Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

Below is the OCR text representation for this newspapers page. It is also available as plain text as well as XML.

COLUMBIA. Saturday Morning, March 16, 1867. Thc Distrancliiscd. The military law, known :is the Sherman bill, as will have been no? ticed by the order of Gen. Robinson, published yesterday morning, is in forco now in this State. To those who desire to participate in the elec? tions to be held in conformity to the Act, it is somewhat important to know who have the privilege of voting aDd who aro excluded. A cor? respondent of the Lynchburg Virgi? nian says that he is at a loss to know who can, under the law, vote for members of the State Convention. The Virginian, in reply, quotes the following section : "No person shall be a Senator or Representative in Congress, or elect? or of President and Vice-president, or to hold any office, civil or military, under the United ??tates, or under any State, who, having previously taken an oath, as a member of Con? gress, or as an officer of the United States, or as a member of any State Legislature, or as an executive or ju? dicial officer of any State, to support the Constitution of the United States, shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion against the same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a vote of two thirds of each House, remove such disability." From this, it would appear that the disabilities apply only to persons who, in certain executive, judicial, legislative or military positions, took an oath, previous to the late war, to snpport the Constitution of the United States, and afterwards gave "aid and comfort to the rebellion."' It does not apply to militia afficers of the States, even though they had taken such an oath previously, and fought through the late war. It does not apply to any soldier of the Con? federate army, unless, in some capa? city above indicated, he had taken an oath to support the Constitution of the United States. This is our opinion, and we give it, because we have been frequently asked, who were excluded by the new law from voting? That law having been officially announced as being now in force in this State, there is nc doubt but that Gen. Sickles, thc commandant assigned to this mili tary district, will, in a "general or der," give all necessary explanations of the law, and the rules for its ad ministration. -:-? < ? ? - Til?.- First Oistrict. The Richmond Times publishes tho subjoined order from Genera Schofield, and says that it mark thc initial point in tho .supreme con trol of this State by an officer o the Federal army, but its tempe furnishes the most gratifying cvidenc that General Schofield is a conserva tive, honorable and intelligent official who will not abuse the groat power with which lie has been clothed. W extract the principal paragraphs: "I. In compliance with the onie of the President, the undersigne hereby assumes command of th First District, State of Virginif under the Act of Congress of Marc 2d, 1807. "IL Ail officers under the exisi ing provisional government to pei form the duties of their respectiv offices, according to law, unless otho wise hereafter ordered in individu) cases, until their successors sha be duly elected and qualified in a< cordance with the above named A< of Congress. "HI. It is desirable that the m litary power conferred by the b< fore mentioned Act be exercised on! so far as may be necessary to a< complish the objects for which th power was conferred, and the ui dersigned appeals to the people < Virginia, and especially to magi; trates and other civil officers, t render tho necessity for the exerci: of this power as slight as possibl by strict obedience to the laws, an by impartial administration of ju tice to all classes." AID FOK THE SOUTH.-Both hous< of the Maryland Legislature, c Tuesday last, adopted a bill report? by the Committee on Finance, appr printing $100,000 for the purchase i food, supplies, and such necessari as may be wanting by the sufferers the South. -?-??-?- -- - THE NATIONAL DEBT.-lu the Hon of Representatives, on Monday. M Kelley, of Pennsylvania, asked lea to introduce the following: ''Resolved, That the propositi? that tho war debt of the count should be extinguished by the gen ration which contracted it, is n sanctioned by principles of som national economy, and does not mc the approval of ?his House." Mr. Wade is the forty-second Pi sident pro tempore of the Senate. Mani u lu t i iig tilt New Voter?. "Loyal" North Carolina is moving. At a meeting of the colored people of Raleigh, N. C., a Col. Harris, Senator from Rutherford County, was intro? duced. "We extract from the pro? ceedings the following, and append the resolutions adopted: Col. Harris said that he was ap? pointed by the members of thc Legis? lature to consult the colored people of the