look of Major Singleton, Humphries approached, and whispered him that the party at the opposite lire consisted of Krampton. his two sons, and the dead body of his wife, and proposed that they should go to him. The major at once consented. "You'll see a sad sight. Major Singleton a sad sight!-- for the man is crazy, let them say what they may. lb- don't know half the time what lie says or does, and lie scarcely feels j anything." They moved over in the prescribed direction, and approached without disturbing the chief personage of the group. The elder son. a youth of twenty, looked up at their coming, but said nothing. It was evident that he. and he alone, had been weeping. The other son. a tall title-looking lad of sixteen, seemed inspired with harsher feelings as his eye gazed from the face of the father to that of the mother, whose dead body lay between the two, her head on the lap of the elder son. "over whose arms her hair streamed l????St* Iv?long, and delicately brown I in.I She had evidently been a woman of some attractions. Her person was well formed and justly proportioned, neither masculine nor small. Her features were soft and regular. The face was smooth, but had been bruised, seemingly as if she had fallen upon it: and there were blotches upon the cheek and forehead, which may have been the consequence of blows, or might be the natural evidence of that decay which was now strongly perceptible. The face of the chief mourner, who sat silent at her feet, looking forward into Iter face, was a tine one. as well in its mould as in its expression. It was that of a splendid savage. There was enough of solemn ferocity in it for the murderer. enough of redeeming sensibility to soften, if not to subdue, the other more leading attributes of its character. His skin .was dark like that of the pie generally of that neighborhood. His eyes were black and piercing. and a burning spot on each cheek ' seemed to have borrowed from the red glare of the lire at his side a corresponding intensity of hue. His lips ' were parted: and the lower jaw seeinI ed to have been thrown and kept down spasmodically. iiiiouku mr .i|>rnui< glared iIn- lips of the small ami white teeth, sometimes closed together by a sudden convulsive jerk, but immediately relaxing again and resuming their divided position. lie took no sort of notice of the new coiners, until, throwing himself alongi side of the younger boy. Humphries took i In- hand of the mother into his 1 own. and ga/ed over upon her face, i I'Vnmptoii then gave him a look?a single look: and as their eyes met. those of Humphries intuitively tilled i with water. The bereaved wretch, as i lie saw Ibis. laughed sneelillgly altd ' shook his head. There was no misun. derstamling the rebuke. It clearly . scorned the sympathy, and called for ! the sterner tribute of revenge. The . elder son then carried on a brief conversation in an under torn- with the lieutenant, which was only audible in I part to Singleton, who sat on the root of a tree opposite. He gave the pari lieulars of bis mother's removal in . this dialogue, and of the resolute dog g. ilin ss with which his father had i hitherto iesisied the burial of the body. "It must lie buried at once." said 1 Humphries more earnestly to the . youth. The lather heard him. ami s glaring upon him with the eye of a I tiger. I lie desolate maII belli forward ami placed bis hand resolutely upon ' tile ImmIv. .IS if determined not to suffer its removal. "Nay. but it must, l-'rampton: ? thete's ||o use ill keeping it lle|-e; and. indeed, there's no keeping it much lotii gt-r Hear to reason, man. ami be per : *l"l i?- i?-rs.in aihln-ssi-il si k his In-ml. mikI niiiintiii11*I his iiuhl n|>n r lie <* 11*| s< f>if a 111< 11i<-i11 in sili-nri* : Itni ;,:l ..ii a siiihh n. >1:1 If :i risimr ! > itis : I'.. I. In sli-M-k his lists li.ivily ;it lit. s|.?mk?-i\ \\ hiI his |.\|(i'i-ssi<>n was s<? - l ull r.ii> iliiii 11 uiii|.liri<-s . |.;ii'<-.l I'M. .iii?l i-\i-r\ niMiiifiii fX|M'i*l?'i| i :ui :ilI.-irk. ""V -?i Ii.iVi- lii-.l i-i in.-. IIiini|>lii?ii-s!" In- . vi liii11I with ilittiiiilty. as if i 1111 ..in;11 his ch-in-h.-.l li-i-th. "Y??u haw I li'.l I" tin-. v.iii saiil In1 sliMiihl In h"i" uh'ii- i- In " why haw vmi nut s hroiiuht him"" i" "Win." hi'..iii;ht wli'i"" ili-mainli-il tin* "iln-r i-ariii-stly. "WIm!" ami as tli?