Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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f - - ?[EI CJ {] lA '.^T ?m \ lewis m. g-rist, propitetoi-. j 3ln Independent Juiiilp Uetcspaper: Joj the fromotion of the political, Social, l^irultural and (foinmertial Interests of the ?outh. jTERMS?$2.00 A YEAR IN ADVANCE. VOL. 4O. YORKVILLE, S. C? "WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 12, 1894. jSTQ. 5Q. MONTEZUMA'S DAUGHTER. BY RIDER HAGGARD. Copyrighted by the Author. CHAPTER XVL THE FOUR GODDESSES. Some weary tlmo went by, and nt last canio tho day of the entry Into Mexico of Cortes and his conquerors. Xow, of all the doings of tho Spaniards after they occupied tho city I do not propose to speak at length, for these are matters of history, and I havo ray own story to tell. So I shall only write of thoso of them with which I was concerned myself. I did not 6Co tho meeting between Montezuma and Cortes, though I saw tho emperor sot out to it clad liko Solomon In his glory and surrounded by his nobles. But 1 am suro of this?that no slavo led to tho sacrifice carried a heavier heart in his breast that that of Montezuma on this unlucky day, for now his folly had ruined him, and I think hn knew that ho was colng to his doom. Afterward, toward evening, I saw the emperor como back in his golden litter and pass over to the palace built by Axu, his father, that stood opposite to and some 500 paces from his own, facing the western gate of the temple. Presently I heard the sound of a multitude shouting, and amid it the tramp of horses and armed soldiers, and from a scat in my chamber I saw the Spaniards advance down the great street, and my heart beat at the sight of Christian men. In front, clad in rich armor, rodo their leader, Cortes, a man of middlo size, but noble bearing, with thoughtful eyts that noted everything, and after him somo few on horseback, but tho most of them on foot, marching his little army of conquerors, staring nbout them with bold, wondering eyes and jesting to each other in Castilian. They wero but a handful, bronzed by the sun and scarred by battle, somo of them ill armed and almost in rags, nnd looking on them I could not but marvel at tho lndomitablo courage that had enabled them to pierce their way through hostilo thousands, sickness and war, even to tho home of Montezuma's power. By tho side of Cortes, holding his stirrup in ho? hand, walkod a beautiful Indian woman dresscu in white robes and crowned with flowers. As sho passed tho palace sho turned her face. I knew her at once. It was my friend Marina, who had now attained tho greatness which she dosired, and who, notwithstanding all tho evil that sho had brought upon her country, looked most happy in it and in her master's love. As tho Spaniards went by I searched their faces one by one, with tho vague hope of hate, for, though it might well chanco that death had put us out of each other's reach, I half thought to sec Dc Garcia ~nf *}if\ rnnnncrniN. (UliUU^ VUV I1UI1IW* V? ? Such a quest as theirs, with itspromlso of blood and gold and to his evil heart should it be in hi? power to join it, and a strango instinct told nio that ho was not dead. But neither dead nor living was he among those men who entered Mexico that day. That night I saw Guutcmoc and asked him how things went "Well for the kito that roosts in tho dove's nest," ho answered, with a bitter laugh, "but very ill for the dova Montezuma, my uncle, has been cooing yonder," and ho pointed to tho palace of Axa, ''and the captain of tho Teules has cooed in answer, but though ho tried to hido it I could hear tho hawk's shriek in his pigoon's note. Ero long there will bo merry doings in Tenoctitlan." Ho was right Within a week Montezuma was treacherously seized by tho Spaniards and kept a prisoner in their quarters, watchod day and night by their soldiers. Then camo event upon event Certain lords on tho coast lands, having killed some Spaniards, were summoned to Mexico by the instigation of Cortes. They camo and were burned alive in the courtyard of tho palace. Nor was this all, for Montezuma, their monarch, was forced to witness tho execution with fetters on his ankles. So low had the emperor of tho Aztecs fallen that he must bear chains liko a common felon. After this insult ho swore allegiance to tho King of Spain and even contrived to capture Cacama, the lord " of Tczcuco, by treachery and to deliver him into the hands of the Spaniards on whom ho would have made war. To them also ho gave up all tho hoarded gold and treasure of the empire to thovaluoof hundreds of thousands of English pounds. All this tho nntion bore, for it was stupefied and still obeyed the commands of its captivo king. But when he suffered tho Spaniards to worship the true God in ono of the sanctuaries of the great temple a jnuimur of discontent anil sullen lury rose among the thousands of the Aztecs. It filled the air, it could bo heard wherever men were gathered, and its sound was like that of a distant angry sea. The hour of the breaking of the tempest was at hand. Now, all this while my life went on as before, save that I was not allowil to go outside the walls of the pulaee, for it was feared lest I should find somo means of intercourse with the Spaniards, who did not know thut a man of white blood was confined there and doomed to sacrifice; also in these duys 1 saw little of the princess Otomie, the chief of my destined brides, who since our strange lovo scene had avoided me, and when we met at feasts or in the t aniens spoke to me only on indifferent matters or of the affairs of state. At length came the day of my mnrringc. It was, I remember, tho night bennictnn?i ?f thii arm Arrnc unhlfts on the occasion of t ho festival of HuitzeL On this my wedding ilny 1 was treated with great circumstance and worshiped liko a god by the highest in the city, who came in to do me reverence unci burned incense before me till I was weary of tho smell of it, for though such sorrow was on tho land the priests would abate no jot of their ceremonies or cruelties, and great hopes were held that I, being of the race of Teulcs, my sacrifice would avert the anger of the gods. At sunset I was entertained with a splendid feast that lasted two hours or more, and at its end all the company rose and shouted as with one voice: "Glory to thee, O Tezcat! Happy art thou here on earth, happy mayst thou be in the houses of the sun. When thou comesthither, remember that we dealt well by thee, giving thee of our best and intcrcedo for us that our sins may be forgiven. Glory to thee, O Tezcat!" Then two of the chief nobles came forward, and taking torches led me to a magnificent chamber that I had never seen before. Hero they changed my apparel, investing me in robes which were still moro splendid than any that I had worn hitherto, being made of the finest embroidered cotton and of the glittering feathers of tho humming bird. On my lieud they set wreaths of (lowers, and about my neck and wrists emeralds of vast size and value, and a sorry popinjay I looked in this attire, that seemed more suited to a woman's beauty than to me. When I was arrayed, suddenly the torches were extinguished, and for awhile there was silence. Then In the distance I heard women's voices singing a bridal song that was beautiful enough after its fashion, though I forbeur to write it down. Tho singing ceased, and there ctmie a sound of rustling robes and of low whispering Then a ninn's voice spoke, saying: "Are ye there, yc chosen of heaven?" And a woman's voice?I thought it was that of Otomie?answered: "Wo are here." "O maidensof Anahuac," said the man, speaking from the darkness, "and you, O Tezcat, god among the gods, listen to my words. Maidens, a great honor has been done to you, for by tho very choice of heaven you have been endowed with the names, the loveliness and tho virtues of the four great goddesses ami chosen to abide awhile at the side of this god, your maker and your master, who has been pleased to visit us for a space before ho seeks his home in the habitations of the 6un. See that you show yourselves worthy of this honor. Comfort him and cherish him, that he may forget his glory in your Kindness, mm wiien lie returns turns own place may take with ' him grateful memories and a good report of your people. You have hut a little while to livo at his side in this life, for already, like those of a eaged bird, tho wings of his spirit beat against the bars of the flesh, and soon lie will shake himself free from us and you Yet if you will it is allowed to one of you to accompany him to his home, sharing his flight to the houses of the sun Hut to all of you, whether you go also or whether you stay to mourn him during your life days, I say love ami cherish him, l?c tender and gentle toward him, for otherwise ruin shall overtake you hero and hereafter, and you and all of us will be ill spoken of in heaven. And you, O Tezeat, wo pray of you to accept these maidens, who bear the names and wear tho charms of your celestial consorts, for there are none more beautiful or better born in thcrcalmsof Annhunc, and among them is numbcrod the daughter of our j king. They are not jierfect indeed, for perfection is known to you in the heavenI ly kingdoms only, since these Indies are 1 but shadows and symbols of the divino | goddesses, your true wives, and hero there j arc no perfect women. Alas, we have nono better to offer you, and it is our hope that | when it pleases you to pass hence you will think kindly of the women of this land and from on high bless them with your blessing, because your memory of theso who were called your wives on earth is j pleasant." The volco paused, then spoke again: "Women, in your own divine names of 1 Xochi, Xilo, Atla and Clixto, and in the j name of all lite gods, I wed you to Tczcat, j the creator, to sojourn with him during ! his stay on earth. The god incarnate takes you in marriage whom lie himself created, j that tho symbol may be perfect and the i mystery fulfilled. Yet, lest your joy should j be too full, look now on that which shall j be." As the voice spoke these words many , torches sprang into flame ht the fur end ; of tho great chamber, revealing a dreadful | 6ight, for there, stretched upon a stone of i sacrifice, was the body of a man, but wheth| cr the man lived or was modeled in wax I do not know to this hour, though un! less ho was painted I think that ho must have been fashioned in wax, since his skin ! shono white like mine. At the least, his limbs and head wero held by five priests, and a sixth stood over him clasping a : knifo of obsidian in his two hands. It flashed on high, and as it gleamed tho ! torches were extinguished. Then came tho dull echo of a blow and a sound of groans, and all was still till once more tho | brides broko out into their marriage song j ?a strange chant, and a wild and sweet, I tholigh after what I had seen and heard it ! had little power to move me. They sang on in the darkness ever more loudly till presently a single torch was lit I at the end of tho chamber, then another and another, though I could not sec who j lit them, and the room was a flare of light. ; Now the altar, the victim and the priests J were all gone. There was no one left in tho placo except myself and mv four brides. They were tall and lovely women, all of them clad in white bridal robes starred over with gems and flowers and wearing on their brows 'the emblems of j tho four goddesses, but Otomic was the stateliest and most beautiful of the four , and seemed in truth a goddess. Ono by one they drew near to me, smiling and i sighing, and kneeling beforo mo kissed i mv hand, saying: I ''I have been chosen to be your wife for a space, Tczcut, happy maid that I am. j May the gods grant that I become pleasing to your sight, so that you may love me as I worship you. Then she who had spoken would draw back again out of earshot, and the next would take her place. I Last of all came Otomic. She knelt and said the words, then added in a low voice: ''Having spoken to you as the bride and i goddess to the husband and the god Tczcat, now, O Teulc, I speak as tho woman to the man. You do not lovo me, Tcule; therefore, if it is your will, let us be dij vorced of our own act who were wed by the command of others, for so I sliull be spared some shame. These arc friends to ! me and will not betray us." And she nodded toward her companion brides. ''As you will, Otomic," I answered J briefly. "I thank you for your kindness, Teulc," she said, smiling sadly, and withdrew, making obeisance, looking so stately and j so sweet as 6he went that again my heart was shaken ns though with lovo. Now, from that night till the dreadful hour of sacrifice no kiss or tender word passed between me and the princess of tho Otomic. And yet our friendship and affection grew doily, for we talked much together, and I 6ought to turn her heart to tho truo king j of heaven. But this was not easy, for, i like her father Montezuma, Otomio clung ] to tho gods of her people, though she hated the priests, and, save where the victims j were tho foes of her country, shrank from : the rites of human sacrifice, which she said i were instituted by the pabas, sinco in the early days there were no men offer| cd on the altars of the gods, but flowers j only. Daily it grew and ripened till, ali though I scarcely knew it, at length in | my heart, after Lily, I loved her better | than any one on earth. As for the other j women, though they were gentle and beautiful, I soon learned to hate them. Still I feasted and reveled with them, partly since I must, or bring them to a miserable death because they failed to please me, and partly that I might drown my terrors in drink j and pleasure, for let it be remembered that tho days left me on cart li were few, and the awful end drew near. The day following the celebration of my I marriage was that of the shameless massacre of (>00 of the Aztec nobles by the order of the hidalgo Alvarado, whom Cortes had left in command of the Spaniards, for at this time Cortes was absent on the coast lands, whither he had gone to make war Oil mm iatii iv.1uu duo him by his enemy, Velasquez, the governor of Cuba. On this day was celebrated the feast of Iluitzel, that was lteld with sacrifice, songs and dances in the gtvat court of the temple, that court which was surrounded by a wall carved over with the writhing shapes of snakes. It chanced that on this morning before he went to join in the festival Guntcmoc, the prince, came to see me on a visit of ceremony. I asked him if he intended to take part in the feast, as the splendor of his apparel brought me to believe. "Yes," lie answered, "but why do you ask?" ''Because, were I you, Guntcmoc, I would not go Say. now, will the dancers lie armed!'" "No, it is not usual." "They will lie unarmed, Guatemoe, ami they are the ilower of the land. I narmed j they will dance in yonder inclosed space, | and the Teules will watch them armed, j Now, how would it lie if these chanced to I pick a quarrel with the nobles?" "I do not know why you should speak thus, Teule, for surely these white men are not cowardly murderers. .Still I take your words as an omen, and though the | feast must be held, for see, already the nobles gather, I will not share in it." "You are wise, Guatemoe," I said. "I am sure that 5*ou are wise." Afterward Otomie, Guatemoe and 1 went into the garden of the palace and sat upon the crest of a small pyramid, a teocalli in miniature that Montezuma had built for a place of outlook 011 the market and the courts of the temple. From this spot we saw the dancing of the Aztec nobles and heard the song of the musicians. It was a gay sight, for in the bright sunlight their feather dresses Hashed like coats j of gems, and none would have guessed how it was to end. Mingling with the dancers were groups of Spaniards clad in mail and untied with swords and mutchlocks, but I noted that as the time went , 011 these men separated from the Indians and Itcgan to cluster like bees about the gates and at various points tinder the sliad; ow of the wall of serpents. "Now, what may this mean?" I said to Guatemoe, and as 1 spoke 1 saw it Spaniard wave a white cloth in the air. Then in an instant, before the cloth had ceased to flutter, a smoke arose from every side, and with it came the sound of the firing of matchlocks. K very where among the dancers men fell dead or wounded, but the mass of them, unharmed as yet, huddled themselves together like frightened sheep and stood silent and terror stricken. Then the Spaniards, shouting the name of their patron saint, as it is their custom to do when they have some such wickedness in hand, drew their swords, and rushing on the unarmed Aztec nobles began to kill them. Now some shrieked and fled, and ! wmie stood still till they were cut down; but, whether they staid or ran, the end was the same, for the gates were guarded, and the walls were too high J<> climb. There they were slaughtered, every man ( f them, and may God, who sees it all, reward their murderers. It was m>ri over. Within 10 minutes of the waving nf the cloth those <>00 meli were st rctohi d lipon the pavetnent dead or dying, and with shouts of victory the Spaniards were despoiling their corpses of tin* rich orna ments they had worn. Then I turned to Guatcmoc and said, "'It seems that you did well not to join in yonder revel." Hut Guatemoc made no answer. He stared at the dead and those who had murl dered them and said nothing. Only Otomic spoke. "You Christians are a gentle people," she said, with a hitter laugh. "It is thus that you repay our hospitality. Now, 1 trust that Montezuma, my father, is pleased with his guests. Ah, were I he, every man of them should lie on the stone of sacrifice! If our gods are devils, as you say, what an- those who worship yours!'" i Then at length (luatemoc said: "Only one thing remains to us, and that is vengeance. Montezuma has become a womi an. and I heed him 110 more. Nay, if it 1 were needful, I would kill him with my ' own hand. Hut two men