Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-05-10
Letter from South Carolina
Claim CNvERsITY,

Orangcburgh, April 26, lN1l.
DEAR MESSENGER When we last wrote
we had fond hope that we had seen the
worst of the depredations OF those nightly
uarsuders known as d" Ku-Klux." but it
seems that the old pro-slavery leayen Is at
work in all portions Of our State, and when
the military by their personal presence re-
store order in counties where the disturbance
has been the most disastrous, it breaks cut
in counties which had been heretofore com
paratively quiet In Clarendon county,
near US, last week. one Of the county com
missiouers was brutally murdered \ case
of the murder Of family in Chesterfield
county, on Sabbath night, April 10th, was
Of the most brutal and horrId character,
and it seems the more shocking to u for the
reason that we were well acquainted with
the murdered man-Mr. Melton. At about
midnight Mr., Melton. hearing his name
called by some one at the gate, got up and
went out to know what was wanted. being
followed by his wife and daughter On
making their appearance, they were immeii-
ately fred upon by company Of armed
men. Mrs. Melton was shot dead Mr.
Melton was mortally wounded. and has since
died The daughter. at last accounts, was
still alive, but her recovery is regarded
doubtful Mr.. NJ. was a man of some sixty
years, Of a very quiet and peaceable DISPOSE
tion. The only thing that any one could al
lege against him was that he was an avawcd
and was ready any time To con-
fess bis political sentiments lie was Of
the class of poor whites who for mnny
years in South Carolina had been under the
feet of the overbearing aristocracy, but
when freedom came, it was an cmancira-
tion for many white as well as colored
people Mr.. Melton appreciated this change
in his affairs, and under the inspiration of
this new era, had been able for tile first time
in his life to purchase land and make for
himself comfortable home This simple
fact made his example to his ncigLbors an
unfavorable lesson TO those who can see
nothing lovely and beautiful in political
economy and supremacy, save in the former
golden era, when slavery and democracy
ruled the destines Of the South. In addl-
ton to this. Mr.. Melton a the last election
was one of the managers. tie bad also been
acting a. a deputy tax collector, ani more
than all this, although formerly member Of
the Methodist f. iscopal Church South. he
bad recently been attending the meetings
Of the NJ E Church, which is here called a
- Northern and Yankee church" Not long
since we saw Mr.. Melton, and he expressed
his intention of becoming connected with our
church, and related to Us a circumstance
where one of the leaders Of the Southern
church had threatened his life. and on one
occasion had shot at him with the intention
of killing him, on account Of has present
political opinions
Mr.. Melton lived near neighbor to Rev.
j. j. Fox, d. D., our preacher stationed at
)ro upon the Charleston District Of this
Conference We learn that Dr. Fox is in
ear of his life. and is compellei Tor safety to
leep in the woods, rather than in his own
ouse. The Doctor has been very careful
ot to NEEDLE with politica' matters, but it
5 enough for these defenders Of Southern
Democracy to know that he is Repub- ,
lean in sentiment and a member of the
ated - Northern Church.
This brutal and bloody murder OF ii wife
nd daughter shows clearly that these fends
ave been taught in the same school with !
hose who formerly had charge Of the prison /
ems of the South where the defenders Of 5
be Old Flag were deliberately starved to Y
cath, and in their debasement the harbarism t
slavery has consummated triumph i
orthy Of hell in which it originated We I
ave tried to make ourselves and others dear l
us believers in our stretch of hope and :
larity that whatever might be the fate of :
etiye and sturdy manhood, battling for the !
ght the women and children might sleep I
uietly at home at night, without the fear n
being assassinated but even the kindred .
nd friends Of known Republicans may we'll v
read to fall into their hands. q
Things remain as yet comparatively quiet
the University, although at night we have v
card the tread of sentinels about our quar- a
srs. As this building and grounds were i
nee regarded as a favored resort for the ar !,
tocracy, and the college one Of the most ::
opnlar in the State, it seems to bring up :,
,me unpleasant memories and associations i
, see it in the hands Of Yankees, and its O
alls and surroundings thronged with stu c
ents who were once the u0educated prop Il
rty of these former lords Of the South. y
ut we feel that God is with Us, aud wc r
ust in him He has called US to this work, u
nd we shall try by his grace to 10 our duty, >
avipg cheerfully all results with him Tor :
lis and the coming world
There is CLEAN Of light that comes to I,
s from the peculiar phase Of the present Y
olitical horizon. We refer to the address r
the Democratic members of Congress. Il