State, and to request their co? operation under the lalo Act of Con? gress. The whites had called a pre? liminary council of reconstruction, to meet in Raleigh on the 27th instant, and they desired that the colored peo? ple should do the same thing, in order that their delegates might meet ours here, and all the loyal men of the State be thus enabled to co-ope? rate in rc-organizing the present Stiite Government. Mr. Jas. F. Taylor then read the Act of Congress and explained its provisions. He warned thc colored people to be particular iu giving their support to any man, unless they were satisfied that he is a truly loyal man. Mr. W. R. Richardson then ad? dressed the meeting in a forcible manner. He was in favor of the late Act of Congress conferring on the black man all his rights, and, as a Union white, he was prepared to co? operate with them. The committee, through their chair? man, S. Ellison, then presented the following resolutions: Resolved, 1. We rejoice that tho thirty-ninth Congress has passed a law removing former distinctions ol race and color; we rejoice in the day that gave us liberty, and we will ever cherish and support tho cause of the Union. Resolved, 2. We will stand by the loyal whites of the State of North Carolina, and heartily accept their offer of co-operation. Resolved, 3. We call upon the co? lored people of the State to form themselves into Leagues, and organize for the work before them. The above is undoubtedly the pro? gramme that will be attempted by the so-called loyalists, in every Southern State, v, here there is any considera? ble number of them to organize and delude the newly enfranchised freed? men. God forbid that our sister State should lapse into the condition of Tennessee. ' - -.-?<<.-. POLITICS AT THE SOUTH. -A special tt) the Herald ot the 12th, from Wash? ington, says: Prom every State in ibo South wc have information berti that two dis tinct parties an; at work preparing for thc organization of convention; under the reconstruction bill. IT North Carolina Gov. Holden, ,Tudg< Settle and other radical Unionists have organized a party embracing al the unconditional Union men of tin State, white and black alike. Unioi leagues, with Northern settlers, freed men and Southern loyalists as mern hers, have been most effective in pre paring their several communities fo: the acceptance of thc* situation, bu i they will fail if they do not roceivi I assistance from Congress. They sa; I that the disqualifications of the re construction bill ure not comprehen sive enough to insure the safety o the Union cause, as many men nov in office will bc: able to talc?; the pre scribed oaths and secure re-election In Georgia the most thorough or ganization of the freedmen exists every county being represented ii the State Union League, and th party under Gov. Brown has joinei forces with them. In South Caro lina, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida Louisiana and Texas the organiza tions are not so complete, but thei ramifications are being rapidly ex tended throughout every county. O the other hand, the. class who fill th ollices at present are also organized and, among others, Gov. Worth, c North Carolina, has arrived in thi city, to work in conjunction with th Virginia delegation in obtainiug th detail of officers for the command o the districts provided for in the bili CONFISCATION.-The Wilmingto j Dispatch says: We learn that one of the larges business houses in this city has r< ! cently received advices from corres pendents in New York, of standin and influence in the commerci: world, warning against the extensio of credits, ami giving as a reason fe the atmest caution in this particulai the certainty of the passage ol' coi fiscation laws during the present se; I sion of the fortieth Congress. We have thought, for some tim past, that the Northern malice, whic I luis been pursuing our section wit so much vindictiveness, would lin vent in some practical measure of th; description, calculated to satisfy, avt rice as will as vengeance. The war against the South wu wageil because this section desired t escape the plucking of Yankee mei chants and manufacturers, and th persecution is now continued for th identical purpose. Confiscation wi be resorted to, not so much as i% mei sure of punishment as a means < feathering the nests of the masters? the situation. The South having been prett effectually foreclosed, the great (jue: tions now in New York, Bostiug an Brooklyn are impeachment and wc mau suflrage. Thc Apprehended DMHetilty In York. We alluded, yesterday, to some rumors from York District, relative to popular interference with the re? gular proceedings of Court for that District. As there has been some interest excited by the rumors, we give the following statement from the Yorkville Enquirer, which is authen? tic. The presentment of the Grand Jury is an