tire still left in j the land?Cuitlahua, my undo, and my- ! self. Now I goto summon our armies." And he went. All that night the city murmured like a ! swarm of wasps, and next day at dawn, . so far as the eye could reach, the streets and market place were filled with tens of thousands of armed warriors. They threw themselves like a wave upon the walls of the palace of Axa, aiul like a wave from a rock they were driven hack again by the fire of the guns. Thrice they attacked, and thrice they wero repulsed. Then Montc; zunin, the woman king, appeared upon the walls, praying them to desist, because, forsooth, did they succeed, he hinrclf might perish. Even then they obeyed him,, so great was their reverence for his sacred royalty, and for awhile attacked the Spaniards no more. But further than this they would not go. If Montezuma forbade them j j to kill the Spaniards, at least they deter- j mined to starve them out, and from that ! hour a strait blockade was kept up against J , the palace. Hundreds of the Aztec soldiers had been slain already, but tho loss was not all upon their side, for some of the ! Spaniards and many of the Tlascaluns had fallen into their hands. As for these un- 1 lucky prisoners, their end was swift, for they were taken at once to the temples of the great teocalli and sacrificed thcro to' the gods in the sight of their comrades. j Now it was that Cortes returned with J I many more men, for lie had conquered Narvacz, whose followers had joined the standard of Cortes, and with them others, ! 1 one of whom I had good reason to know. Cortes was suffered to rejoin his comrade?. ! in the palace of Axa without attack, and on the following day Cuitlahua, Montczu| ma's brother, king of Palapan, was released by him that he might soothe the people. , But Cuitlahua was no coward. Once safo outside his prison walls he called the council together, of whom the chief was Guatcmoc. There they resolved on war to the end, giving it out that Montezuma had forfeited his kingdom by his cowardice, and on I that resolve they aoted. Had it been taken but two short months before, by this date i no Spaniard would have been left alive in Tenoctitlan, for, after Marina, the love ' of Cortes, whose subtle wit brought about his triumph, it was Montezuma who was the chief cause of his own fall and of that j of the kingdom of Anahuac. CHAPTER XVII. OTOMIE'S COUNSEL. On the day after the return of Cortes to i Mexico, before the hour of dawn, I was i awakened from my uneasy slumbers by j ! tho whistling cries of thousands of warj riors and the sound of atabals and drums, j Hurrying to my post of outlook on the I little pyramid, where Otomic joined me, I saw that the whole people wero gathered for war. So far as the eye could reach, in square, market place and street, tlicy were massed in thousands and tens of thousands. | | Some were armed with slings, some with I I bows and arrows, others with javelins tip- ! ped with copper and the clubs set with nf ntwtUnn nillpd mnrinn_ j and yet others, citizens of the poorer sort, with stakes hardened in the fire. The hod- j les of some were covered with golden coats j j of mail, crested with hair and fashioned ! | like the heads of pumas, snakes or wolves; others wore cscaupils or coats of quilted ! cotton, but the most* of them were naked I except for a cloth about the loins. On tlio flat azotcas, or roofs of houses, also, and even on the top of the teocalli of sacrifice, t wero bands of men whose part it was to [ rain missiles into the Spanish quarters. It was a strange sight to see in that red ( sunrise and one never to be forgotten, as ; | the light flashed from temples and palace walls onto the feather garments and gay ! banners, tho points of countless spears and I the armor of the Spaniards, who hurried j j to and fro behind their battlements maki ing ready their defense. As soon as the 6un was up a priest blew j a shrill note upon a shell, which was anj swered by a trumpet call from the Spanish 1 quarters. Then, with a shriek of rage, I the thousands of the Aztecs rushed to the I attack, and tho air grew dark with mis* I siles. Instantly a wavering line of fire ! and smoke, followed by a sound as of thun! der, broke from the walls of the palaco of I Axa, and tho charging warriors fell lilco ! autumn leaves beneath the cannon and j arquebus balls of tho Christians. For a moment they wavered, and a great i groan went up to heaven, but I saw Gua' tomoc spring forward, a banner in his hand, and forming up again they rushed j J after him. Now they were beneath tho ! ; wall of the palace, and tho assuult began, j Tho Aztecs fought furiously. Time upon j ! time they strove to climb the wall, piling ! up the bodies of the dead to serve them as ' bidders, and time upon time they wero re- i ! pulsed with cruel loss. Failing in this, ! | they set themselves to battering it down ' I with heavy beams, but when the breach j j was made and they clustered in it like j j herded sheep the cannon opened fire on | them, tearing long lanes through their j mass and leaving them dead by scores, j Then they took to the shooting of flaming I arrows, and by this means llrcd the out- ' works, but tho palace was of stone and i i would not burn. Thus for 12 long hours i I the struggle raged unceasingly till tho ! sudden fall of darkness put an end to it, | and the only sight to l>e seen was the flare I of countless torches carried by those who j ; sought out the dead, and the only sounds j to be heard were the voices of women j lamenting and the groans of the dying. On the morrow the fight broke out again at dawn, when Cortes sallied forth with the greater part of his soldiers and some ! | thousands of his Tlasealan allies. At first j I thought that he aimed his attack at i Montezuma's palace, and a breath of hope i went through me, since then it might be- j come possible for me to escape in the con- j fusion. But this was not so, his object being to set Are to the houses, from the ! o..f fo i.f u-Mfli nimihnrloss missiles ' were luiiled hourly upon his followers. The charge was desperate, and it succeeded, i J for the Indians could not withstand the ; shock of horsemen any more than their j naked skins could turn the Spaniards' j steel. Presently scores of houses were in ; | flames, and thick columns of smoko rolled j up like those that float from the mouth of ! Popo. But many of those who rode and j ran from the gates of Axa did not como back thither, for the Aztecs clung to the | legs of the horses and dragged their riders \ ! away living. That very day these captives wcro sacri- j flced on the altar of Huitzel and in the sight of their comrades, and with them a | j horse was offered up, which had been tak- j j en alive, and was borne and dragged with j j infinite labor up the steep sides of the pyr- ! i amid. Indeed never had the sacrifices been , so many as during these days of combat. ! j All day long the altars ran red, and all j day long the cries of the victims rang in i my cars as the maddened priests went 1 about their work, for thus they sought ! to please the gods who should givo them victory over the Teules. Even at night the sacrifices continued by the light of the sacred tires that from below gavo those who wrought them the appearance c f devils flitting through the , flames of hell and inflicting its torments on the damned, much as they are depicted in the "Doom" painting of the resurrection of the dead that is over the chancel arch in this church of Ditchingham. And j hour by hour through the darknessa voice I called out threats and warnings to the Spaniards, saying: "Huitzel is hungry for your blood, ye Teules. Ye shall surely fellow where ye have seen your fellows go. I The cages are ready, ihe knives are sharp and the irons are hot for the torture. Prepare ye, Teules, for though ye slay many ' ye cannot escape." Thus the struggle went on day after day till thousands of the Aztecs were dead and the Spaniards were well nigh worn | out with hunger, war and wounds, for they could not rest a single hour. At length one morning when the assault was at its hottest Mon? 