The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-05-19
THREATS OF VIOLENCE.
TIE Ru.K1Ux n GEoRaEroWN.
What Representative Rainey has TO Sa!
on the Subject.
From the Washington Chronicie.l

From the Washington Chronicie.]
We have received the following from Hon.
]. H. Rainey, representative in Congress from
the First District Of South Carolina:
GEnRGETowN, S. c., Nay IL, 1871.
Mr. John II. Norris, Washington, u. O.
MI DEAR SIR-You have been acquainted
with me sufficiently long TO know that have
never made you false representation nor acted
in any wise like an alarmist. believe love
the truth, therefore would not pervert it to
subserve any purpose OF my own at the eX-
pense Of another. l am confident that what l
will say will find acceptance with you, and be
doubted by none who know me.
accompanying this letter transmit o no
tifcalion which I received on Wednesday last
from the Kn-KmX; it will speak for itself.
Heretofore this county was noted for peace
and order, but Judging from the notice re-
terred to, would say that the plough and hoe
have been forsaken, and the sword and mus
ket taken in their stead.
send this 10 you direct, because l am
aware OF the presence of many around and
about Washington who are incredulous on the
SUBJECT OF Ku- -Kluxism: believing the various
reports fallacious, aad entirely without founda-
tlon, designed only for the furtherance Of
party ends, regardless of truth or Justice, 10
the opposition. For my part have no other
motive than to stale the truth, and tnat cor
rectly.
The cause Of the bitterness Of the ex-rebels
against me is owing to the speech made By
me in Congress on the lst ultimo, IN which
took the occasion to use the following lam
guage: '.But with spirit more demon-llke
Than that of Nero or Caligula. there mas
been concocted another plan destructive. aye.
diabolical In its character, worthy only OF
hearts without regard for God or man, fit for
such deeds as those deserving the name OF
men would shudder to per'orm.' Again,
where said. alluding to the time elapsed
between 1865 and the enactment OF tns re-
construction laws: previous to that time
they felt themselves regarded as condemned
traitors, and subject to the penalties of the
law
For these and kindred remarks, have been
made to appear obnoxious and odlous IN Lnelr
sight, and my life threatened, by an arelcle
which was published in Democratic paper OF
This town. and The notification received. The
article referred to was well calculated to
arouse the Ire and vindictive feeling OF the
people toward me. They feel chagr.ned and
chafcd in mind because the truth has stunS
them. Each name mentioned in the "alarnl-
uun document are Republicans OF some prom
inence. Two OF them are members Of the
General Assembly. viz: W. a. Jones and J. A.
Bowley; S. r. Carr is county Sheriff; Il: +.
Heriol, collector oil the port. We are all 10
some extent freeholders and taxpayers. So
you can Judge the animus Of their action.
saw poor man yesterday who was COM
u QuiI Ills NOuie, HIS iauliiS any S.SPss
because OF the threatened aspect Of affairs
aSound him from day TO day: will assure
you that the poor people will not be able to
Withstand the pressure much longer. Ihey
are kept impoverished, and consequently ID u
destitute condition from year to year. Mark
you, not that they are lazy or Indifferent 10
their interest, but on account Of not being al
lowed, with safety, to work their crops when
most needing attention, or to harvest the
same after maturity. =,
nv fears are that want and starvation will
drive many good and faithful Republican
from our ranks unless they be secured in life,
liberty and property Those Of us who have
been notified have come to the conclusion 10
remain, and. If needs be, sell our lives dear as
the price OF liberty and manhood.
The following is the document referred 10
in the above letter: