The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-04-25

Correspondence OF the New York World
~SpARTANBURG, April 16.
This town is situated in the upper part of
South Carolina, within twenty-five miles OF
the North Carolina line. 1t Is one hundred
miles from Columbia, the State capital, with
on the line of the Richmond and Atlanta Air
Line Road. The population is about twenty
five hundred, In equal proportions of whites
and blacks. Before the war the place
was prosperous, and is fast rega!niDg
its former prosperity. 1t is the seat of two
colleges, has two newspapers, 8 national
bank five churches for the whites and two
trade of the surrounding country. The land
owners ofthe county are generally well-to do,
for. in addition to the regular cotton crop,
thew make their own provisions, an advantage
seldom found in the South. This once quiet,
happy country tow Is now the scene OF one
of the most dlsgraceful prosecutions that ever
blackened the pages of history. What Is
meant by that crowd of excited people In
front Of the hotel? Let US go up and see.
The confusion Increases as we approach. We
hear the striking Of steel. 1t is nothing but
the rattle of a rlfle-barrel against q stirrup.
Through the mixed throng of whites and
blacks we catch a glimpse OF blue army-clota,
and we see the CLEAN OF q bayonet. But Inns
is not all. What is meant by those tired, dust
covered horses? We learn the truth at a glance.
Another raid; another securing of the words;
another hunt through hamlet and nall;
another race after the Tired, hungry, exhausted
victim, and there he stands, q youth, some
eighteen or nineteen years. old, In rags and
tatters, shoeleas, and almost hatless, with q
countenance expressing nothing but vacuity
no fear, no trembling, no entreaties-with
the air of a mar who, though accused, knows
his innocence, or If guilty, Indifferent to his
fate. he is the one who, they say, intimida.
ted the negroes and prevented them from
voting. He is the one they have been after
so long-Hve weary nights, night after night.
For him Ia this army of occupation, this post
For him Ia the treasury taxed-taxed to catch
him, taxed to try him, taxed to punish him
and he is caught; happy country, he Is caught.
But 1t does not always end thus. Listen,
Minor Paris vi the Oldest fisherman at
Cherokee Ford, a place that supplied
the country around with shad. He was poor
aud Industrious, with happy children and
In his boat attending 10 his traps. All at once
be looks up. and what does he see-the shore
covered with troops. He gives one pull and
Is out In The middle of the stream. Then
there was q bright fash, q sharp rattle OF
rifles, and no longer are his children happy,
for they ara orphans; no longer has he q Wife
for she is widow. The soldiers say they gave
lllC WOlo I utLA ~ ohA hS NtN ASsS "a
how does this alter the matter? He was no
fugitive from Justice; he was at hls daily work;
as much 80 as had he been In his corn. field;
He vas not even accused OF q capital
| offence. Has South Carolina sinned? Il
so, has she not also drank the cup 10 ~
bitter dregs? Plundered at home by faI
wore than enemies, warred on by the
government, must che also be made the politt
cal cauldron into which Grant must pour oul
vile compounds, his bitter drugs, to make him
self king by such incantatioDs and treasonable
oonspiracies? Look at this once happy country.
From Spartanburg, out In the direction Of
Cherokee, the scene of the killiDgof Paris, no
a single grown man is found, unless 1t be some
thieyIng negro or those whose age made 1t i'm
possible for them to get away. Here Is o FACT
which can be vouched for, which shows the ter
ror and uneasiness of the people: A farmer wa
found the other day ploughlng In bis field will
q saddle on his plough horse, and his fence lsit
down In several places: When questioned al
to his doing 80, ne replied ''he did not know
how soon the soldiers might be upon him, ano
he thought II bestto be prepared"