'Zunia himself appeared upon ! the central tower of tho palace clad in splendid rolns and wearing the diadem. T, P 1 , | ix'iore linn siuuu 1111111119 uiiumu jjvmui I wands, and about him were the nobles who attended him in his captivity and a ! guard of Spaniards. He stretched out his j hand, and suddenly the lighting was staid and a silence fell upon the place; even the ! wounded ceased from their groaning. Then i he addressed the multitude. What he said I wiis too far oil to hear, though I learned its purport afterward. lie prayed his peo- | pie to cease from war, for the Spaniards were his friends and guests and would presently lcavo tho city of Tcnoctitlan. ; When these cowardly words had passed his lips, a fury took his subjects, who for long j years had worshiped him as a god, and a i shriek rent the air that seemed to say two i words only: ' Woman! Traitor!" Then I saw an arrow rush upward and strike the emperor, and after the arrow a shower of stones, so that he fell down up- j 1 on the tower roof. Now a voice cried: "We have slain our king! Montezuma is dead!" And Instant- J ! ly, with a dreadful wailing, the multitude I fled this way and that, so that presently j | no living man could be seen where there j had been thousands. I turned to comfort Utonde, who was watching by my side and had seen her royal father fall, and led her weeping into the palace. Here we met Guatemoc, the | prince, and his mien was fierce and wild. : Ho was fully armed and carried a how in his hand. "Is Montezuma dead?" I asked. "I neither know nor care," he answered, with a savage laugh, then added: ' Now curse me, Otomlo, my cousin, for j it was my arrow that smote him down, this king who h:is Ix'come a woman and a traitor, false to his manhood and his conn- j try." "I cannot curse you, Guatemoc,- for the gods have smitten niv father with a mad- J ncss as you smote him with your arrow, and it is l>est that he should die, both for his own sake and for that of his people, j Still, Guatemoc, I am sure of this?that your crime will not go unpunished, and | that in payment for this sacrilege you j shall yourself come to a shameful death." | 'It may be so," said Guatemoc, "but at J least I shall not die betraying my trust," I and he went. Now I must tell that, as I Ixdievcd, this was my last day on earth, for on tlie morrow my year of godhead expired, and I, Thomas Wingfleld, should Iks led out to j saerillce. Nothwitlistanding all tho tumult in the city, tho mourning for tho ! dead and the fear that hung over it like a t cloud, tho ceremonies of religion and its [ feasts were still celebrated strictly, more strictly even than before. Thus on this night a festival was held in my honor, and I must sit at the feast crowned with flowers and surrounded by my wives, while j those nobles who remained alive in the j city did mo homage, and with them Ctiit- ! lahua, who, if Montezuma were dead, would now 1k> emperor. It was a dreary meal enough, for I could ] scarcely be gay, though I strove to drown my woes in drink, and, as for the guests, they had little jollity left in them. Hundreds of their relatives were dead and with , them thousands of the people. The Spanlards still held their own in the fortress, and that day they h:ul seen their emperor, who to them was a god, smitten down by ono of their own number, and above all they felt that doom was upon themselves. What wonder that they were not merry? Indeed no funeral feast could have been more sad, for flowers and wino and fair women do not make pleasure, and after all it was a funeral feast?for me. At length it came to an end, and I fled to my own apartments, whither my three j wives followed me, for Otomio did not come, calling mo most happy and blessed who tomorrow should be with myself? i that Is, with my own godhead, in heaven. ! But I did not call them blessed, for, rising in wrath, I drove them away, saying that I had but one comfort left, and it was 1 that wherever I might go I should leave : them lH'himl. Then I cast myself upon the cushions of ] my IhhI and mourned in my fear and bit- I tcrncss of heart. This was tho cud of tho j vcngeanco which I had sworn to wreak on Do Garcia, that I myself must havo my i heart torn from my breast and offered to a devil. Thus weeping and praying I sank Into | ft half sleep and dreamed that I wanted on ; tho hillside near the church path that runs { through the garden of the lodge at Ditch- I Ingham. The whispers of tho wind were ; in the trees which clothe the bank of tho Vineyard hills, the scent of the sweet English flowers was in my nostrils, and tho balmy air of June blew upon my brow. It was night In this dream of mine, and I thought that the moon shono sweetly on j tho meadows and tho river, while from every side came tho music of the niglitin- f gale. But 1 was not thinking of these de- | lightful sights and sounds, though they wero present in my mind, for my eyes watched the church path which goes up : tho hill at tho back of the house, and my heart listened for a footstep that I longed to hear. Then there camo a sound of singing i from beyond tho hill, and tho words of I the song were sad, for they told of ono who I had sailed away and returned no more, 1 and presently between tho npplo trees I 1 6aw a white flguro on its crest. Slowly it ! came toward inc, and I knew that it was she for whom I waited?Lily, my beloved. Now she ceased to sing, but drew on gen- j tly, and her face seemed very sad. More- } over, it was tho face of a woman in middlo ! life, but still most beautiful, more bcauti- j ful indeed than it had been in the bloom I of youth. Sho had reached the foot of tho hill and was turning toward the little gar- j den gate, when I came forward from tho j shadow of the trees and stood before her. [ Bnck she started with a cry of fear, then I grew silent and gazed into my face. "So changed," she murmured. "Can it be the same)1 Thomas, is it you come back to me from the dead, or is this but a vision)"' and slowly and doubtingly tho dream wraith stretched out her arms as though to clasp me. Then I awoke. I awoke, and, lo, before mo stood a fair woman clothed in white, on whom tho moonlight shone as in my dream, and her arms were stretched toward me lovingly. "It is I, beloved, and no vision," I cried, springing from my bed and clasping her to my breast to kiss her. But before my lips touched hers I saw my error, for she whom I embraced was not Lily , Bozard, my betrothed, but Otomic, who was called my wife. Then I knew that this was the saddest and most bitter of dreams that had been sent to mock me, for all the truth rushed into my mind. ! Loosing my hold of Otomic, I fell back upon the bed and groaned aloud, and as I fell I saw the flush of shame upon her brow and breast, for this woman loved me, and thus my act and words were an insult to her. who could at less well what prompted them. Still she spoke gently. ''Pardon me, Teulo; I came but to watch and not to waken you. I anno also that j I may see you alone before the daybreak, hoping that I might bo of service or at the least of comfort to you, for the end draws near. Say then, In your sleep did you mistuke me for some other woman dearer and fairer than I am, that you would have embraced me?" '11 dreamed that you were my betrothed, whom I love, and who is far across the sea," I answered heavily. "But enough of love and such matters. What have I to do with them who go down into darkness?" '"In truth, I cannot tell, Teulo. Still I have heard wise men say that if love is to be found anywhere it is in this same darkness of death, that is light indeed. Grieve not, for if there is truth in the faith of which you have told me or in our own, cither on this earth or beyond it, with the eyes of the spirit you will see your dear before another sun is set, and I pray that you may find her faithful to you. Tell me now, how much does she love you? Would she have lain by your side on the lied of sacrifice as, had things gone otherwise botwecn us, Teulo, it was my hope to do?" "No," I answered; "it is notthccustom of our women to kill themselves because their husbands chance to die." "Perhaps they think it better to live and wed again," answered Otomic very quietly, but I saw her eyes (lash and her breast heave in the moonlight as she spoke. "Enough of this foolish talk," I said. "Listen, Otomic. If you had cared for mo truly, surely you would have saved mo from this dreadful doom or prevailed upon Guatemoc to save me. You are Montezuma's daughter. Could you not have brought it about during all these months that ho issued his royal mandate, commanding that I should be spared?" "l)o you, then take me for so poor a friend, Teule?" she answered hotly. "Know that for all these mouths, by day and by night, I have worked and striven to find a means to rescue you. Before lie became a prisoner I importuned my fait.? ,ill 1 fn.ttt 111U1) HIV lilljMm, lilt (IV/ uiuviiu iiiv Ins presence. I have sought to bribe the priests. I have plotted ways of escape? aye, and Guatcmoc has helped, for ho loves you. Had it not been for the coming of these accursed Tonics and the war that they levied in the city I had surely saved you, for a woman's thought leaps far and can find a path where none seems possible. But this war has changed everything, and, moreover, the star readers and diviners of auguries have given a prophecy which seals your fate, for they have prophesied that if your blood flows and your heart is offered at the hour of noon tomorrow on the altars of Tczcat our people shall be victorious over the Teules and utterly destroy them. Hut if the sacrifice is celebrated one moment before or after that propitious hour, then the doom of Tcnoctitlan is sealed; also they have declared that, you must die, not, according to custom, at the temple of arms across the lake, but on the great pyramid before the chief statue of the god. All this is known throughout the land. Thousands of priests arc now offering up prayers that the sacrifice may be fortunate, and a golden ring has been hung over the stone of slaughter in such a fashion that the light of the sun must strike upon the center of your breast at the very moment of midday. l'< u 1::.\e be.:: watched as a jaguar watches its prey, for it was feared that you would.escape to the Teules, and we, your wives, have been watched also. At this moment there is a triple ring of guards ubout tlic palace, uiid priests are set without your doors and Ikjncntii tlio window places. Judge, then, what chanco there is of escape, Teule." "Little indeed," I said, "and yet I know a road. If I kill myself, they cannot kill me." "Nny," sho answered hastily, "what shall that avail you? While you live you may hope, but onco dead you arc dead forever; also, if you must die, it is best that you should die by tlio hand of the priest. Believe me, though the end is horrible," nnd sho shuddered, "it is almost painless, 60 they say, and very swift. They will not torturo you. That' wo hnvo 6uved you, Guatcmoc and I, though at first they wished thus to honor the god more particularly on this great day. "O Tculo," Otomio went on, seating herself by mo on the bed nnd taking my hand, "think no more of theso brief tor rors, UUC lOOK UCJUHU iuuu. ji, nu nuiu a thing to die, niul swiftly? Wo all must die, today or tonight or tho next day, it matters littlo when, und your faith, like ours, teaches that beyond the grave is endless blessedness. Think then, my friend, tomorrow you will have passed far from this strife and turmoil; tho struggle and tho sorrows and the daily fears for the future that mako the soul sick will be over for you; you will be taken to your peace, where no one shall disturb you forever. There you will find that mother whom you have told 1110 of, and who loved you, and thcro perhaps one will join you who loves you better than your mother; mayhap even I may meet you there, friend," nnd she looked at mo strangely. "Tho road that you arc doomed to walk Is dark indeed, but surely it must l>o well trodden, and thcro is light shining beyond it. So be a man, my friend, and do not grieve. Rejoice rather that at so early an age you have done with woes nnd doubts and come to the gates of joy; that you have passed tho thorny, unwatcred wilderness and sec tho smiling lakes and gardens, and among them tho temples of your eternal city. ''And now farewell. Wo meet no more till tho hour of sacrifice, for we women who masquerade us wives must accompany you to the first platforms of tho temple. Farewell, dear friend, and think upon my words. Whether they arc acceptable to you or no, I am sure of this?that both for tho sako of your own honor and because I ask it of you you will dio bravely as though tho eyes of your own people were watching all." And, bending suddenly, Otomio kissed 111c on tho forehead gently as a sister might and was gono. TO UK CONTINUED NEXT WEEK. S'tatc Mans. it mmm phach. Governor Evans's Inaugural Address. SOME SENSIBLE RECOMMENDATIONS. Improve Educational Facilities?Provide for Speedy Trials?Work Convicts on tlie Public lloads?Reduce Interest Charges to 7 Per Cent. The lion. John Gary Evans was duly inaugurated governor of South Carolina on Tuesday of last week with the usual ceremonies: His inaugural address was as follows: Gentlemen of the General Assembly : After obtaining the will of the people in three separate elections, I might say, I am here today to assume the governorship of the prouudest people on the globe; the governorship of South Carolinians. Ten years ago the elevation of a man of my age. to the highest honor in the gift of the people would have been regarded as almost unconstitutional. A young man in South Carolina would not have dared aspire to this honorable position for fear of gaining the odium of that class who forsooth by reason of age or inheritance considered the otliees as their particular property without regard to the popular will. There arc some who still regard the ,political revolution of 1X90, which gave to us nu aristrocracy of brains instead of lands and money, as an hallucination, a dream of youth filled with iconoclasts, and as the reign of the demagogue. This gentle slumber will result in good, and the Kip Van Winkles of the State will awaken to find themselves monuments of antiquity surrounded l>v young scions of modern progress and development who have nothing hut love and reverence for them. TWICE IlKHl'KKl). It is a matter of congratulation to the people that the efforts to stay the course of Reform hy an appeal to an ignorant and purchasable vote has been rebuked the second time in a manner unmistakable in terms, and let us hope that in the future there will he found in the State no man so ignoble as to dare threaten us with a I return of the dark days from 1S(!S to 1S70. It is unfortunate indeed that the foundation of our social and political institutions is the unity of the white people. This condition was thrust upon us hy the emancipation and enfranchisement, with one stroke, of an unfortunate, ignorant race, unfit to govern even themselves. I'laced in power hy the bayonet, forced to govern their former masters, we thus witness a spectacle seldom recorded in history?a government of ignorance, vice and corruption over wisdom, virtue and honesty. A 1>YIN<; PICA K. Such a condition of affairs was not expected to he perpetuated and it was no surprise to wise and thoughtful statesmen that a reversal was had at the very first opportunity. The result has been to limit our political affairs to the control of hut one party, to wit, the white man's party. This was necessary for the preservation of our institutions. "Times change and men change with them." The fear of Radicalism lias nccn uying oiu year ny year on account of the inactivity of our foes. Differences of opinion naturally have arisen as to the adminisi nation of our government, until finally ' some of our citizens have foolishly taken the frozen viper to their hosoin only to receive its deadly fangs. CiiMK TOCKTJIKU. Is it necessary for me to warn tlie young men of our State of the dangers | that threaten us? Must I picture South Carolina prostrate, struggling in the days of reconstruction? Must I, the son of a Confederate soldier, j ask his comrades to pause and con! sider? Will the son turn upon his mother and pierce her through the heart with the same blade that smote j her traducer? I cannot believe it nor will I do it, nor will those who follow j me. I say here and now, upon the threshold of my administration, to those who oppose me, "Come, let us reason together." There is no room ' in South Carolina for divided hearts. If the invitation is refused, remember South Carolina shall not sutler. Let the blow fall upon the heads of those j who seek to rule or ruin. I do not i fear the result. CSRKAT INDIVIDUALITY. It has been truly said that of all the j States of the Union the citizens of South Carolina are possessed of more j characteristic individuality. It is ex1 pressed by an English historian in | these words: "They are first South i Carolinians, next Southerners and ! lastly Americans." This is true ; we j are South Carolinians from birth and choice, Southerners from principle and ! Americans from force of circumstances. We cannot compromise principle, we j will not surrender our birthright and we must make the best of our sur' rounding circumstances. Let us then 1 in adjusting our differences remember j that we are South Carolinians and the only plane upon which we can meet is ^r <wiiiiilifv irnidod hv wisdom. I 1-1... If. l.r........ p, justice and moderation. PATRIOTISM NKKOKI). Never in 1 lie history of our country . was more patriotic action needed on the part of our citizens. The crisis which ' confronts us threaten the very life of . our institutions and industries. We are an agricultural people, farmers if , you please, dependent upon the products of the soil for an existence; as they prosper, so prospers the State. Cotton raising and cotton mnnufactur! ing will ever he the chief industries of j our State. (lod has made it so, and we cannot change it. We are today the leaders in cotton manufacturing : in the South ; our laws are most favorable and our water powers grander ! and cheaper than elsewhere in the , Union, strikes are unknown among ! our operatives and the greatest harmony and good will exists between j employer and employed. Our mills have continued to work to their ut most capacity even in time of panic, when Northern mills were forced to 'shut down; they have, with a few exceptions declared dividends ranging from G to 15 per cent, upon the capital invested, besides in many instances doubling their capacity from their surplus profits. SIMPLY APPALLING. While all this is encouraging and this industry should be fostered by every means in the power of our geni eral assembly, I regret to say the condition of the cotton producer is posij tively alarming. While the demand for cotton goods has increased and the price remains comparatively steady, we find