The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-09-04
CoIrnn1A. 8. c.. Aug. q, 1868,

IOLCMBIA, .. W. huS' ~, Ao'o'
Mn. EDITOR Perhaps . few lines from q
reader Of your paper, will not DO entirely with
out interest to some Of your numerous readers,
and as one who is interested in the welfare Of
the country, and especially Of his own native
State, wish to give you few facts concerning
the state Of affairs In this portion Of the coun-
try, to show you, and the good people OF the
old Pine Tree State, the need there Is OF Wig
orous prosecution Of the campaign, from the
present until November, when We will roll up
such Q majority for Grant and ColfaI, that the
rebels, who have been defeated by the bullet,
shall be so Overwhelmingly defeated by the bal.
lot, that they will forever give up the hope OF
regaining the "lost cause"
After q residence Of nearly eighteen months
in the State Of South Carolina, and having
come In contact with every specimen Of human-
ity, from tho "aristocrat"- "chivalry" OF
South Carolina, to the lowly sand-hiller, and
the "cornfield hand" know whereof speak ;
and do assert that the cause Of the Union, and
the condition Of Union men, are nearly II not
quite as bad as they were in the years 1861 and
1862. And what Is the cause Of this, you may
aski Il Is easily answered. The rebels, en-
boldencd by the conduct Of johnson, for the
last two years, have determined that they will
vet rule the country, and to this purpose they
are using every means in their power, be 1t Just
or unjust, lawful or unlawful, to accomplish
their end. Democratic clubs have been formed
in every part Of the different counties. Resolu-
tons have been passed, unanimously, agreeing
not to employ or retain on their plantations, any
man, be he white or black, who votes the kadi-
cal ticket. ......
What Is the consequence Shall the black
L. IL bat thnQ We
ing themselves Of their liberty, or their very
lifei And yet II they do not, they arc threat
encd with starvation. Read the speech Of Wade
Hampton the idol Of South Carolina, delivered
In Charleston; also that In Columbia, which
had the pleasure Of hearing myself. He says
he will never yield to any, in devotion to the
"lost cause, never will he admit that the cause
itself was failure or Its principles wrong; new
or will he brand the men, who upheld II 80 no
bly,, as rebels and traitors. He said that ne
was proud to acknowledge that he asked 70
amend one section Of the Democratic platform
30 as to declare the reconstructed governments
at the South, Unconstitutional, null and void.
Il is such men a. these who affiliate themselves
with traitors north, who hope yet to conquer.
Instances are of almost daily occurrence, OF
outrages perpetrated upon Union men or loyal
black, who have sufficient courage to declare
their principles. In Abbeville county. few
days since, q man went into the field where G.
negro was at work, and drawing his pistol, told
him II he did not surrender all allegiance to the
Republican party, he would shoot him. The
black told him that he would not give up his
principles, or give his aid except in favor OF
Grant and ColfSx, whereupon this chivalrous
southron, this "law-abiding CITIZEN" shot the
negro, the ball striking him in the breast and
passing round under his right arm. The negro
sprang upon him, but not before he had hred
his second shot, the powder Of which burnt the
face Of the negro, a. they went to the ground
This black man then held him fast until fellow
workman went half mile to get tho Sheriff.
who upon his arrival refused to arrest the
would-bc murderer.
A Union man WAS very severely beaten In
Spartanburg because he refused to Walk through
the street with colorcd woman. A black man
was shot at In Laurcns, because he expressed
his opinion. after having been asked 10 10 % oy
an ex. Colonel.
You have doutless heard Of the murder Of
a. W. Dill. "member Of the legislature" his
wife. and A colorcd man, all sitting In the plat
N Of said DIS house, by party OF the X. X.
K. A Lieut.. who was on duty In treenvine
the other dAy Ws tauy cosScu out " -
"ladies" As damned Yankee" An eI-Colo-
mel Confed. army, in making speech In Able
vile, TO large gathering told the whites, ito
come to the polls armed, and II the niggen
didn't vote right not to let them vote at ALL"
simply cnumerate the above facts a. they have
come under my own observation, and - It were'
right at home.
I would not have the people believe that We
are passing through "s reign Of terror, not
quite % bad a that, but would wish to i'm
pres upon their minds the fact, that the SOUTH
eru white men are united almost to unit In n
vor Of democracy. and having never had any
opposition, they are determined not to be foiled
In their undertakings now. A northern man
coming down here, II he win ''cuss" the radical
marty and ''damn the Niger" will Be apt 70
do exceedingly well, but no man can now
come here, and express his sentiments In favor
Of Republicanism, without being In danger OF
mob and his life. 49,.
The condition Of the Freedmen, 10 very little
removed from what Il was. ct the close Of the
war, they generally work for part q the crop,
some work Cor wages, from six to twelve dollars
Ger. month, IN either case, they sre supposed 70
buy their ''provmdsr" Of their employer, con-
ssqusnuy (not that Il nsosssaay hrovs. b.
cause they pay % their employers bat i notice
Il generally y The oass) at The end Of the yeL'
they 6pA thsnsslvss minus, dollars and 60
9;nna vv;tin~ ths sl.cxs lam BIZ u1eoo