* maniar half shrii-ki-il "ill iln- w.ifil in ?in-i-rin?r repetition. lit- pointed t the body, while he cried, with :i tierce lough, between each pause in his words?"who! lid he not strike her?strike her to the ground?trample upon her body? great Clod!?upon her?my wife?" And. as the accumulated picture of his wife's injuries rose up before his mind while he spoke, his speech left him. and he choked, till his face grew livid in their sight, and yet ho had no tears. He soon recovered sufficiently to speak again with something like a show of calmness. "You said you were my friend?that yon would tiring him to me?that I should kill him here?here even while mine eyes yet looked upon her. Liar! where is he? Why have you not bronchi him"" "I ;iiu no liar. Frampton. and you kti<>w it i never promised to brine tin* dragoons to you. but I Jim willing to lead you to litem." "Do I want a leader for that??you shall see:" and he relapsed after this reply, into the same solemn stupor which had marked his looks at the lirst coming of the two. Humphries ( pl'oeeeded with temper and coolness ? "It is time. Frampton, to be a man to bear up against your losses, and think how to have revenue for them." "I am ready. Speak not to me of revenge?speak not: 1 am thirsting? thirsting for blood!" was the reply. "Vet. here you sit moping over your losses, while the red-coats are in the swamp av. hunting us out in our own grounds ?Hack's dragoons, with Travis tit their head." The man was on his feet in an instant. There was a wild glow* now visible in his face, which completely superseded the sombre tlxedness of its previous expression. All now was summary impatience. "Come!" said he, waving his hand impatiently, and convulsively grasping ( his bosom with his fingers?"come!" "It is well. I now see you are in the right mood for vengeance, and I have made all arrangements for it. Here ^ is a sword: and this, Framptnn, is our commander, .Major Singleton. He is , now our leader, and will put us on , the dragoons' track in short order." The maniac turned stupidly to Singleton. and bending his head with a strange simper on his lips, simply re- ' prated tin* word "Come!" with which lie showed his willingness for (lie adventure. Humphries whispered Major Singleton to take him at his word, anil move him off to tin* rest of the party, while he gave directions for the interment of the body. Singleton did so.j and without any show of reluctance^ 1 I'm nipt on followed him. once did he ' stop suddenly, turn quickly round, and seem about to retrace his steps; but ' seeing it. Singleton simply observed, as if to himself? "We shall soon lie upon the dru- ' goons, and then?" The object was gained, and the dis- : trai led, desolate creature followed, like ' a tame dog. the lead of his command- ' er. He listened in gloomy silence to ! . 1 ? .... ,1.... . t cr i< upon. !'<>r tin- encounter with Travis. ' lit* knew enough of that sort of tight- ' ing to see that they were judiciously ' made: but for this he did not care. All plans are necessarily slow and tedious to the I that craves for vengeance; ami l-Tamptou. satisfied with tile prom- ' Ise which they conveyed to ids mind : of the revenge which he desired, of- 1 fered no suggestion, nor interfered in 1 tile slightest degree with any of their plans. Still, not a word which had been uttered among them escaped his appreciation. He was now fully nwak- 1 eiied to a single object, and the reasoning faculties grew tributary to the desire of his mood when that became concentrated. He saw thai the pro- 1 posed operations were the best that could be devised for the encounter, and 1 he looked to that now for the full sal- ' isfaetioti of his thirst. Humphries having given his diree- 1 tions duly for the in'erment of the body, now returned to join in tlie de- ' liberations with the rest. His opinion 1 Wits adopted by Major Singleton, who. ' giving orders that till things should be in readiness, himself saw to the execution of certain minor resolves; then, dispersing his sentries, he proceeded. with the coolness of tin old soldier, to enjoy the three hours of slumber which had been allotted before the necessary start to intercept I i:i vis. It was an hour uftrr midnight when [ tin- guards aroused them with tile preparations fur their movement. The night was still, clear. ami ralin. The 1 winds Were sleeping. <?r only strove with a drowsy nioveinent along the tops of the trees, the highest above the swamp. Sweetly the murmurs of the ereek around them, swollen