the price of the raw material lower than ever in the history of our country in times of peace, yes even lower than ! the cost of production. In seeking for the cause of so abnormal a fact we are told that over-production and want of economy at home are the reusj ons. Our farmers are advised to raise j less cotton and practice more rigid - ' 1 I .1 v.. economy at nome aim icuve mu g"venimcnt alone. We are contemptuously told to plow on. Be not deceived, i This is the voice of usurers and liypo; crites. While over-production accord! ing to the law of supply and demand ! does tend to decrease the price of products, the decline should always he i iu proportion to the surplus stock. | Such has not heen the case with our I products and we must look elsewhere ; for relief. Sl'I'INE VICTIMS. We have heen the victims since the i Civil war of the most infamous system I of robhery under the guise of the Republican government known to the world. Our crops are now sold be1 fore they are planted and the price is i lixed by gamblers and speculators a , year in advance. The currency of our country is allowed to be restricted or inflated at the caprice of the bankers and bondholders, and it is invariably restricted, indeed to such an extent until now a dollar will buy almost 100 per cent, more cotton than it did two years ago. By the imposition of an unconstitutional tariff and unconscionable pensions, the fixed charges t{pon our farms have almost been doubled, until bankruptcy now stares us in the face. We are fast losing our position as an independent Slate and are becoming to the North what Ireland is to England, a dependent province. Our large plantations are being bought up and converted into hunting preserves by the rich barons who reap the profits of honest labor under a protective government. We welcome capital to our Slate in any shape or foim; but we cannot but deplore the hardships of our own people who are forced to part with I heir homes under circumstances that should not exist. l'AINITI. (il.Ol)M. It is indeed painful to me to picture to me the gloomy outlook ; but the time has come when the South and the i agricultural classes of the nation must strike for their preservation and cxist 'Pi?? tlJUl . X l?V ill move and must be led. The party which has been true to us in the past and to which we must look in the future, has suHered defeat from one extreme of the nation to the J other. My prediction to you has been fulfilled, and there is not a Democratic Stale north of Mason and Dixon's line. The Northeast seems deaf to our appeals, and the ray of light which we had hoped to see in the West has proved to he as fickle as an aurora ! borcalis. South Carolina has led in every great moral, social and political reform, and it remains for us now to set the pace for the nation which will ultimately bring relief to our entire people. You should encourage the organization of every interest in the 1 State; by this means alone can the will of the concurrent majority he obtained and an ideal government he i established. The only intelligent mouthpiece of any class is an organization composed of individuals who i constitute it. When these organizations are complete it will he an easy matter to marshal them under one banner, hearing the motto, "Equal rights to all and special privileges to none." I We of the South are powerless, hut we must not allow shackles to he placed upon us without an earnest and solemn protest. It is the duty of the general assembly to set forth in unmistakable terms that the world may read South Carolina's ordinance against the ' oppression of her people, and the efforts of plutocrats to centralize government and convert the republic into a tyranical despotism for the protection of hoarded millions. I will not oinririict *l Vtlnn fliV fill* JlTl'MI Illl? II ill.- iv/ r'lip^vou u |'ti?is I\/I t>?v organization of the agricultural and industrial interests of the nation. I can assure you, however, from the history of past nations that no emergency has ever arisen, however great, that some hold leader did not come forth equal to the occasion. Let your memorial he prepared by those who feel what they say, and the messengers of peace will hear it to the sympathetic lieayts and hands of the nation. A . victory grander than that by force of arms will thus he won peaeeablyat the ballot box. Community of interests must unite the South and West, and agriculture will he rescued from slavery. 11K 1.1' TIIK KAIK. I desire to call your attention to the State Agricultural and Mechanical society, better known as our State Fair association. This organization has received aid from the State until a few years past, when its management made tiie mistake of introducing politics into it. On this account the j society has languished and almost i died, you must rescue it. Nothing is so beneficial to society and good government as the assembling of the people to indulge in friendly rivalry in the arts of peace. This fair has become an annual volksfest, where out people meet and know each other, where the black eyes meet the blue, and the State becomes for the time being one happy family, with nc thought, but for the common welfare ' of South Carolina. I know of no State in the Union where a similar organization is maintained, and this in a great measure is responsible for the maintenance of our striking individuality, A small appropriation is all that i? needed to rescue thesoeiety from death and I am sure the money will be well invested and no true citizen will be 1? : T 1,1 ?.1,, II. i wuuiu i nut int society be incorporated, and that the governor and State ollicors he made exollioio directors, so that it may become, a quasi State institution, and at the same time give the people a guarantee that the money appropriated will he directed to the proper uses. MARK T11B EXPENSE LIGHT. I congratulate the people upon the fact that a constitutional convention is at last to he called in response to theii desires expressed at the ballot box This is a victory which means more : than I shall express to you. It is the must important matter with which you will have to deal, and should receive i your earnest thought and attention It should he called at a time most convenient for our farmers, lletnemhei | the stringency of money and the pov j erty of our people, and limit the mini ] her of delegates to the number of tin | general assembly. None hut patriots ! should he members of this convention and the pay of delegates should he sc small as not to make it an inducement for candidacy. Two dollars a day am i the same mileage allowed members o of the general assembly is suflicicnt Less than this amount would not sup i port a delegate in the city of Colnm hia. I see no reason why the sessioi of the convention should last over 4( days. If this plan is adopted, the eosi of the convention should not exceed j $25,000, a small pittance indeed to paj for eternal libertv and white suprenv acy. EDUCATION. It has been truly said that the host ! educated people are the happiest and easiest governed. This principle has always been recognized by our Stale We spend more money today for pub lie education, in proportion to oui ' wealth, than any State of the Union Our higher institutions of learning I equul those of any State, and in Clem son college and in the Winthrop Nor ! rnal and Industrial college for girls the system will be completed. Clem son college is the poor hoys institution and its doors should not be closed to t single one who knocks for admission If its capacity is too limited, enlarge it at once. Economy in this respeel is unjust and niggardly, for the Stat< receives hundreds of dollars in return for every one invested in training tin brains of her citizens. The Soutl Carolina college, which is our highei classical institution, should be opener to young women from the freshman tr the senior class. If our women desin I to enter literary fields, there is no jusi I reason why they should not be givet the advantages of our highest literary 1 institutions, and not be compelled tc i leave the Slate on account of a foolisl i antiquated sentiment. Co-educatioi ! has proved a success in the civilizec I nations of the world, and the best am I highest institutions of learning hot I j in Europe and America are now oper 1 to young men and women alike ; Gamhetta has truly said : "That it order to make hearts beat together j souls must he brought together." Tin ! present law of allowing women only in thejunior and senior class is ahsuri I and ridiculous, and while intended t< satisfy a demand for such education it is a makeshift and amounts to pro hibition. The brightest jewels of am j State are her literary and intelligen | women, and they should not he de prived of the Stale's bounty. KNCOr KAl i IN(i IN CRKAS 15. Our common school system is fa from satisisfactorv; hut under on present constitution it is impossible t< improve upon it. It is encouraging however, to note that under the opera lion of our separate school district lav the average free school term for tin State lias been increased from two am a half months to a fraction over four. We have performed our duty to tin Negro ]?