excellent document: .'Wo reg'ct to state that an uti I looked-for and extremely unfortunate interruption in its business occurred tho lirst day, by the exhibition, on the part of some disaffected citizens, of a disposition to stop the progress of the Court by violence. At the re? cess, his Honor was waited upon by a committee, consisting of several citi? zens, wdio, we are informed, commu? nicated to his Honor that the people of the District were determined that the Court should ijot proceed with its business, and that violence would be resorted to, if necessary, to pre? vent it. His Honor, on returning to his seat in the afternoon, brought the matter to the attention of the Grand Jury, and directed an imme? diate inquiry as to thc extent to which this spirit of disaffection prevailed, and whether there existed any organi? zation of persons who were deter? mined to resist the holding of the Court. The excitement seemed for a time to run high, and fears ol popular violence were at one time threatening; but the direction giveu to the matter by his Honor seemed to allay thc excitement, and all seem? ed disposed to await the report ul the Grand Jury. The report was read next morning to a large and in? tensely interested auditory, and wt are pleased to add, that in vindica tion of the fair fame of York District, as an orderly and law-abiding people it was weU received and accepted as : proper termination of the unfortunate affair. This report will be found be low, being published by order of hi; Honor: Our inquiries induce us to believe that the conception of this interrnp tion sprang altogether from the bank nipt condition of our people, who finding themselves hopelessly impo verished, are restive under the effort of creditors to enforce payment ou of the meagre remnant of their for mer estates. Representations wer made that the like measures hud beei successfully resorted to in other Dis tricts; that the Legislature, in failiu; to provide for the relief of thc pen pie, had necessitated the taking o the remedy in their own hands; that nuder the recent legislation of Con gress, the courts of the State ar without authority; and that the at tempt to render and enforce judg meats was an unwarranted oppres sion. We aro satisfied that th movers in this matter contemplate' nothing further than to prevent til rendering of judgments, and that with this thought lilliug their mind. they overlooked the magnitude of th evils which would ensue from th condition of lawlessness and soon disorder into which we would b I thrown. i We express what we believe to b i now the opinion of every ono, tin j the purpose of violent Interruptio was confined to but ii few misguide persons, and is now regretted eve by those who were most active in i The business of the court is ?io quietly going forward. We lear that, on the civil side, little, if an; thing, can be done beyond the call < the summary process docket, whic is very heavy and nundi litigated. I the sessions, bills of indictment Inn been found for the offence of bu glary in two cases, and for thc offen? of larceny in one case. The trial < ! these cases will, we learn, complet the session's business. To his Honor Judye Monro: The Grand Jury of York Distric to whom was referred by your Hono to inquire whether there was any o ganized band of men in this Distric prepared and disposed to resist tl administration of justice, by stoppii forcibly3 the action of the Court Common Pleas and General Session now sitting in said District, repoi That after as diligent an inquiry i time permitted, and after being i j formeil by Mr. William C. Black, tl I chairman of the committee \vhi< . waited upon your Honor, that, so f I as he knows, no combination exisl I the Grand Jury, mindful of th? ? oaths, and of their duty to th? country, take pleasure in saying th they have not been made aware the existence of any such conspira or intended insurrection against ti laws and civil authority of ?Son Carolina. The people of York District hav ? in all time, from the days of 'Ttl the present moment, proved thei I selves loyal to the Govern nient ai ! institutions of the State. Contei plating this fact, the Grand Jury a constrained to believe that there' c exist Ln tile King's Mountain Distri i no combination of men, prepared tarnish the fair lanie of the Distrh of the Palmetto .State, and of t whole South, by conceiving and c? rying out any such suicidal policy j by proving themselves disloyal j South Carolina-by proclaiming thei i selves unfit for civil government I instituting mob law-by aiding ai ! sustaining the Muck Republican tc jority of Congress in their d?clar?t i of our unfitness to govern onrselvt and in their Act of imposing on t South military rule-in asserting the world that Andrew Johnson w I wrong, and the dominant party in Congress right, when Andrew John? son asserted there was