New-York tribune., 1869-04-03
POLITICAL.
uURpER AS AN ELEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC POL


MURDER AS AN ELEMENT OF DEMOCRATIC POL
Ir ...-- ,. r ITICs. -t.t...
The testimony taken in the contested elec-
tlon case OF H. Hoge against j. r. Reid IN tbe lla Non
ressiona District Of South Carolina, reveals tDe Iact
that the Democratic party In that Dsrlct III the
of last November resored to deliberate, wholesale muir
der as a means of carrying the election Starting ana
borle as tbis statement may SEEM regret 20 find
ourselves forced to accept t Among the witnesses VINO
testify TO the organization and murderous work OF the
Kr.Klux Khan Is W. X. Tolbert one OF the con
fessed murderers Of the colOred eenat0r 81 f. HhhdOpn
The Hon. r. X Scott, Governor OF the state testines
that during the months Of July August, September,
October and Novemberast, great excitement prevailed
I'm te counties of Abbeyie, Anderson, Edgefeld ana
Newbury and that the law could not be enforced III
those counties which form part OF the Illd congress
sional District because the Democrats were arrayed
scninst IL. lie received information that the Demo
cratic party was organized for the purpose Of preventing
the officers from enforcing the law against their par
sans and controlling the elections In the interests OF ta
party alone. The Governor further testihes; f'f"
( was Informed by men who claimed TO Belong 10
Democratic Clubs that they were proyuihg IN
win shooters and Winchester rifles. with the declared
purpose OF first controlling the election by keeping tse
negroes away from the polls and resIanes was saf
tho tid from attending at AZ nney ua VIZ & ,Tg ~
odg GTaS f isse sS DE decarnons There was no cleo
ZION for Congress Edgeed County, IIld Congressional
dutY 10 apnoint three Commissioners OF Election In
each county two Of these first appointed were white
White men objected to serve because that particular
colored man was member OF the Board. l seeoia-
was Mr. Root member OF the present House OF REPRE-
sontnves He replied TO ne that IL was imp0ssble Tor
the Board TO serve because lt rec an OF ~ M @ ~
save his life that he had been shot a twice I'D MS own
residence had escaped rom nus - ps s om his Mace Of
conccaluent In the swamp II was 700 ato teI 10 10 ap
Guired notice OF 30 days before an election could be
held The general condition OF political affairs IN thl
as regards their safety, can only state my opinion
based upon reports Of citizens living IN the county
MIR Poo ob,ced 10 .hc onihion pased upon euen
.9FinationJ think there was scarcely mas received
in the Executive Department during me months m OF sep
ember October, and November, 1863 thai uld not get
one or more letters reporting the murder OF citizens OF
the county and claimed In these letters 10 DO murdered
RI gcs committed them and begged of mo to send a
military force TO the county TO give protection against
laWless men,
The Same witness testhes that the condition in Able
vllo aud Ncwbury was very much the in Edge
Geld, and that he has on file in the Executive Office
reports OF 10 murders In Abbevllle previous TO the
November eeoton that, judging by the results Of
previous elections and the statements Of intelligent men
OF both parties in fair election the Republicans would
have carried Abbeylle by 1sOO to 1900 majority, and
Newbury by from 1000 to 200 The Governor also tes
fes as follows:
~ believe from evidence that dare not re-
gard WORTHLESS or@ 1st umss ss sGe on @eb Ssef %
the state that seymour and Blair would be
tho Reconstruction policy Of Congress. and 1t was the
intention Of those 70 nnugprate civil war aud overthrow
Will give reason for this belief Conversations
not uncommon among those who were most active In
importing those arms wherein they expressed fully and
openly their plan Of operation in which they stated that
they would bring about riot In this event they would
be prepared and kill Off the leading Republicans both
white and black and that IL would be an easy matter
after they were disposed OF, to control the rest Of the
negroes with these guns In their hands. The State OFF,
GERS disposed OF, they would call election, when
they would have the whole matter in their own hands
In nm af fhprf fnaVn af
they would be called TO account for this Wholesale
eS a oSd pSred e5d % ISS pT
NcwOrleans IN 1868 O. You think then the 6-shooters
were introduced for another rebellion and
sioni A. think 1t was intended for another rebellion,
but not new secession"
When we remember that Andrew Johnson had done
his evil inspire the belief that tho Reconstruction
laws were unconstitutional; that Congress itself was
constitutional in fact that pretty much everything was
unconstitutional except my policy" that tho conclaye
OF Rebels calling itself the DemocratcN Conyen-
ton, substantially Endorsed the views Of Mr. johnson,
and that Gen. Blair tho Democratic candidate for Vice.
President advised course OF action similar TO that
adopted by these South Carolina Democrats 1t Will
hardly surprise anybody that they should have pursued
the murderous path that was clearly pointed to
them.
Gov Scotts opinion TO whatwoud have been the 70.
suit OF fair election in Abbeve and Newbury must be
accepted as correct According to tho of 1850,
Abbeylle contained 1879 male Inhabitants, OF whom
10,093 coored and Newbury l2I5, OF whom 1917
were colorcd about two blacks to white. II is
probable that tho proportion OF whites TO blacks has
terialy changed since. Tho returns show 1928 Demo-
cratic majority In Abbeye, and 1865 IN Newbury Can
any candid reader doubt that fair election, In which
each should have had tho privilege OF deposng
his ballot without fear or favor would have reversed
these majoritiesf
PLATFORM OF THE GERMAN REPUBLICAN CEN
TRIAL COMMITTEE.
The German Republican Central Committee of
this city, at recent meeting adopted the following plat
form:
Security the existence perrnnence Of the United states as
nee and udsb republic amended Constitution
and "a It's the pr Of the Declaration Of Independence
represented M ~ e unon accordance sih the laws passed or % DO
the Rebellion the security Of the non pesee and
odeT 70 Tue several states will no. be endangered by such repeal
both or CoHsress aud State Legislatures amendment
~ Amendment Of the existing In recognition to
Ss & SpSe % ol european Immigration and The liberal Of the
iSuo1 sSd 70 make legal and awhl naturalization
more elrlesomt but prevent Illegal aud unlawful nauraanb by
Reduction y Of III. pgSTe expenditures rirenehmept strict
VI esuoh Of all laws and weakening the obligations con
SasSd%eat Of The l % uS tho pneoe that ,., and
VIII Adoption Of 'Sd nsSa sSss I iIi the $ only e and rational
Of equal rights aad equal duties to all citizens -
' common civil and criminal code pesngs
x All legislation relative religion aud religious customs Is against
"nilo9s hbefy as proclaimed Ia tue Constitution
ion Iy principle and sIperieSee P'"0'0' S'A
so lr,set are In violation ohe Constitution amendments art 0
schools Necessary Tor the public welfare u "' Pu0e
s ie sus 81 se gs@as ;Hsnose IN the public schools, be-
entities Then TO claim such consideration Tor themselves
Inc Officers OF this Committee Gen. Franz sgel
P'Heht Slaious OterDourg and William 0rasse Wee
retarics. Wv