by the i 11IIiin of the tide from the sea. whivh is there unite pereeplilde. broke Upon ' the ear. as the waters, in feeble ripples. strove against the little island, and brought with them a sense of freshness from the deep, which none feels more pleasantly than he who has been long wandering in the southern forests. Not a lip had yet spoken among the troops, and. save the slight ' cry of the capricious insect, and the ! sound produced by their own early movement in bustling into action, there ' was nothing in that deep stillness and ' depth of shadow calculated in the slightest degree to impair the feelings of solemnity which, in his own abode, silence, the most impressive of all the forest divinities, exacts from his subjects. With a ready alacrity, obeying ' the command of their leader, the troopers wei? soon in saddle forming a compact body of twenty men. I'Tamploi) ami his two sons ineluded: the very bovs being thus early taught 1 in the duties of the partisan, follow - 1 ingsuch order as the ineuualities of the 1 I\~;11?? I iip.ni tli.-ir nuitf tlmmtfli lutfc Mini lliioimh briar. sI.iwkIi. f.nvst ami. rnniiinu wab-i a r<nih\ rinryv.l ami riri'iiitniis, ami ma always without its l?-ril. In lhr?-<- Imnrs. ami nv tin- ila.v- ' lis;lit v. i ila|.|.|i'<| ili,. ,|ii 11 nasi, limy skirl.-.l tlm narrow riil?<. wlmtv tlm iIT.111>1.*11m111 i.f Siiml.'ii>11 plarr.l Ilmin. imI nVfi" w hi? 11 tlm si-outjn|r party of Till vis was <* x | *<*t *< I I pass. Tlmiv. wiili li.islil?* anxmtv. ami well pivpar I. limy i'.ililiilflil |y awaii.'.l Mm arrival ..I Ihf ,'imiii\ 'I' ItK < IXTINTKP. ?( "What 111:11 i I it -:i t i >i liavr ymi t'"f a p<<silii.n in tin- w.-atlmr btnvau'.'" ask. .I tlm i-liiff. "WVII." tvplmil tin- lioprfill appliratil. "I ?mr w..n a prism in a ipmssim; <'.i|il?*st " I'hila.l.-lpliia I'm - REV. C. W.CREIGHTON'S CASE Deposed Preacher Reviews Work of Trial Committee. CLAIMS HIS VINDICATION IS COMPLETE The Whole Story as Seen From the Standpoint of the Accused?He Proves to His Satisfaction That His Charges Were True and Holds That the Verdict of the Committee Sustains Him In His Position. The Christian Appeal. Dee, ?>. We have delayed lh<* paper this week t" got in a hrief report of tintrial i?f the editor '?f this paper. We will aihl further matter next Week. When L. F. Meaty read the report nf tin- eiiinmittee of trial in the ease at' < \ \V. Croightou. A. (*oke Mann arose anil said. "I rise to a i|iiestinii of personal privilege. 1 have no fritIfisill to offer of the eoDllllitlee. hut if that verdict is it righteous verdict then three-fourths of the South Carolina conference should plead guilty to the charge of which c. W. Creighton has heen convicted, for we have talked it from the mountains to the seashore. The following is a list of the names if the committee who signed the report of trial: (i. W. Walker, (president of the negro college. Augusta. (!a>: D. M. Mcl.eod. A. N*. Brunson. J. IV Crout. C. r. Herliert. W M. Duncan. li I. Holroyd. IV Tiller. J. U. I'eekwlth. I. I. I'edenhaugh. In such proceedings in the Metholist church a majority of the committee decides and the custom is for the minority to sign the report. It will appear that the names of thiemen who sat in that trial do not appear to the report?household names In every Methodist family In the state ?.1. I'. Traywlck. W. H. Ariail and W. if Wharton. These names will he immortal in the history of South Carillon Methodism. When the lovers of truth, liberty ind justice shall erect to perpetuate the memory of brave and true men :i <kv-ob-reing statue of pure while, merit wi"it 11 ( n the (oiiiuost i'hiiiiiI names of Traywlck. Wharton ami A ria il. Rings and Results. For :i number nf years the existence f a Ftlng if thi' South Carolina conference has been boldly asserted and the charge is believed by many to be true. What are we to understand by itch a charge? A ring is defined to be "a eombination of persons to control itliees. or for other selfish purposes: a ligue." Can it be proved that sueh i eonibintition exists in our conference? What is the nature of the evilenee and how much is necessary to mhstnntiate the charge? Proving the ^xisten a Hug or unlawful enmnnatioii for selfish ends is very mtrh ike proving a conspiracy If a coexistence of a conspiracy and its purnose that would he held Sll'flclent lo stablish tin- comldnation. Put such no-alive evidence is hard to obtain, and f shut un to