The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-04-07

We extract the following letters from
the Washington Globe. They were pre-
sented and read in Congress few days
ago, and were subjects of the discussion
between Messrs. Blair, Edmunds, md
others, synopsis of which was fur
nished through our telegraphic columns:
Mr.. Robertson-Some time since. on
the 9th OF February last, pending the
| discussion of the amnesty bill, IN as
sault WAS made on the character of three
citizens Of South Carolina. Not long
afterward, I received q communication
from them, which desire to have put
upon the records, nni ask to have, it
read.
The Chief Clerk rend as follows:
WASHINGTON, February 10, 1872
GENTLEMEN: In the report of the de.
bato in the Senate OH the amnesty bill,
We observe with surprise and indicnn-
ton that we have been charged directly
and indirectly with being connected
with tho Ku Klux organization in South
Carolina
1t has been declared on the floor of
| the Senate, that there is now in the DOS
session of the Executive Department of
the Government of the United States
evidence which shows that we are at this
moment, or were Il month ago, the nd
vlsory board Of the In Kiux Khan.
These ore grave charges, cmnnating, as
they do, from Senator of the United
States, and promulgated, as they we're,
before the highest legislative tribunal of
the country. Apprehending that our
silence on the subject, which so nearly
touches our honor and reputation, may
be construed into an admission of guilt,
we have repaired to the capital to meet
these charges, and seek through you,
tho representatives, Of South Carolina in
the Senate, our vindication from these
degrading imputations, by the presenta-
ton, IN some proper way, of this COM
munication before the same tribunal in
which they were announced.
Any charge that We, or either of US,
have at any time aided, abetted, coun-
selled, countenanced or approved the
ku Klux or any unlawful assocation in
South Carolina, in any violation of law
or the rights of citizens of any class, is
utterly and entirely false, whatever be
the evidence on which the same is based.
II the Executive Department has in it's
possession, as is alleged, the evidence of
our completely with these offences, we
can only say that we hold oyerselves in
readiness, at all times, to establish our
innocence before the proper legal tribu-
nal and the enlightened public opinion
OF the country. Very respectfully, your
Obedicut servants,
WADE HAMPTON,
j. B. KERSHAW,
M. G. BUTLER.
To Hon. L. J. Robertson and Hon. +.
A. Sawyer, United States Senate.
Mr.. Rnbertson-Mr. President, this
letter has been in my hands for some
time, bnt on account Of indisposition,
and on account of other matters interfer-
ing, have not presented it at an earlier
period. 1 had hoped to bring up the
amnesty bill. on which matters pertain
ing to my State would come up, and
would have the letter read at that time.
know these gentlemen, as said before,
and think them incapable of being en-
gagged IN any way us members of the Ku
Klu1 Khan. merely wish the letter
read to put them Oh the record ns they
desire to be put.
MIR. Blair-In connection with the
letter which has just been read. and the
statement made by the Senator from
South Carolina, 1 desire to say to the
Sennte that upon the same occasion it
was announced here in the debate which
occurred then. that Hon. Reverdy John
son and Mr.. Stanbery, who were counsel
for the prisoners charged with being Ku
klux in South Carolina, had abandoned
their case; that they were so disgusted
with the atrocities proven that they had
abandoned the case. have in my hand
letter from Mr.. johnson, which de-
sire III this connection to have road.
Tho Chief Clerk road as follows:
BALTIMORE. February 10, 1872.
My DEAR GENERAL: Your letter Of the
18th instant has just reached me. It
gives me the first information I have had
that Hon. MIR. Edmunds, of Vermont,
made the statement in the Senate which
you quote as reported in tho Globe. of
the 10th instant. 1t is utterly unfounded
and untrue. Neither my colleague. Mr..
Stanbery, nor myself, abandoned or
thought Of abandoning tho cases to
which the Senator reforred for the rea-
sons assigned by him or for any other
reasons. So far from having dore so,
We remained in Columbia, taking part in
the trials, until wo had accomplished all
that We had hoped for or cnt]eayorel to