civil govern? ment in the South, and said party asserted there was not; that when the President said the military bil! was a lie, he did not assert what was true, and said party has spoken truth. The Grand oury, nuviugconfluence in the intelligence, in the patriotism and love to this State glowing in the people of York, trust and believe there can be uo body of men within its limits who aro willing to subject themselves to the charge that they are in a condition of insurrection to the State, and lay themselves liable to the consequence thereof, either at tho hands of the tribunals of the State or of the military of the United ! States, whom we may look to be shortly among us, or by making i themselves liable to punishment for j the offence of riot. ! Considering these various matters, j which could be greatly extended, if : time permitted, the Grand Jury re ? ailinn the presentment, that they are ; not made aware of any combination : of men to resist tho action of civil rub; by the regularly constituted au? thorities of South Carolina. W. J. BOWEN, Foreman, j MARCH 12, 1807. On hearing the foregoing present? ment of the Grand Jury, it is, on motion of Mr. Solicitor Melton, Ordered, That the said present? ment be published in thc Yorkville Enquirer. R. MUNRO. ! OSE OF THE RESULTS.-The negroes i of Alexandria having listened to the j instigations of white sneaks from the North who prowl among them to ; filch their hard earnings, debauch their minds and secure political prefer? ment by slang phrases about the "bottom rail being on top"-thc negroes of Alexandria are beginning to suffer for the antagonism thus provoked. The following paragraph from the Washington Union tells j the whole story. It can be read I with profit by white and black alike: j "Siuce the election on Monday, not less than fifty negroes have beer discharged, and others will be as soon ns white men can be found ti fill their places; negro barbers ar< losing their customers, and hundreds of negroes are loitering around th? : corners, and their grumblings cai j be heanl by tho passers-by. Thov j aro pointing out to each other th? i men who discharged them, and ii j some instances threats of vengeance ' have been made. This is an un happy state of things, and it is no yet at its worst. The antagonisn is growing stronger and stronge every ?lay, rind what tho results wil be no one knows; but weare prett; sure it will not be of much benefit ti the negro. '" j A Goon SUGGESTION.-Thc Mern ' phis Avalanche alludes to the stibjec j of "Foreign Misssions," and says, in ; stead of contributing to such objects : "let our ministers give notice that , on every Sunday, from now until Jan j nary 1S6S, a collection will be take: up in every church for the starvin ! women and children of the ScutL j Let the public hear of it. Proolait j it abroad to all. It will draw man a man to some one of our churche who might not otherwise attend I Just think of the amounts expende j every night at tho theatres here an i in all our cities. This is a dail offering on the altar of pleasure Cannot our people give an offering once a we?*k, to an object so believe lent and so just ns this? Let ou ministers try the experiment. Chi rity begins at home. Let them ir voke the aid of all in this way, an for this (diject. Not for this or thc church, but for suffering wome ami children, who crave food an clothing. In all the Southern Stati are those too proud to beg, yet cou polled to suffer want and starvatio that would touch hearts of stou? Their silent woo and want are bi the more eloquent, 'vcause ni spoken ; and our first anet most hoi ! duty >'s, te alleviate this sulTerini. j With nursing and culture, the ni I glected tree may again bloom in a I its beauty; and, if we aro but tm I to ourselves and to each other, ot j land may yet wear smiles of th olden times. It is for ourselves 1 bring about this result; and f( ourselves alone. We are a differei j people from the North. Time au j facts all prove it. We must so r 1 gard ii. and look to aid only froi I our own efforts. First, lift upc ! their feet those who are strick? down. Heal the wounds which so I row and want had left. Remenibi I the blessings needed at home, b ; fore trying to bless those who a: j strangers and far away." j CHESTER DISTRICT.