su'-h evidence it would lie i difficult matter to make out a case n many cases. I'm such evidence is not essential and the charge can be ' roved in another way and that urndusively. Conduct, acts, speech, cir-umsiaiices, place, time and temper nay all lie facts in proving: a conspiri v and when proved, establish conllisively tile existence of sueh a com inalion. Indeed circumstantial cvlIctic e is in many cases more cmiclu<ive and much more reliable, ami hel'efolV. safer t (lit 11 the positive dalconents of sworn witnesses. N'ow t is not likely thai a member of a ring to control appointments, offices nut such thintrs would give his partiers away, but are there not facts sufieient to establish tin- charge without positive evidence? We shall consider n their order circtiinsPinces that show inclusively eoneert of action for delliile ptirnoses, if not the existence of i ombinalioii in the* conference. 1. t hie set of men organize tlv onfel'eliee. select the tlielllliers of all ' HIiiiitleeS and so distribute tllclll clves in tin- organization that they iii- able to keep lllelllSelVeS full V i 11 ' ruled of everything that takes place, aspire action, shape movement*, control measures and bring to hear active nlhieiiees to promote or defeat any ind every action as they may approve r disapprove The organization of Im i-iiiitVivm-i* represents them. and .hey are represented in tin* nrgatii/.ulixii. They eontintn* in otliee. :nnl when uiii- nf tln-ir iiuinliiT. for any mason. is furri-il to rntire. limy seleet lis sueeessnr. They exereise thepnw i of a self-perpetuating hmly. ami hat in direet violation .f tlm law of [In* t-hureh to wliirh they belong. Th?*y shelve the men who f<?i* tny reason they do not sympathize ivith and approve their methods and promote those who stand hy them and mpport etieh other in doing it They agree upon a method of foreing up their salaries in violation >f the law of the ehuivli I A Idshop has ptlldiely defended getting together." and said: "If there 's a ring and you've got any hraili< you'll get in it " ."i. t'omhinatioiis have Iteen reported h\ those who were supposed to have know h-dge of their exi'tnnee: Put f..r soiiu reason were disaffeetod for a time. Many other eireumstanees eolild be adduei-d to estalilish ill a legal way I In* evistetiee of a ring or i iiinhiii.ation. hilt We rest the ease its ahove. We - ! II.. L ...... I, nave siini'ii wnai i- ui'ii'i mil mil of which many <*?>m|>lsiiu. ? 1111>i11;?(i<111v always |??leerlain well known results- liny operate in a similar way whether |?IiIi?-aI ? r ecclesiastical in Ihfir character. ami those results point hack to a cause i in11 i11ati it. ami become ctimulalive proof nf i IS existence Tllat Slldl a combination as we have ilelineil. an nruaiii/.atiiin within an nrtrnnizalioii. a "system" within a system, will tjive l"<?rth eertain results ami work great injustiie in others ami serious ilamnge to the ehureh no intelligent man will 11lleStloll. ? rgailizdl for Sellisll etuis, selfishness controls the "system" takes eaiW-<ti! its own ami in this we have eonelusive proof of its existence, that its selfishness, its injustice ami its meat possibility of injury to hotli men ami the church What ai. tin- fids? Some of tin allies! 111 *11 in the conference are not \ considered ill eoiilieetion with the v more important offices in the church, v Some of the most worthy ami capable men have been kept on the hardest appointments in the conference?they | have been persistently wronged and I their families have suffered. Their n children in many instances have gone I out into the world uneducated and un- J lualifled for the great conllict of life ( as a result of that persistent injustice, p (>n the other hand inexperienced men. p young men. untrained in the itinerant s work and in some cases without chil- <| dreii to educate, have been persistently kept in the most desirable appoint- t incuts whether acceptable or not if Methodist preachers are brethren and .1 Christians, why such a cruel and rep- , loheiisible practice? 