n voice of selfish
office-seekers, and put in office men who would dare to do their
duty at all times and in all places, without fear, favor or
impartiality, then, sir, would their rights be secured, and they
would sit down under their own vine and fig-tree, with none
daring to molest or make afraid; then would these lawless men
respect the rights of the occupants of the humblest cabin; for
the law properly administered would indeed be a terror to these
evil doers, and wherever that aegis of America's honor, and her
citizen's protection floats, men would fear to disregard the
rights of his fellows or take the law into their own hands; and,
my fellow-citizens, let me entreat you, in the exercise of your
rights as citizens hereafter, select only such men as are worthy
of these high offices--men who will do their duty. When I have
given such advice hitherto you have scorned it, but take heed in
future, for your interests, the security of your rights, make it
an imperative duty on you.

Mr. Chairman, if departed spirits are visitants of this earth,
and familiar with the actions of men, the spirits of the
patriotic Rutledge and of the sainted Gasden must have wept tears
of anguish over the degeneracy of these men bearing their
patronymics as they witnessed the outrages (the details of which
are heart sickening) which were perpetrated upon those
inoffensive women. Has the chivalry of South Carolina degenerated
thus far? Is this the work of her brave sons? Could they find no
more worthy foe than an aged, infirm woman, brutally maltreated
and her person exposed, who, even if guilty, should have excited
their sympathy? Another, in a condition that would have appealed
not in vain to the protection of savages, much less civilized
men, cruelly beaten, and her life and that of her unborn child
endangered thereby. Shame on you, degenerate sons of a brave and
chivalrous ancestry! The recording angel in heaven's chancery
must have shed tears as, with his diamond pen, he noted this
additional evidence of man's depravity. I am no advocate of the
"bloody shirt" doctrine, neither do I endorse the rash
sentiments expressed by the member from Charleston, (Mr. Davis);
but inasmuch as His Excellency has furnished this House with
official information of this out