The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-02-25
A TALK WITH THE GOVERNOR.
The Radical Plan for the Fall Cam.
paign.
THR MILITIA AND GENERAL ELECTION

COLUMBIA, February II.
Last night the correspondent of
the News had a chance conversation
with Governor Scott, Superintendent
Stolbrand and Joseph Crews, during
which many things were said concern.
ing the action of the republican party
at the next election. As the convor.
s;ition was private, the correspondent
asked the Governor if he would OH
ject to q certain portion of his re-
marks being published in the Ne,cs,
to which he replied that it was his
desire that what he said should be
published, and ho would be gratificd
if it were mentioned in tho next let
ter from Columbia. That portion of
the conversation referred to is sub
joined.
The Governor was asked if there
was any truth in the report that State
arms wcro being distributed through.
out the countries. lie replied that
arms had been sent to only one or
two placcs-York County WAS men,
toned as onc-whcrc the "Ku-Klux''
or some secret organization had been
maltreat'ng Republicans, beating
them and destroying their property.
10 tho question whether arms
would be generally distributed prcvi-
Gus to the time of holding the gcner-
al election ucxt fall, he replied that
the Legislature had passed an act pro-
viding for tho organization of the mill
tia Of the State and as it was his du-
ty to carry out the provisions of the
act, he intended to see them executed
as quickly rs possible. lie wished to
see the militia organized under men
who could be trusted to preserve Or
der i'll their districts at any and at all
times, whether tho disturkers of poace
were Democrats or Republicans; he
desired to SEQ all classes in the mali
tia, and it made no difference to him
whethor a Confederate or Federal
commanded thcm in fact, it never
occurred to him to ask such question;
all ho wished to know was, "would he
obey and execute the laws" The
Governor mentioned one or two Con
fcderatc officers whom he had either
entrusted or intended entrustinr with
militia commands.
In response to tho interrogatory
Would not the arming of tho militia
and their presence at tho elections
tend to provoke a disturbance and
cause bloodshed ? ho answered that
he thought not; that the knowledge
that thcro was force adequate to
check all disturbances would deter
tho evil-minded men IN any commu-
nifty from commencing or instigating
a disturbance. "But now let mo tell
Eyou, Sir" said he, "you may
rest assured that after the next elec-
ton tho Republican party will never
go before Congress stating that its
voters were intimidated or prevented
from voting by Democrats, Ku-Klux
or any organization whatever. The
Republicans want to have peace and
order during the next election, and if
possible they will have it. If the
Democrats can whip US fairly we will
submit; but we will not be driven from
tho State, rs some propose. We from
the North have come here to stay,
and indend to do so. If these Dem.
ocrats choose to practice their old
tricks. Of murder and intimidation
the result will be terrible to them and
to the State"
The above is almost a verbatim
statement Of that portion of the con-
versation, to report which permission
was asked and granted. News.