<>ssilily too liberally, as a stud; of the reports will show. There an nearly 1 ">,000 more Negro children thai whites now enjoying the public schoo fund. This is a stinging rebuke t( those who criticise our treatment o this unfortunnale race. Our genera assembly has done all in its power fo the protection and elevation of tin Negro, and while lynch law has no been entirely stamped out, it remain ! for the constitutional convention t< provide suitable courts for the speed; trial and punishment of criminals win are invariably the victims of this men ace of civil government. (itVK TS SI'KKDY TRIALS, i Under our present system of trials i , is absolutely impossible to restrain tin people, who become convinced of tin guilt of the ravishcr. This come from an honest conviction on the par of our people that the best interests o society require that the victim of tin brute should he spared the humiliatioi of testifying in a criminal court, when her refined sensibilities arc laccrate< by vulgar cross-examination require* from the nature of the ease and fron being the cynosure of the eyes of tin blackguards who attend such trial and from the further notoriety of mod ern newspaper enterprise. This ma; be an erroneous view, but it has growi up with our civilization and spring from that high regard in which Soutl Carolinians have ever held the inno fence, virtue and purity of thei women. There is no difference ii principle between the lyncher and bin who violates any other law upon on statute hooks. The poor wretch win converts liis house into a barroom am gambling hell to evade the law am seduce our youth.is far worse. ('HOICK OK 85 I'KK CKXT. I am thoroughly satisfied after ai active canvass of the entire State tha the dispensary law, is now written oi the hearts of the people. Fully S. per cent, of our people uphold and re spect the law and it is my duty ant shall be my pleasure, to see that tlx remainder do respect and obey it ...|,;,.i 1 Here are cerium iiiuiiiijiimiiimjo > ?.!<.. have refused to eo-operate with tin Slate authorities in enforcing this law hut this comes from the fact that the) have regarded themselves as sovereign powers and actually in one instance have openly delied the State. It ma) he important just here to know wha is a municipal corporation and its re lation to the State government. Mr Dillard in his work on municipal cor potations thus defines it: "A muni cipal corporation in its strict and prop cr sense is the hody politic and corpo rate constituted hy the incorporatioi of the inhabitants of a city or a towt for the purposes of local government | thereof. Municipal corporations as they exist in this country are hod ies politic and corporate of the genera ! character above described, established ; by law partly as an agency of the State to assist in civil government o the country; but chiefly to regulate i and administer the local or interna ' affairs of the city, town or district I which is incorporated." | The principle of local self-govern I mont is peculiar to our republic and i: ; the very foundation of our constitu- j tion, State and national ; but it must j not be contended that in forming subi ordinate powers and agents the State releases entirely to such subordinate the right to say what laws shall he en, ' forced within their limits and what , , shall not be. They would in such ; eases no longer he the agent of the , i State to assist in the civil government of ! j the country, but absolute enemies of i the State. >11'NICIPAL KVII-S. ' The usefulness," says this learned author, "of our municipal corporations, has been impaired by evils that are ' either inherent in them or that have ' ' frequently accompanied their workI ings." Some of these may be briefly ! indicated : 1. Men the best lilted by their intelligence, business experience, capacity and moral character for local governors or counsellors, are not always, it is feared, it might be added, are not generally chosen. This is especially true of populous cities. 2. Those chosen are too apt to merge their individual conscience, if they ; haye.any, in their corporate capacity. ' T?rwii?t? tlm cImoLI nf f hni?' nnrnnt'titn | character men but too often do acts which they would never do as individ: ! uals. The influence brought to bear ? upon the elections for mayor and alderi men have heretofore been most corrupt ! and degrading. In fact the decent . property holding and intelligent voter is avoided as without influence, while I the barkeepers, paupers and ignorant ! Negroes are catered to. They control elections and thereby secure pledges ; from the successful candidates to see > that Sunday and liquor laws arc not , enforced. Policemen arc warned not > to interfere with these favorites of the : ; municipal government under the severe : 1 penalty of losing their official heads. f The recent exposures in the inctropo. lis of the nation of such practices are - sufficient to open the eyes of our legis lators of what is transpiring in our 1 i cities. For example: One of our ) cities elected three years ago what was t termed a reform administration. As 1 soon as its officers were installed they r revived certain ordinances calculated to enforce a stricter observance of the Sabbath, and such was the result, j Yet I am informed that such great t stress was brought to bear upon the i I city fathers by old offenders, Sabbath J > j breakers of all classes and ward poli- j tieians, that the ordinances were re pealed. r j NOT MUCH. i Is this the agency of the State con- | ' j templated by a city charter? Is the i Slate to stand aside and say that we j are paralyzed because, forsooth, our i : agents are corrupt? Shall the subor j dinate power dictate to rule its crea, | tor? What encouragement is given 1 the honest law abiding citizens of the country who risk their lives to enforce 1 | the law when law-breakers in the cities t ! go unpunished hv the failure of police 2 I to arrest and of city grand juries even ' ! to find true bills? This has been the 2 j greatest factor to create a sentiment, if ' j any there be, of country against town, r ! You are the doctors. The remedy is 1 | simple and you must apply it if law > j and order are to apply in South C'aro i lina, t The power to enforce the law must i : be taken from the hands of the munif I cipal politicians and placed beyond > i their control. It must be placed strong i | enough to guarantee equal justice to > : the rich and poor, the high and low. 1 You will be met with the cry of inI ' terference with local self-government. ' I It is false and a mere pretense to hood> j wink honest legislators. No lawyer of ' ability will deny the proposition that a 1 ! police office is not simply a municip1 j al officer, but he is an officer of the 2 | State. Therefore, his first allegiance is < ! to the laws of the State and he should ' be appointed by the authorities of the > State if necessary. . | In speaking ofthc relations of inuni* 1 cipal corporations to the State the sui preme court of Louisiana in the case of t Police Jury vs. Shreveport, uses this - language: "The government of police jury of counties formed one of the subdivisions ofthe internal administration ] of the State and is absolutely under i- the control of the legislature." This > same doctrine is affirmed by nearly every State in the Union where no ex. press constitutional provision exists. v INIr. Dillon observes in this connection, B respecting the authority of the legisla1 ture over municipal offices and olliccrs : "It is important to bear in mind the inn Kutii'/inn Sliitn nilipure llulf L. |in....u.u? , / is, officers whose duties concern that l? State at large, or the general public, i although exercised within defined tor1 ritoriai limits, and municipal officers ) whose* functions relate exclusively to f . local concerns. The administration of | justice, the preservation of the public i- peace and the like, although confined 0 to local agencies, are essentially mat* t tors of public concern. The supreme a court of Michigan in a well considered 3 case holds that the legislature had a y right to appoint a board of police com3 missioners as such hoard was not mu. nicipal; so in New York, Kansas, Maryland, Florida, Illinois, Colorado, Kentucky, Georgia, Indiana, and in t fact nearly every State supreme court l> has held that the legislature may take from a municipal corporation its charter, powers respecting the police and t their appointment and by statute itself j. directly provide for a permanent police for the corporation under the control 1 i of n boardjofpolice commissioners, not appointed or elected by the corporate j authorities, but consisting of commisj sioners named and appointed by the ) legislature or governor. e ' CAN TAKK AI.L. s ' "Police officers are in fact State or - public officers and not private or eorjr porate officers and a provision in such i a law transferring