1 >. for a knowl- |; edge <?f wrong and !i sense nf shanm! t, Hilt the results are not confined to the preachers-?the church has suffer- v ed. is suffering ami will continue to f( suffer until the spirit ami practice of n combinations ami ring rule are driven M out never to return. Methodism is a t unit ami every lick falls upon the ,, church; it is impossible m wrong the t individual without doing hurl to the v church. Where this sense of wrong p and injustice exist there cannot he t! that spirit of unity, enthusiasm and h concert of action essential to success, tl Are we not right? What are the ( facts? Methodism in South Carolina ,. is drying up spiritually and numeri- v call.v. Worldliness and formality over- <| run the churth: accessions and con- ,, versions are few. out of all proportion j| to our numbers: the revival spirit has s departed from us; every enterprise tin- ,| dertakett in several years has been a a failure- a dead failure. Heboid the w results! Do they not indicate the ex- | istente of a ring? The continued ex- |j isti nee of such practices means the death of Methodism! Mr. Wesley foresaw the possibility of just such a e condition, ami therefore he counseled, si "Let there I e no respect of pers ms in a stationing the preachers." What Mr. p Wesley feared and advised against ti has become it fact*and is forcing the Methodist church upon the rocks. Ju<1 it ial appointments are demanded by p fairness and essential to the integrity I. if Methodism. "Respect of persons" is the offspring of combination, the j, fruitful source of injustici?an eccle- t< siastical caste and a disintegrating el- l( e lllcn t ill tile Methodist church. I'll! ( ' Mr. Wesley's counsel obeyed would | make conibinal ions impossible and preserve the life of Methodism. () Tlie following are the charges growing out of this editorial and two small ' paragraphs: Charge 1. h We charge Kev. (W. (Telghton ^ with gross immorality. Specification I.?In the Christian ^ Appeal, edited by Itev. ^W. Creigh- ^ ton. and published in the town of (JreeiiWood. S. (dated Nov. t{. 1!M)4. V on page 1. column in an editorial headed "Kings and Results." Kev. V W. (.Telghton says: "One set of men," " meaning the presiding elders of the South Carolina conference, "organize the conference, select the members of i' all committees, and do so distribute ^ themselves in the organization, that they are able to keep themselves fully " informed of everything that takes ' place, inspire action, shape move- J" meiits. control measures, and bring to bear active intlueiices, to promote or defeat any and every action as they ' may approve or disapprove." which article is maliciously false. ^ Specitlealion ? In the Christian Appeal, dated Nov. II. 1904. in an edi- '"! lorial headed. "Kings and Results." ? page 1. column :i. the Rev. C. W b Creightoii says. "They." meaning the " presiding elders di iu?. .suuiii Carolina " conference. "continue in utile**, and when uiu* of their nuiuher. fur any * reason is forced |u retire, they seleet ei their successor." which article is maliciously false. d Specification .'!.?In an issue uf the vv t'hrlstiaii ,\|>|ieal. ilateil Nov. II. 1904, s| page I. column T iCev. C. \V. Creigh- ''I ton says. "They." meaning the presiil- H ing elilers ?f the South Carolina conference. "exercise the poiver of a self- A perpetuating body, ami in direct vio- * < liitioii of the law of the church, to It which they belong." which statement ' is maliciously false. " Specitication 4.? In the Christian T Appeal, dated Nov. 1 ! 4. page 1. I' column editorial headed "Kings ''' and Uesults." KeV. C. W. Creightoll says. "They." meaning the presiding 11 elders of the South Carolina confer- ' ence. "shelve the men who. for any " reason, do not sympathize with, and " approve their methods, and promote " those who stand by them, and support each other in doing it." which state- e< nient is maliciously false. Speciiicatlon In the Christum ' Appeal, dated Nov. .'!. 19?4. page I. '* column '{. IJev. t'. \V. t'reighton says. ^ "They." nieiining' the presiding elders ' of tin* South Carolina conference. ' "agree upon a method of forcing up ' their salaries, in violation of the law of the church." v\ h statement is >' VI maliciously false. Specification ; In ihc Christian Appeal 1:11 -?I .Marrli !?. 1 ! ?."., in an ed- '' itorial. "i Merical I'sui-palion." page 1. " t'oliiiiin 2. \V. * ,i*?,lwtit??ii says. "The liish)i|i docs nut exercise iiis constimtinnal prerogative ami appoint tIf ( preachers io their respective fields of <i lalior." which statement i" malicious- " Iv falsi1. Specification 7 ?In (lie i'hristian Appeal. ilati-ii March !?. I pane I. cmIiiiiiii in an editorial hcailcil "Mow I In- Scheme Works." IJev. i'. W. i'reii;hIoii says. "Kvery time a presiding ehler (joes into the charge served t? hy one of those sixty-nine preachers" a: refcrreil to in saiil eilitorial. "he carries away from 12 to IS per cent of every iloll.