The Sumter watchman. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1855-1881, 1871-04-26

Ifs themselves with Us because OF FreJa-
dice against the name. i can see no
reason, however, why, the future,
such men may .not rise above these petty
considerations, and unite With the Re-
publican party in correcting whatever
evils may exist in the management OF
the affairs of the government.
SOUTH cARoLINAA REPUBLICAN STATE.
O.. Have you any objection to men
tioniug the names Of some Of the gentle:
men YOU embrace in this category, that
is to say, whom you regard as gcoa Be.
publicans? &
The Governor. Well, 1 have no reason
to doubt the sincerity of such gentlemen
as General NJ. c. Butler, General Nc
Gowau, Colonel Cothrap, Of Abheville,
Colouels Baxter and Simeon Fair, Of
Newbcrry; Colonel I. Y. Simons.> OF
Charleston. and many others of high
character, when they give public e1-
preston to principles that are perfectly
Republican in character. i am there's
fore bound to accept these gentlemen as
being as good Republicans as there are
in the State. -: j..
O. What do sou say Of the mass Of
whites who voted With these gentlemen!
The Governor. 1 believe thata large
majority are H.publieaOs a: heart, for
the reason, very easily understood, that
the chief issues Of the Democratic party,
so far as the State was concerned, are
absorbed, in the fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments TO the constitution, or are
sctt,ed by the war. They have nothing
left to stand on but that constitution,
which is our own vantage ground, and
thus it is ouly name which divides the
two parties.
THEK. K K.
IF this, in your opinion, be the Pc.
vailins sentiment of the people, how do
you account for the existence Of the Ku-
Klux klan
The Governor. In the first place l
DO not believe that all of the people who
have been recognized as opponents of
the Republican party belong to or sym
pathizc with the Ku Klux organization.
But that there are many prominent men
at the head of that organization, and
connectc4 with it id one way or another,
l have rot the least doubt. My state
mcnt is based on information which l
believe to be perfectly reliable. In the
second place, their acts indicate large
aud influential organization, although |
must confess do not attribute all ofthe
outrages committed in the State to the
Ku Klux. There are other parties
banded together who whip aud murder
for their cwn personal ends.
@. Seriously, Governor, do yon think
the Ku Klux organization is anything
more than Vigilance committee, such
as has existed during the incipieocy OF
several of the State Governments OF
America?
The Governor. Perhaps in once sense
it is Vigilance committee, but am
satisfied that its chief object is political.
It's whole course has been aggressive,
at the same time that it has pretended
in the Damc OF right to punish evil
doers and redress wrongs. Still, 1T can
be reached iu one way, and the General
Government can ad,pt measures that
will lead to the detection OF the men
engaged in it, without much more
trouble or expense than attends the de-
tcc;iou Of crime elsewhere.
Q. Have you formed any opirion IS to
the effect Of the Ku Kiux organization
upon the political complexion Of the
State hereafter?
The Governor. Very decidedly. [ an
satisfied that if anything was wanted to
thoroughly crys;alizc the Republican
party aud drive every colored man and
every poor white man into its ranks, the
Ku Kiux was the only thing necessary
Instead OF accomplishing their own po-
litical purpose they will lose by the re-
action against them. The United States
Govcrumen, is bound TO give protection
to the citizens, aud the eDtiYe South
may some day be garrisoned by troops,
who will see to it that mer vote accord
ing to the dictates Of their conscience OF
their interest. as the case mag be. a
further bad effect will follow, IN which
the Republican party itself will be injur
cd, not less than the people at large. in
all periods Of strife; the worst elements
invuriably come to the surface. The
most extremc and unscrupulous men
are ceHsio to be the most Industrious 10
secur;eg for themselves political posi-
tons from the domioa party, aud tbus
tha. would occur whish every we'll
wisher of his State moss wishes 10 avoid.
I say, therefore, that If the Democratic
party-if that be the party undcr which
this ku klux organization is operating
ain to achieve certain purposes, they
can adopt DO surer plan to consolidate
tie Republicans 10 a man. than to at
temp. to regulate by force that which
can in TINE, perhaps, be Won by senson
MINORITY REPRESENTATION.
/. @. Changing the subject, somewhat
abruptly, what are your views on ehe
pew question Of minority representation!
The Governor. l have given that
matter considerable reflection, and
believe the minority system to be the
best plan of representation. 4tsaust be
patent TO every one that minority
| unchecked and untraDmelled, may, by
| legislation, DO an inin;tc7 amouos OF
arA ,h,t the only mode BIZ which