to such commissions ers for the purpose of the new police i the use of the police telegraph, station i. houses, watch boxes, etc., provided by r the city, is valid, since it only takes i city property dedicated to a particular n use and applies it to the same purposr es, changing only the agency by which 0 i the use is directed, the property is 1 still the city's." Hundreds of cases 1 could he cited going to show that the police officers are in fact State officers | and not municipal, although a particj ular city or town he taxed to pay t ! them. "The office of police was un , known to the criminal law. it is j enacted by statute. He is an officer . of the State in which he exercises his ] ; office.'' Bulk vs. Hardwick, 30th j East., 24. A STATU OKFJt'BR. i The supreme court of Connecticut 3 uses this language : "A policeman of , a city is a public officer, holding his r ' office as a trust from the State and not i as a matter of contract between him, self and the city." Having thus shown conclusively that the policemen are t State officers, it remains for you to - , provide the necessary machinery for . compelling them to do their duty. It - is impossible to enforce any law in the | - cities peaceably and quietly unless the - police are in sympathy with it, and ii?j - order to make them so they must not i be dependent for their appointment ! i ' upon mayors and aldermen elected by t. | opponents of the law. i In some of our towns ex-barkeepers are made policemen for the express I purpose of protecting their former as1 j sociates with whom they are partners j ; in the illicit liquor traffic. If this ' f i recommendation for metropolitan po; | lice were an innovation, there would 1 be some grounds for objection ; but it ; t | has been tried successfully in nearly : ! every State in the Union and there is no - ; reason why U should not be done in our * ' own State. It is no longer a question of expediency; l>nt absolute necessity. The pride of the patriotic law-maker should be the enactment of such laws as will secure the greatest happiness to the greatest number of people without regard to the welfare of politicians. STOI' KNTROACHMENTS. This is an age of corporations and laws should be passed carefully, guarding the interest of individuals against the encouehments necessarily attendant upon the growth of artificial personsand the oppressions of corporate wealth. One of the greatest evils of the day is this desire to incorporate any and everything. The merchant who desires to avoid liabilities to his creditors beyond the capital invested, finds an escape in the chartered company. Selfish neighborhoods desiring to tax the values of farm products, who compete with thein, find a way in the incorporated crossroads. The greatest proportion of the time of our general assembly is taken up chartering all manner of wildcat schemes and country villages and school districts. All of these companies can be chartered under general laws, and tliev should not he allowed to enter the general assembly. Nine cases out of ten the State is put to greater expense than is ever realized front the company. WANTS ONK l'KR CENT OFF. The practice of usury by our hanking institutions is becoming alarming and is unjust to both borrower and lender. While our farmers arc growing poorer from live cents cotton, the banks continue to declare dividends ranging from eight to In per cent. It is a matter of congratulation that embanks withstood the late panic without a failure, and we should encourage them, hut an honest hanker who is satisfied with what the law allows him has no desire to be compared with the shylock, who by foulest usury, is enabled to make a better showing of profits. Our legal rate is high enough, only three States in the Union having a higher one, and our laws should be amended so as to allow only seven per cent, by special contract, and cause the lender who practices usury to forfeit both interest and debt. Unfortu- ; nate debtors will agree to pay any rate of interest in order to save themselves and to keep the wolf from the door. No agricultural people can live with usurious creditors. From Moses to the present time usury has been forbidden, and Tacitus gives as a reason for the decay of Home the evasion of the interest laws. When usury lorded among them, Home dates the beginning of her downfall. It is not only practiced by our bankers ; but among ; our merchants and factors. It remains for you to protect the borrowers by stringent regulations, at the same time giving to the honest lender full and ample security under the law. STATE REFORMATORY. Almost every department of the | State government having been reformed, there is one which has not received your attention?the State's prisoners. : These unfortunate creatures are committed to our State penitentiary for punishment and not degradation. While of course there can be no such punishment without degradation, still I it is the province of government and of I Christianity to rescue the fallen, and if possible restore them to society. There | are 206 prisoners in the penitentiary of this class known as "juvenile offendI ers." Boys under the age of 20 years I should not be punished alongside ~df ? ?men of matured habits, with wicked . and abandoned hearts. The result of ! such treatment is invariably degradaj lion and ruin of the younger mind, and | when discharged from confinement they re-enter society with diseased minds and hearts only to return to prison for the commission of more serioiis crimes. These young offenders should at least i be isolated, furnished with different garbs and given good and wholesome instruction until our State is able to ; build suitable reformatories for them. WILL PLEASE CONVICTS. The practice of leasing convicts to private parties is repulsive to our institutions, results in cruelty and should i not be allowed by law. Under our new county government law, it is to i be hoped that our convicts will be put upon our public highways and give us j that greatest boon, good roads. I would suggest that this road law be amended by requiring all convicts | sentenced for a period of five years or m under to be placed upon chain gangs, ^ 1 instead of limiting this service to those sentenced to two years. It is as easy to protect and guard the one as the other, and a larger force will thus be. given our road supervisors. ONLY LEADERS IN THIS. It is not ray desire in this address to review every reform that has suggested itself to ine. I simply call these to your attention as of grave importance. I shall, from time to time, as the conI stitution requires me to do, communiI cate with you by special messages. A TRIBUTK TO TII.I.MAN. I In assuming the duties of the office 1 of governor, I cannot expect to fill it with the brilliant ability which has characterized by predecessor. I am conscious of the heavy responsibilities resting upon me and of my human weaknesses, hut I am reassured by knowing myself sufficiently well to cnj able me to offer my people a heart i which beats alone for their happiness and a hand ever ready to strike for their interests and liberties. I am powerless as an executive without your co-operation, and I feel assured that this you will freely give me. Your responsibility is as great as mine, and all 1 ask is that in your deliberations you shall be governed by those principles which will cause you | to enact such laws as will secure the happiness of the greatest number of { our people. HAND, HEAD ANI) HEART. ; 1 I now take my commission, thanking the people for the confidence reposed in me. In doing so I pray that the God of Nations will be with me, | and sustain me, and when I shall 1 have returned my commission to | those who gave it to me, may it ! be as pure and spotless as when J I received it. If I can then say: Be! hold, a happy people in peace, love and unity, my reward will be indeed great and sufficient. Asking the support of my friends, the charity of my enemies, and the help of God, I now dedicate my head, my hand and my V| heart to the.service of my State. 1 H\\ > r !-./ t .|. \r,>VL-v " \\ ilfL'ilt mmi - M .. .. ey was a term applied to depre- 1 ciated paper money before the Civil ' War, but more particularly to the notes of the banks of the State of Michigan, which had on their face the picture of a panther. It was applied to the hills of this hank by those who had suffered loss by taking them. It was one of the several opprobrious epithets giving to the money issued by hanks doing business under State charters, as well as to the banks themselves.?New York Dispatch. jg@TThe words in Japan for rat and fountain are very much alike. So an accomplished missionary in delivering an earnest discourse, made a very easy mistake of urging his congregation to "come and seek the living rat," instead of "come and seek the living fountain." Of another evangelist the story is told that he said in a loud voice, "If you don't repent, you will go to the postoflice," the words for postoffice and hell being very similar in sound.