-tr paid him. and does it knowingly. How a man with a soul t; in him ran he guilty of such heartless conduct w e cannot understand. I low ct a preacher can so far divest himself w ni iill feeliiik. sympathy. IuiM himself p oblivious to circumstances ami surroundings tliul vvoiihl appeal to the ti heart of a sinner, ami yet liopl himself u out as a follower of Jesus of N'aza- 1\ reth. is beyond the <'oinprehensiou of n the liiiman lllillil exeept. yes. exeepl w upon the theory of idolatrous love of s| money." whieh statement is imilieious. <| ly false. Specification v- In the I'liristiau tl Appeal, dated March l?5. I ! "?. paise h I. column in an editorial headed o "t'leric.al I'surpalion." Itev. <W. p t'reiuhton says. "In the South t'aro- ii Iina conference the pretichcrs are ei without leRJil protection and absolute- a ly at the IlleleV of the pI'esidillK elders. S| v ho for any cuus**, can wrong then tith impunity, ami it has been done,' rhich article is maliciously false. Specification ! . ? In the t'hristiai tppcal. dated July 27. ltMia, column and 2. Rev. \V. f'reighton says o tev. A. J. Stokes. Rev. \V. I'. Mead rs. Rev. J. S. Reaslev. Rev. J. W Cllgo. Rev. 11. It. Rrown. Rev. H. W lays, presiding elders of the Souti 'arolina conference, "When we tak< nto consideration the etficlency of th< residing elders, and the amount o erviee tiiey render to the church, w< iscover a clear case of 'graft.' " To charge the presiding elders witi he crime of graft is maliciously false Specification 1".?In the f'hrtstiai Ippeal. dated t>ct. !">. 1!>0.r?. page 1 olumn 2. in an article headed. "Strict e T'ervoii.'il " l he IJev ( W I'roiirh mi makes the following statement Hut of the egotistical, conoeiteil am nin-glorinus scribbler, who by an urn nrtunate accident (?? sits at the edi rial chair, heretofore occupied bj leu of brain and character, we havi iiis lo say: 1 His assumed utt-ftudi f ignorance is a sham and a fraud lis attempt to constitute himself tin <dnotary guardian of the presiding Iders. and tile champion defender 01 heir past administration. Is hypocrlt ill and selfish. 2. The editor 01 he Christian Appeal recognizes it he beardless youth who besmirch s tin- editorial chair of the Ad urate, a contemptible intruder, am ismisses him as such. 3. The editoi f the Christian Appeal characterize: he insinuations that he would no land by his utterances as a wilful am eliberale falsehood, knowingly madi ml uttered by the Advocate accident.' hicli statements have reference t< fev. 10. i?. Watson ami are malicious, false. Charge 2. We charge ('. \V. Crelghton with ross immorality which occurred sub f??Iu?-nt to the adjournment of the lasi nnual conference, but before the apointment of the committee of Invesi Ration. Specification 1.?In the Christlar ,ppeal, dated January 2f>th. I!?ft6 a Re r>. column 3. in an article signer y the Rev. <\ \V. Creighton. he says Rev. T. K. Morris, of Rennettsville. I: t this?he hits made a dare-devil at mpt to make it appear that we hat: iis-siated facts in our letter to Mr 'reeimin. lie put up a man of straw nd to knock him out. i/alled to his asistancc others. He hits publicly trieii besmirch our character and convid s of false words. He stands uncoveril before the world, and upon him hi.> wn vile effort must react. He call: itnself our 'friend from boyhood. \,'v feci humiliated?he should havt pitted us that thrust. His friendshii .-is been that of Hrutus to Caesar he muling public may ask, 'Why h I orris meddling in this matter?i nlunteer?' For this reason: \V< erved Hennettsvilie station two years Vr left many friends there: nearly evry Methodist family in the place, as ir as we know, takes the Appeal. Re ently two of the most prominent mei i Marlboro county, members of tht lethodist church, have died, and ir oth instances tht- families telegraph d for us to come and bury their dead here it is: the green-eyed monstei alousy. in all its hldeousness. Moris is a weak fellow, and in his pitiale condition we spare him." which rticle is maliciously false. Specification 4.?In the Christian ppeal, dated Dec. 21st, 190ft, page 1 iilunm 2. Rev. ('. W. Creightor harges that they, the presiding elden f the South Carolina conference rough! charges against him. thai lev knew to be false. Which statelent on