The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-05
ON THE CONGAREE
What the Governor OF South Carolina Had to
Say to the Herald Commissioner.
An Ex-Union Major Generals Opin.
ion Of the Ku Kiux Khan.
Arms Being Imported into South Caro-
lima in Large Numbers.

Commissioner we could see the far nils OF Lexing
ton county, the high dome OF the State House.
which fine night seven years ago was shelled by
Stolbrand, Sherman's chief OF artillery, and below,
IN the wide and well-shaded streets OF Columbia,
groups of pedestrians passed to and fro with that
peculiarly languid, swinging gait which is common
10 all Southern races The room was
HID IN DusKY PROFILE
against Southern moon and sky winch overhung
the Executive Mansion, and aiar or we could
plainly distinguish the roaring, helpless babble OF
tle two rvers-the Congaree and Saluea-that at
Columbia form graceful fork, near where the old
wire Jerry crosses the streams.
The Governor OF south Carolina, the best abused
man in the State by one section and who is promi-
pently mentioned by the black race their
CANDIDATE FOR VICE PRESIDENT,
is blonde, with rudy color and light brown
hair, which hangs IN clusters over a clear high
forehead ana shades pair OF piercing blue eyes.
Governor Scott is man Of large and powerful pro.
portions,
WITH A WELL KNIT FIGURE,
and was dressed, as is usual with him, in black
broadcloth suit. A little boy OF six or seven years
OF age, evidently mis- son, from the close resemblance
In features played at the Governors knee. As
the interview progressed nothing disturbed the
silence but the hum OF countless insects, whose
buzzing made rude melody drowsy In It's nature
al have called, Governor TO hold conversation
with you on the subject Of State affairs and to OBJ
tain some or the results Of your personal experience
in the process OF reconstruction. ] would like to
ask you first something about the Ku Klux. Do you
think
Is A MILITARY oRGANIzATIoNYr
'well, yes; in 1t Is. General and special
orders issued and sent TO county officers order
ing them to resign under pain Of
VISITATION BY THE KLAN.n
care these orders printed wrlttenY'
"Ihey have been printed after being served; but
arc not printed by the Ku Klux themselves. In one
case, in Fairfield county. copy was pushed under
the door OF a printing office, and the editor
ordered TO publish IT.
apo they serve notices on democratic as well as
republican papers9"
''oh, yes; and the editor OF the Wnsboro demo-
cratic paper Is said to have remarked that he would
rot DARE 10 REFUSE PUBLICATIONS
''Have you individually received Ku Klux threat
eningsT"
81 have received several communications OF the
Kind but they were from persons whom knew did
not belong 10 the Ku Klux. They were sent simply
for efIect.n
''aave any Of these threatened men called upon
you, Governor, for protectiongn
"A great many. and as far as was In my power,
have afforded IT. In several counties have secured
the presence Of United States soldiers by application
TO the President which is the only protection that 1t
Is possible for me TO afford.'
"Have you asked the President, in consequence OF
the late troubles,
TO SEND TRooPsYn
Il did very recently, and he responded by send
Ing them TO the points desiCnated-two companies
OF infantry and some cavalry.n
cat a rough estimate how many troops would be
necessary restrain the violence OF the Ku Klux II
II should break out In every countySn
IL ihink 1t could be done with single company OF
troops in each county. In fact, under the existing
orders they are OF no value except Tor producing
mere moral effect and for protecting those who may
appeal 10 them. | think however, that the Presl-
dent viii give authority TO the commanding officers
and turn the prisoners over 10 the United States Dis
frict Attorney for prosecuton-Major D. T. Corhln,
Of Charleston
"By what kind OF Jury would they be tried ~
"By jury composed OF blacks and whites. / am
satisfied that such course VIII either put an end to
the Ku Klux outrages or force collision between
the United States troops and these organizations
which would very soon end the troubles now exist
ing.n
.'What is the present force In the Statcg'
.'There are four companies OF cavalry and ten
companies Of infantry.
THE CAVALRY
however, are decidedly better, because the infantry
can do nothing unless they can reach the Ku KluS
on foot.n
'Do You know Simeon Young, the negro County
Commissioner, whom they recently attempted TO
assassnatef''
~ know him az an Official, but am not person.
ally acquainted with him. nave never heard any
thing injurious TO lhs Character
"Do you know watt Faulkner, the wounded Ku
Klux who was arrested for the outrageT
No cir hnar ri MN,
ton with his case.
care arrested Ku Klux ever released by the ct-
zens2o
This is the first instance in which one OF them
has been arrested, that there Is no way of md
ing out what the ciuzens Will do In Fairfield coun-
~, when
HUNDRED OR MORE
appeared there the Sheriff wrote me letter that he
was wholly unable make any arrests or give pro.
lection 10 the threstened parties 1 replied imme-
diatey that II his duty cali the posse COM
atd us and make an attempt 10 arrest. II there
resistance then there would have been clear case
Ior The United states to interfere and the citizens
refusing TO obey would have become, under the law
OF Congress, parties 10 the wrong aud
syMPATHIzERs WITH THE MuRDERgRs,
hence Liable 10 be prosecuted
''Dld any member OF the Taxpayers Convention
which recently assembled IN Columbia offer to CO.
operate with you IN putting down these ourages}'
mo, particularly, but q number OF them publicly
Rall IN the conference which took place in the
Executive orlee that their influence would be ex-
erteu 10 enforce the law and 10 maintain order and
guar antee security for the ves and property OF the
citizens. They Expressed their condemnation OF the
outrages that have occurred
'What Will be your course, Governor hereafter
when your county officers under threat OF assassna-
ton by the ku klux, send in their designations gJ
III shall certainly
ACCEPT NO RESIGNATION
under such circumstance
lyon viii make a test ofitW
al shall most unuoubtediy.N
"How do you do to AFFORD projections What is
your mode OF procedurcY'
There is no mode OF procedure except TO can
upon the President OF the United States Tor force
sulclen 10 arrest the persons known TO be engaged
In these outrages upon citizens. am confident or
one thing. nancly-that as soon as the people feel
mat the laws will De enforced there are large
number OF persons who VIII come forward ana give
faeir testimony. ] have such assurances from
scores OF men whom the community suppose 20 be
In synpathy with the Ku klux. Now. they dare
NOT express themselves opcaly. IL has been sup
posed that most OF tue citizens who were opposed