Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1868-09-09
Correspondence between Gen. Bonham
q and Gov. Scott.
From the Columbia Phoenix.
.....sIne:.sr.lIarn q u Ann


70.His Ercellency Governor Scott. - '.'is''7s
SIR: desire, for the common good, to
bring to.your3attention, the critical relations
of the white and colored population of this
State.
The proceedings of the late Democratic
Convention, at Columbia have doubtless come
to your knowledge, in which statements were
made by delegates from Union and other Dis,
.tricts, going to show that the negroes are
forming in this State, secret military organi
cations. ~ - 'b2"
Near this place, there is a company of fifty,
with captain, whose name is known and
eau be eir.n. On Saturday last, at place
belonging 10 Gov..s Pickens. who is absent
from the State, they gave a barbecue. This
company, ora part ofit, was there drilled by
negro with epauletles on. 1t is said there
arc other similar organizations in the Dis
|irict You have also doubtless seen the an
nouncemeht madein Charleston paper pub.
lished insthe interests of the colored people,
that "..every plantation has its captain" On
the other hand, it is believed, there is not a
.corporal's guard of white men in this State,
under military organization, the United States
troops excepted. An intelligent physician,
who has The most extensive practice in this
section, informs me- that within the range of
his practice, the negroes are better armed
than the whites@many with the most ap-
proved weapons. This, with their limited
means, is impossible of themselves. Besides,
we have information that within few nights,
arms are to be brought for them, in d wagon,
by one of their number; to this place. ~
The negroes, 1T is said, have beenntold and
believe, that: they must organize thus to pro-
gtect their liberties; and that if Seymour and
Blair are elected, they are to be put back into
slavery--a thing that all intelligent men
know to be simply ridiculous. 1t is said,
moreover, and it was so stated at the Con-
vention, that such organizations meet with
your countenance. Such organizations of one
race must, of necessity lead to similar organ
izations of the other, for selfpreservation.
You-are the head of the conservators of the
peace in South Carolina; and if it be true,
which sm reluctant to credit, that your Elk.
,cellency IS countenancing such organizations,
1 admonsh you that you are " sowing for
the negro . the, ,Swind,n of which.she :. will
reap the whirlwind.n The conservative in.
'duences which have been hitherto exercised
in the interests of peace, by the officers OF
the late Confederate army, ,and other patriotic
citizens, will be powerless.to keep that peace,
if this. course of preparation for blood shed
be not arrested. The responsibility for its
breach will rest alone on the heads of the de-
luded negroes and their advisers.
f. Believing that you cannot be Indifferent to
| the impending dangers, | send you this ccm-
munication, with the hope that you will at
once exercise the weight of your position and
influence, to arrest this tendency to anarchy
and bleod-shed.
When war of races shall be inaugurated,
it requires no prophet to predict the result.
However few may feel otherwise, white men
will, in general, sympathize with their own
race, and the black man must 20 down. The
white men of this State, with rare exceptions,
you must have perceived, have no hostility to
the negro. '
The negro behaved well during the war,
and insthe main, since, when removed from
the influence of the emissaries, who have
played upon his crcdulily and prtjudices.
But it seduced into opposing, with arms,
Democratic success in the approaching Presi.
dental election, or if for other reasons, he
shall thgs secretly organize, to forciby con-
troll the, whites, a storm will be raised that
will not easily be calmed.
1 SAY TO you in all soberness and truth,
that the African can never thus tyralnize
over the Anglo Saxon in this country. The
people of this State, with few exceptions,
have observed in good faith, even to the pres
ent moment. the spirit of the paroles given
by our troops to Gems. Grant aud Sherman.
and will abide, the results of all constitutional
measures and peaceful ins,rumentalities, but
will not quietly submit to unauthorized and
armed negro domination. I am, sir, very
resp, ctfuily, your obedient servant
.. ,..,....... ,......i NJ. L. BONIIAM.