his part, is maliciously false Specification ft.?In the Christian ppeal. dated Jan. 11th. limit, page 1 itlumii I. he charges that Mr. Jones fVrring t?? K. H. Jones of Anderson strict. South Carolina conference, as a co-conspirator, charging a conpiracy on the part of the presiding Iders of the said conference. Which harge is maliciously false. Specification *?.?In the Christian ppeal, dated Jan. 11th. limit, page 4 tlunin 3. he refers to Mr Jones ami is co-conspirators, meaning R. H ones and the other presiding elder.f tile South Carolina conference, hat Mr. Jones, or any number of the residing enters m me Miuin i annnia inference. were guilty of the high rime of conspiracy. that is. that they niteil or agreed to do. an unlawful el in an unlawful way. or that they sed unlawful methods to do a lawful ling, and any statement or intimation n the part of i'. \\\ freighton thai u-y are guilty of the high crime ol nspirai y. is maliciously false. Specification T. ? In a letter dated an. I Kill. IHuK. addressed to Mr. It. Freeman, editor of tin* lVe Dee dvoeate. ICeV. I'. W. freighton said lat In* absolutely refused to consent >r tin- complaints brought against im. to be referred to his presiding Ider. meaning the complaint* mught at tiie last annual conference. ,'hioh statement is maliciously false. Specification s.?In a letter written t Mr. It. h. Freeman, dated Jan. IK. m?K. Itev. \V. t'relghton said tiiat \V. Daniel did not consent for the unplaints against him. Itev. C. W. reigliton. to be referred to tiie pr?-iling elders. Which statement is ma* riously false. I'oininittee of Investigation: T. C. O'Dell. \V. A. Massebeau. I'etel- Stokes. The following report of the commit* e of trial was furnished me by tin -sistant statistical secretary: Charge 1. Specifications 4. f?. 7, 1". 13. sustained. Charge _. Specifications 4-7. suslined. i ?f tin- original twenty-one speciliitIons three were stricken out foi ant of any evidence whatever to sup ?rt them. < >f the remuiniiiK eighteen specitica his I. '1. t! and S ol" charge one were ot sustained by evideiiee. < >f charge ao. specifications I. :t and s were ot sustained hy evidenee. In othei ords the defendant made good those pccificntious. To them we ilivitt liecial attention Tile defendant hits estiihlisiled l>> |e report of tile com mi t tee tin- fol>wlng fsiets: I. The absolute truth f speeilication i. charge 1 The residing elders seleet tiieir successor.i otliee. :i. The bishop does not exreise his constitutional prerogative ml appoint the preachers to their reliertive fields of lallor 4 iii Soil til i Caroliita runfcrriici* the preachers are " without legal protection and absolutely at the mercy of the presiding el1 ders. who for any cause can wrong s them with impunity and it has been f done. If specification ?. charge 1. is true, . and the committee sustained it. then . it follows that charge 11 falls with It. i Specification 1 under this charge was * supported, on the part of the defense ;? by five of the best men in the state, f who had been dropped from the board of district stewards by presiding elders. The defendant supported the i truth of specification "> by the resolu. tlons of the annual conference passed i at Abbeville and evidence that the , resolution had been persistently viola. ted in every district in the conference . except ?uu-: ny the testimony ??t a l??r: iiht presiding that when the lay] men sought the removal <>f a presiding . elder because of this action in connec. Hon with the percentage plan the pre, siding ehlers supported him in the .. cabinet; that when a presiding elder had signed a written confession of improper conduct in securing the fixing ? of his salary and making contradictory ; statements to justify his conduct, his f character was not challenged in the . cabinet or on the conference Moor, alf though known to a bishop and generi ally known in the conference. Specification 7 was sustained by . the testimony of perhaps a dozen witj nesses for the defense. r Specification H was supported on < the part of the defense as follows; t The word "graft" is undefined and j was used in the sense of a special ? preference and privilege?the presid lug elders are paid the largest salaries , of any preacher in the conference . and given a special lien to secure It. 2. They had violated the Abbeville resolutions and In doing so increased j their salaries. 