Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1871-11-07
THE REIGN OF TERROR IN SOUTH
CAROLINA. fHDIa
Letter 10 Hon. Reveray Johnson,

Letter 10 Hon. Reverdy Johnson.
From the Baltimore Sun. October SOth.l
The following letter was received Sat
urday by the Hon. Reyerdy Johnson, 10
whom it was written. He has placed it
in our hands, at the request Of the
writer, and tells us that he knows that he
isa gentleman of high character, and
! that his statements may be, confidently
relied upon. Although Mr.. johnson Is
authorized to give the name of the
writer, he deems it proper to withhold it
| from the fear that it might subject him
10 the tyranny which now prevails in
smany portions Of his State. After re-
ferring to some matters Of personal
business, and stating that he is deeply
Interested in the proceedings now going
on in his State, he writes as follows:
Rock HILL, YORK DISTRICT. S. c.,
l. October 26, 1871.
Hon. Reverdy johnson. Baltimore. Md.
l. DEAR Sir: One of my brothers
has been arrested and thrown into the
common Jail by United States soldiers,
without charge or accusation. without
form or warrant of law, without the
shadow of right or justice. Before the
suspension OF the writ of habeas corpus
profound quiet prevailed in this section
of country; men were pursuing their
| business avocations in the most peace
ful manner. and season of prosperity
was beginning to dawn upon us; but
now words are almost inadequate to de-
| scribe the reign Of terror that is existing
among us. Bands of United States SOL
diers are riding the country, arresting
citizens by, the wholesale, tearing them
from their homes in the night, terrifying
women and children, hurrying the pris-
oners off TO jail, and leramming them in
dungeons and filthy cells. These arrests
are made Awithout warrant. Men are
ignorant of the ofenses for which they
are thrown in 0jaisg No explana-
tion is given the prisoner as to
the cause Of his arrest; no hearing is
allowed him. The innocent and the
guilty fare alike. The fury Of the Radi-
Gals is leveled against the best Of our
citizens. Old and young gray-haired
men, incapable Of committing outrages,
mere boys, innocent Of crime, are ar.
rested indiscriminately. In, time Of pro-
found peace, when farmers are engaged
in gathering in their corn aud cotton,
W. 90 srfar;nG for nr;res that have
80. 81 ,sos, 10 !, ,n;,,od and ,,rr;shed for
Se iii Il 10 80 ~ fa,;itv We
ono ,aor.od 49, bv tho TTn,toJ States
az Got "a,neu DPU" pn ocoour', ~ of robelIion
which-God save the mark-has exist
ence only in the imaginations of Presl-
Ies Iens Z, "Jih;s' ,t;tb else and
naAG ,nl;oi""S pU,Soe ne',o.is Thare 10 no rebel
I;nn us .Lnso ioPU,,I Los,;i;tv tn tbe. limited
81. o, e. Sn1,ts 20 no tlcro l. ~, resist.
2sa'es is.I IonSnnneI., .iu;a,' o;t5an State or
M ~ p'.i III niI;s;ons be-
euet"l, .-te" III, .nG hp.1. hep.,'S &C g. Ku'KinX and
t%een E"Ii at,neu oaa'us ,,,,ooir faIsa hose and
,euJ eueLn, vnoo1 ba;oat;oos ~ t. n,tored for a
slanueiouS S '''pi ''-''''o"'' N''N' ~
PHI IL ,.hor;tv of
ne crue,ry; e.n,, me ll,nua non @ nnon ns ;s
L .,iS inpS. IN hn n'eo .lN Limsh ~ obome IN
enougn " pIlns sne oi"sm y, sostan tbe
she oneeN m Sn,, Ne'o, a. az. oa,, and
near VI ~ itperlus, ~, "sHn H. tb;s
cnliu.e.s are 'ne gIeasess surst nnn.a:s;on ~
lhonssrous acs Gi I, Manton .Tpp ere lis,
.ney aIe pate ml;n ;ne anrlSns, ,n;sb' -" " those
1racteu VIII sriei anu anE u,S 1,r ann.
loveu ones upon wnoLn lhey .t lt H4 tbev % are
P1I' Sle .oli l,on. I"en' an" narcv Of
len Jei1msJaes 1an'In. n. anu AZ 'H ni ali this
unFon;na Sa y an.a;Ied 80 Hnu o,, neople
%n. &, 20 ,;oi,o5 pGn ou con.
80 s;",'o ,,o,,',,. ond Sat,an ~, .ho sno;ls
- 80 - - -. - IL.
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