-The Standar j of Thursday, says: ? More than one thousand writs ai ! acceptances were served and receive in this District during the last wee Very few of our citizens escapi these interesting mementoes of fo ' mer transactions. In view of bli j startling and alarming condition affairs, we hail the passage of "tl Bankrupt Act" as a positive hies ing. and regard it as the only sens tile pi?tre of legislation enacted 1 the late Congress. Thousands w: be compelled to avail themselves < its provisions, and to com men? the struggle of life anew. Thc Flood nt Chnt(unooga-~LoM of Life um! I'nipcriy. Froin a gentleman who left Chatta? nooga at a late hour on Monday even? ing last, the Atlanta Intelligencer has obtained a few particulars of the ter? rible state of affairs in that unfortu? nate city. At the time he left, the Tennessee River was still risiug, the rain still falling, and the whole coun? try presenting the appearance of a vast sea of water. He was a guest at the Crutchfield House, where he re mained until the water reached tho ceiling of the first story of that hotel. On Market street, tin; main business thoroughfare, the water was ten feet deep at the highest points, or over ; the tops of the awnings in front of the large stores. The goods had been removed to the second stories of the buildings, where it was believed they would be safe, and the necessity of removing them to amore secure point was not seen until it was too late. Thus, m Ole than three-fourths of the dry goods, provisions, ic, were de? stroyed. Our informant estimates that at least two-thirds of the city is literally destroyed. He saw small houses floating hither and thither, while many large ones had either tumbled over, or were falling asuuder. The scene was one of wild confusion. Persons who had remained in their homes in the vain hope that the waters would recede, were compelled, in some instances, to make their exit through the roofs, and escape in boats. He could not give an opinion as to the number of lives lost, but they were numerous. The citizens were going from house to house in bords, assisting each other, and endeavoring to save a few valuables. While this was the case with the better class, vagabond white men and negroes were busy in taking advantage of the situation and perpe? trating robberies and other acts of lawlessness. Great loss will result to families whose homes had been aban? doned. Much of the railway stock was submerged, while box cars were floating about in every direction; the water in the car shed was over seven feet deep. The Tennessee liiver is fifteen feet higher than ever before known, so say old inhabitants. TIic Union Cement-Grant and Lice. The proposition of the Herald to unite North and South in a solid bond of practical union by electing Gen. Grant President and (ron. Lee vice President, in 1S68, has created a great deal of excitement, amounting among the extreme radicals to a panic. One of this class writes the following letter from the city of Brotherly Love: "PHILADELPHIA, March 9, 1867. ",/. G. Bennett, Esq.-DEAK SIR: You require every once and a while somebody to talk plainly to you, and in this connection lam constrained to say that yon made ad-d foolofyour I self by proposing, in to-day's Herald, to run (lens. Grant and Lee on tin same ticket for the Presidency aud Vice-Presidency, in 1S68. This would be an insult to the loyal people North and South, und will never be tole? rated, to connect a traitor with a loyal man."' Gen. Grant possesses the affection and veneration of all the people of the North and the respect of all the people at the South. Gen. Grant*is a patriot who served and saved his country in the field. Gen. Lee was a rebel, but confesses now that he was all wrong, and repents of his former acts, lt is one of the prin? ciples of Christian charity to forgive a repentant sinner. Tho election of these two soldiers would insure to the country union and fraternity at home, respect and influence abroad. We do not desire to compliment our correspondent as he compliments us, but we will say to him that it would be to his advantage to take a few lessons of some of his Quaker neighbors in good language and decent manners, aud that if we can succeed in uniting, the North and South and restoring peace, good will and prosperity to every part of the Union, we shall be content to allow him and all his degraded associates to call us '-a d-d fool*' as long as wo live, and to engrave the title upon our tomb-stone when wc die. [Nero York- Herald. Tm-: RADICALS EXPECT A VETO OF THE WILSON BILL.-The Republican members of the Sonate, in caucus yesterday, agreed not to fix upon a time for taking tin; proposed recess until after the passage of a bill sup? plementary to the "Act to provide for the more efficient government of the rebel States." In view of tin; fact that the acting President of the United States will probably veto such a mea j sure, it was also agreed that no recess shall Ix; taken unt il his action upon it shall have been communicated to Congress. The general impression is that the recess will terminate about the 1st of October. A number of j Senators are in favor of prolonging j it to December, but it is believed that ! the majori tv favor an earlier rc-assem bling.