3. Two of them had collected money on districts for travj eling expenses while riding on annual railroad passes. 4. Others had demanded of preachers a per cent of monies to which they hail no claim. , On each of these points positive testimony was offered and if was not I controverted. It) supporting thi* truth of speclflcn4 .tion 10 the defendant offered evidence that he had been forced into a eontro versy by the party mentioned in that specification and that lie had, replied to an offensive publication in his own defense. 2. That much of the Infor illation upon which he had acted in t his editorial course came from that party and that he could not be either t ignorant or innocent of the things . stated by the defendant and therefore . his conduct was insincere. This was 4 not rebutted by the evidence. Specification 1.1 grew out of the following facts: The percentage plan of raising the salary of the presiding elder was in force in Orangeburg district. We had been informed by a prominent layman that the per cent was based on the assessments of the ^ year in which the salaries were paid instead of the previous year. This was a violation of the Abbeville reso1 lutions and naturally raised the presiding: elders' salary. We held that in equity and good conscience the presiding elder could not retain that increase and asked why not credit that increase to the conscience fund. Specification 1. charge 2. was met with conclusive proof. Specification 4 was met by documentary and oral evidence from the accusers that they had given the matter of preferring charges against the accused, little or no attention until they met at night in Spartanburg in 190S, that they did not have the papers before them: that they did not know its contents and had no idea of bringing a charge against him until they met at that time. and. therefore, brought a charge against him which they could not reasonably believe to be founded in fact or true. This charge now falls by the act of the committee. The defense met the charge in specifications f. and 6 by producing the original notice in writing, signed by the accuser, stating that the charge had been agreed upon at a meeting held at night by the presiding elders, and the further fact that they had reached a decision by vote; that that proceeding was in violation of the discipline and that Itlshop Candler hail i.nl.Molt- n.lint...I it 1 Specification 7 was <1 ispr? v*-?l l?y the ' production of the original letter to It. L. Freeman, the positive testimony of M. L. Carlisle. A. Coke Alann and the defendant. It now appears by the report of the ' committee that constitutional Metho\ dlsm does not exist in South Carolina: that the presiding elders make the appointments and select their successors in office. We have succeeded in establishing the existence of the liiosi powerful ecclesiastical combination ever known to Methodism. We went up against that combination, we made a manly, honest, light: the prosecution packed one committee with the blood kin of the accusers and their sympathizers, destroyed records and they could not be had. The bishop would not rule on the questions of law involved in the case and thus hung up every legal question until the meeting of the next <reiieraI conference. We are not vimlicitive, we entertain no malice, we have taken up a tight for liberty, right. Justice, freedom of speech and constitutional Methodism in South Carolina: in such a tight we knew the danger to be great: we ran great risk and we accept what has befallen us as our part of the price which every true man must pay who stands for conviction, liberty, light. ' justice, freedom of speech and constitutional Methodism. We sire still a Methodist and will continue to remain loyal and true to her policy, doctrines and constitution. We will now return to the ministry itiui preach as a layman, wherever we have the opportunity. The Christian Appeal will be pub.... I .... ...... I.....III. ami the public support it. * She Ami what would you he m?w if it weren't f'?r my money? lie?A bachelor.?Tit-lilts. *' She?Men have .always felt their importance. I expect that when Adam was introduced ti> Kve, he put on an air of superiority. He? Well, that is about all he hail to put op. i A Wealthy t'iti'/en ? Itut I said dis tinctly in my advertisement that I : wanted "a reliable colored coachman." and you are a red-faced Irishman." Applicant Hut shure. sor. isn't led as reliable a rMor as Mark" I'altitnure i Amerieaii