The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-04
-.EyERY PLANTATION HAS ITS CAP
TAIN.o

The subjoined letter from Ex-Governor Bon
ham to Governor Scott, with the reply Of the
latter, will be read with interest:
EpaEF1ELDC G. r., August 10.
70 HIS E1celleney Gouernor Scott:
a IS1R-I desirei for the common good, to
bring to your attention the critical relations
Of the white and colored population OF this
THE proceedings Of the late Democratic Con-
yention, 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 organ
izations.
Near this place, there is company OF tfty,
with captain, whose name is known and can
be given. On Saturday last, at place belong
ing to Gov. Pckens, who is absent from the
State, they gave a barbecue: This company,
with epaulettes on. It is said there are other
!, similar organizations in the district. You
have also doubtless seen the announcement
made in a. Charleston paper, published IN the
interests Of the colored people. that every
plantationx has its captain" On the other
hand, it is believed, there is not 8 corporals
guard Of white men in this State under militia
~ ORGANIZATION, the United States troops e1-
lcepted. An intelligent physician, who has the
most extensive practice in this section, In
forms me that within the range Of his prac-
tice the negroes are better armed than the
whites-many with the most approved wea-
: pons. This, with their limited means, Is i'm
possible Of themselves. Besides we nave IN
formation that within few nights, arms are
to be brought for them, in wagon, by one Of
their number, to this place. .
The negroes, it is said, have been told and
: believe that they must organize thus to pro-
tect their liberties; and that If Seymour and
blair are elected, they are to be put back into
slsyery-a thing that all intelligent men know
to be simply ridiculous, It is said, moreover,
and it was 30 stated at the convention, that
such organizations meet with your counte-
nance. Such organizations Of one race must,
Of necessity, lead to similar organizations OF
the other, for self-preservation. You are the
head Of the conservators OF the peace OF South
Carolina; and if it be true, which am reluc-
tant to credit, that your E1cellency is counte-
that you are ''sowingn for the negro ''the
wind" of which he will reap the whirlwind."
The conservative influences 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 bIoodshed be not arrested. The RESPONSE
bility for it's breach will rest alone on the
pheads of the deluded negroes and their ad-
visers.
Believing that you cannot be Indifferent to
the impending dangers, send you This COM
-munication, with the hope that you will at once
exercise the we1ght Of your position and inhu-
ence 10 arrest thus tendency to anarchy and
tbIoodshed.
When war Of races shall be inaugurated, it
requires no prophet to pradlct the result.
However few may feel otherwise, white men
will, in general, sympathile with their own
race. and the black man must go 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,
in the mann, since, when removed from the In
fuence of the amissaries who have played up
on his creduity and prejuJices. But it se-
duced into opposing, with arms, Democratlc
success in the approaching PRESIDENTIAL eiec-
ton, or il for other reasons he shall thus BE-
cretly organize, to forcibly control the whites,
q storm will be raised that will not easily be
Gained. 80
say to you in all soberness and truth, that
the African can never thus tyrannize over the
Angle-Saxon in this country. The people OF
this State, with few exceptions, have observed
IN good faith, even to the present moment, the
spirit of the paroles given to our troops by
Generals Grant and Sherman, and will abide
the resulsabf,a all constitutional measures and
peacefuI instrume but will not quietly
submit to- unauthorized and armed negro |
domination.
II am, sir, very respectfully,
= Your obedient servant,
- III. L. BONHAM.