- Washington Chronicle, VHh. j THE RICITEST MAN IN THE WOULD. A London journal says, the young I Lord Belgrave, grand-son of the Marquis of Westminster, if he lives to inherit his patrimony, will bo the richest man in tin; world. Tho Marquis owns Belgravia, the fashionable quar? ter of London, which now yields an income of Cl,0(H) per day, and ten years hence, by the lapse of ground leases, will be ten or twenty times thia amount. The young heir is ; thirteen years of age. xjocal Itom?. We are indebted to R. McDongal, Esq., for a copy of the Glasgow (Scotland) WeeUy Herald, of tho 23d ultimo. Rev. C. Bruce Walker, Librarian, has presented us with a copy of tho "By-Laws of the University of South Carolina."-a pamphlet of thirty eight pages, from the press of Mr. W. W. Deane. FIRE.-About 7 o'clock, last night, a fire broke out in a quantity of hay stored in the cellar of Messrs. Browne ?- Schirmer, on Main street. Owing to the dense smoke, it waa a difficult job for the firemen, but after several hours' work, the fire was extinguished. Cot"KT-SENTEN<'ES. -Til(folioWlng sentences were passed, yesterday, by Plis Honor Judge Dawkins.: The "State vs. John A. De Vane - Manslaughter-Nine months impri? sonment and -Sl'lO fine. Same vs. W. A. Harris-Assault and battery-Fined ?300. Same vs. Henry P. Taylor-Assault and battery-?200 line, or two months imprisonment. Same vs. Thomas J. Robertson Assault and battery-Fined $500. THE WEATHER.-With the advent of the operation of the military bill in this State, we received a visit, yes? terday, of Northern weather, tn the shape of a fall of snow-flakes for some fifteen or twenty minutes, fol? lowed by a cold rain and sleet. Ve? rily', we. are getting reconstructed by even the transfer of the elements to our section; and we hope that neither our fruit nor our political prospects for reconciliation will be blighted by the unusual invasion. IL was still very cold last evening, and we fear the fruit crop will suffer. TAKE CARE OF THE ORPHANS.-At? tention is invited to the grand distri? bution concert advertised by the Southern Orphan Association. The ladies and gentlemen connected with this noble charity are well-known and prominent residents of Baltim ?re. By the investment of a dollar, you will not only assist in building np schools for the homeless orphans, but at the same time have a very good chance of receiving a valuable prize, in tho shape of a piece of desirable real estate, a large amount in gold or greenbacks, besides a variety of arti? cles of less value. No MOKE WHIPPING.-Among other interferences with State action, Congress bas decided that there is to be no more whipping for crime. The following is the general order on that subject from the military command? ant of this department: HEADQ'RS DEP'T. OK THE SOUTH, CHARLESTON. S. C., March 8. General Orders X,,. 25. Whipping or maiming of the per? son, as a punishment for any crime, misdemeanor or offence, being now prohibited by the laws of the United States, ali officers of the army and Freedmen's Bureau, in this depart? ment, are hereby directed to prevent the infliction of such punishment by any authority whatever. Bv command of Brevet Maj. Gen. i Robinson. JNO. R. MYRICK, 1st Lieutenant, &e. SEW AUVEKTISKMENTS. -Attention ia call I el to the following advertisements, "hieb I -in- published this morning for the first Mme: Copeland A- Bearden-Venison Hams. J. T. li Ajrncw- -Flour, Soda biscuit. W. Flutson Wigs-Night School. L. T. Palmer & Co.-Gift Concert. Notice to the Israelites. -.-? ^ ? ? We see by our files that our North? ern sisters are diligently engaged in examining their waterfalls, and the papers contain "astounding develop? ments" of the horrors revealed. One writes to the New York World: "J have long felt something moving ?ill over my head, and there has been a ' constant tendency on my part to ? shall I say it-to scratch. I now know ! the cause. T have abandoned my chignon, and have forbidden the wearing of them by my daughters, i Peace and quiet now reigns in a lately nearly distracted household. Those j who wish for similar happiness, must i leave off their waterfalls." BALL ON WASHINGTON'S BIRTH-DAY. ! A telegram from Paris says: "A ball was given on the 22d of February, at the Grand Hotel, by the American residents in this city, under the aus? pices of General Dix, to celebrate the anniversary of Washington's birth j day. Fight hundred were present, I anil the assemblage was very brilliant. A FREE BRIDGE AT RICHMOND. ; The contract for buildinga free bridge j across the river at liichmond, Vir? ginia, has been a.carded to Henry Exalt, lt is to be a stone arch 1,800 I feet long, with a roadway twenty-two f?-ei, wide, and sidewalk six feet wide. I It is to be located just below Mayo's i bridge, and will cost $250,000. ARREST OF SUSPECTED MURDERERS. ! We learn that three negroes, charged , with the murder of the late Captain George C. Hey ward, and against I whom there is strong evidence of I guilt, have been arrested and com 1 mitted to jail at ( ? ?lisonville.