New-York tribune., 1871-03-29
POLITICAL.
CONDITION OF SOUTH CAROLINA.

PROMINENT MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE
DRIVEN FROM THE sTArE-ATTEMPT TO
AssASsISATE DR. WISsMITII-FOCR HUNDkho
POLITICAL MURDERS SINCE OCTOBER LAST
WASHINGTON, March 29 "A number OF
prominent members OF the South Carolina Legislature
with other civil officers town for the purpose Of
laying before the Executive and Congress Information
as 10 the condition Of affairs in that State. Most OF them
are colored men, and do not expect 10 return home
at present. in consequence Of the danger to which they
would be exposed. Among those IN the city to-day were
Lelt.-Gov. 3nsier, State Senators Wimbush, Bey-
erley Nash, Robert Small, and H. L. Hayne. with
STATE representatives NObey, J. j. Hardy II. W Puryis
Cen W. j. Whlppcr, and Benjamin Byass. Major Butz
Gen. Worthngton, Sheriff Bulord, aud Mr. Thomson,
Assistant Secretary OF State, also with the party
They have seen many OF the leading public men, and
some Of them viii wait upon the President before eav
ing. Mr.. Nimbush elected, with Mr.. Epping, as
Congressman Large. All Of those named are repre-
sentative Republicans They all unite describing the
condition Of affairs daily growing With the
cepon Of the attempt to murder DR. Wnsnith at Spar
tanbnrg, the 2Jd ns there has been other act Of
violence so fragrant since the Governors appeal for
troops but the number of midnight whippngs and other
systematic modes OF torrorzing has been greatly liz
creased In the upper counties
Dr. Winsmiti the attack on whom has already been
mentioned. is lying with five wounds, not expected TO
live. He il OF 6j years, formerly tho Of 300
a
Of Militia before the His only crime that VI
giving in his adhesion last year 10 the Republican State
Constitution and Government. His dwelling was at
tackled at night and red into, tho fire being returned by
the Doctor who, It Is belle yed, wounded OF his as
saiiants. His son, who hieadier in the C0nfede-
rate army, occupies the s'me political position as lis
father Ile auimDSiy g. tho.e gentlemen AID to OK
GOy~Orr who 1t is rrpore has also beon threatened,
arisos soely from tn fact that their social standing
such as to give weigl L 10 their political positions
Ii is estimated % the Republicans mentioned that,
since October 1870, O. least 400 political murders have
been committed in South Carolina, chiefly in tue counties
west OF Columbia Tie number Of those who have been
whipped and ohorW so assaulted Is mu larger III an
swcr 20 inquiries addressed to thcm these gentlemen
give as their opinion Gt The outbreak aud at
t,ndus violence 'ho beginning Of the campaign OF
1872 ana that the dt ign OF tho Kuuy Is TO tcro1zc
the Republican majority away nom the polls or into the
Democratic ranks The conspiracy ignores Secession 1t
being asserted that tho Kan" take oath against IT,
IL involves, hOweFer determination To seize BY force
both the state and National Governments. one OF the
most notable facts about tie Kan that their ban - are
armed with rifles and reviewers OF Tire most approved
patterns. A. evidence OF this t is stated that during
tie recent fights with tie militia In Union and Chester
Counties, mere tlan 1000 mounted assembled at
Chester Com House, al armed with new Winchester re-
pcatius rifles anu Colts reyolYcrs
White mem Who otherwise are unable 70 provide them
known to he in possession of these expensive
weapons. One Republican. residing at Columbia.
mentions as an illustration, the fact that
German, whom he knows worthless follow,
Of low habits, and very poor, appeared on the
occasion Of alarm AZ night, with Winchester rifle
ana two navy reyolycrs. Eeng asked whcrc he got
them he replied. "Oh they werc giving them out, aud
thought might az well have one the Othcr," Where
they were given out for what purpose he would not
say Several Of the delegation give it their opinion,
from inv, s CATIONS which have been made by the state
auL0rte. that tine organization OF which tha "KUKllX
are Tie visible representatives has extensive support
from Tive North.
II "a mentioned q singular coincidence that the same
cx-Bebel General VINO is stated In the senate report on
North Carolina affairs to have organized the Ku-EluN
there, was in Columbia short timc before tie recent
most violent outbreak. On Monday, the co;h inst after
tho United States troops Withdrawn from Chester
House. freight train with attached having
a number OF colored board fired into. For
tunately hurt
the opinion OF the Delegation that the only way OF
usuriug present protection life and property Is to
use the United states army to suppress them, and
ateraFd garrison the disturbed ,ons until the exist
cncc Of peace enables emigration and capital TO settle
there. Icut.-Goy. Rauscr adds that be CARDS the
situation critical and is disposed to believe that the
sobcrthinkng men Of tho other party do counte-
these outragos that tho passage Of Amnesty
bill in liberal form VIII go flr 10 lessen the feeling
Of bittcmcs'. consequent, he believes, upon the
changed condition OF things Ia that section. He win
shortly give publicity to his views upon Affairs in South
Carolina aud viii urge that tho true remedy TO be ap
Piled looking to permanent peace, will be found in
better understanding between the two races, to be
brought about by "a conference Of tie leading men Of
both parties ana classes Mr. Ransicr joins In tAe dc
laand for protective legislation present necessity.
As the Chairman Of the Republican State Ccntra! Com
mce his views are oi Importance, as showing tie con
ciliatory tendencies Of the colored Republicans