The Portland daily press., 1871-03-31
Condition Of South Carolina,
FOUR HUNDRED POLITICAL MURDERS SINCE
LAST OCTOBER.
A Washington dispatch Of Wednesday gives
ho mir rtnr s.,4a

A Washington dispatch OF Wednesday gives
the following startling intelligence:
number of prominent members Of the
South Carolina Legislature, with other civil
officers, are in town for the purpose of laying
before the Executive and Congress information
as to the condition of affairs in that State.
Most of them are colored men, and some do
not expect to return home at present in con-
sequence of the danger to which they would
be exposed. Among those in the city to-day
were Lieut. Governor Ransier, Sta.e Senators
Wimbush, Beverley Nash, Robert Small, and
FL. f. Hayne, with State Representatives Mob
ley, j. j. Hardy, H. w. Purvis, Gen. w. J.
Whipper and Benz. Byass. Major Butz, Gen.
Worthington, Sheriff Buford and Mr.. Thom-
ason, Assistant Secretary of State, are also
with the party. They have seen many of the
Leading public men, and some of them will
wait upon the President before leaving. Mr..
Wimbush was elected with Mr.. Eppipg. as
are representative Republicans They all
unite in describing the condition of affairs as
daily growing worse With the exception of
the attempt to murder DR.. Winsmitb, at Spar
tanburg on the 23d inst, there has been no
other act of violence SO fagrant since the Gov
ernors appeal for troops, but the number of
midnight whppibgs and other systematic
modes OF terrorizing has been greatly increased
in the upper counties
DR.. Winsmith, the attack on whom has al
ready been mentioned, is lying with five
wounds, not expected to live He is a man of
65 years, formerly the owner of 300 slaves, for
sixteen years State Senator, and Msjor-Gene
raj of Militia before the war His only crime
was that of giving in his adhesion last year to
the Republican State Constitution and Gov
ernment. His dwelling was attacked at night
and fled into, the fire being returned oy the
Doctor, who, it is believed, wounded some of
MS assallants. Hia son, who was brigadier
in the Confederate army. occupies the same
political position as his father. The animosity
70 these gentlemen, and to ex-Gov Orr, who,
it is reported, has also been threatened, arises
solely from the fact that their social standing
is such as 10 give weight to their political DO
sitiOns.
II is estimated by the Republicans mention
ed that, since October, 1870, at least 400 poll j.
Cal murders have been committed in South
Carolina, chiefly in the counties west of Co.
'unoia. Ihe number VI those who have been
whipped ami otherwise assaulted is much
iatger. In answer to inquiries addressed to
the ni these gentlemen give it as their opinion
thar the recent outbreak and attending vic.
lence are the beginning of the camuaign of
1917, and that the design of the Ku Kiux ia To
terrollze the Republican majority away from
tn polls Or into the Democratic ranks The
conspirac. Ignores Secession, it being asserted |
.nst the Klao" take an oath against it. 1t
Involves, however, a determination to seize hv
torce both the State and NatiooaI Govern |
ments. Que OF the most notable facts about
IN Nan IS that their bands are armed with |
IIhes auu reVoivers OF the most approved pat. |
terms. As evidence of this, it is stated that
during the recent fights with the militia in |
Union and Chester Counties more than mn |
mounted men assembled at Chester Court
House. all armed with new Winchester repeat
ing rifles and Colts revolvers.
White men, who otherwise are unable to |
provide themselves with the necessaries of life.
ace quite generally known to be in possession |
OF these expensive weapons One Republican. |
residing at Columbia, men ions, as an illustra. |
ton, the fact that German, whom he kBows. |
a worthless fellow, of low habits and yery |
poor, appeared on the occasion of some alarm |
at night, with Winchester rifle and two navy |
revolvers. Being asked where he got them, be |
replied, sob, they were giving them out, and |
1 thought L might as well have one as the /
othersw Where they were given out, or for |
what purpose, he would not say. Several of |
the delegation gave it as their opinion, from
Investigations which have been made by the |
State authorities, that the organization of
which the Ku-Klux are the visible represen-
'auves has extensive support from the North.
Hls mentioned as singular coincidence
~, mat the same ex-rebel General, who is stated
~ ~ Tue senate report on North Carolina affairs
~ Goise lave organized the Ku Klux there was in
n;o,an. ;,aoia short time before the recent most
attne ~ outbreak. On Monday. the Doth inst. |
80 49, G Sne Y hited States troops were withdrawn |
- l'oln ohestet Court House. a freiobt train With
car attached, having a numhar ~ na,".eI
men on poard, was fired into. FortnnotoiU no
mo