The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1872-04-11
Senator Edmunds and Generals
Hampton, Butler and KcrshaW.

We copy from the Washington Globe the
following proceedings in reference to the
above case:
Mr.. Robertson. Some time since, on the
9th of February last, pending the discussion
Of the amnesty bill, an assault was made on
the characters of three citizens OF South
Carolina. Not long afterWald received
communication from them. WEIGH desire to
have put upon the records, and ask to have
read.
The Chief Clerk read as follows:
WASHINGTON. February 19, 1872.
Gent1smsu:-In the report of the debate in
the Senate On the Amnesty Bill We observe
with surprise and indignation that we have
been charged directly and indirectly with
being connected with the Ku-klux organlza-
tion in South Carolina
1t has been declared on the floor Of the
Senate that there is now in the possession OF
the Executive Department Of the Govern
ment of the United States, evidence which
shows that we are at this moment, or were
m nth ego, the advisory board OF the ku-
Klux Klau. These are grave charges,
emanating as they do from Senator OF the
Uniued States, and promulgated as they
were 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 40 admission Of uilt, we
have repaired to the Capitol to meet these
charges and seek through you, the representa-
t.ves or South Carolina in the Senate, our
vndication Fl m :hesc degrading imputatons::
By the presentation, in some proper way OF
this communication before the same tribunal
in which they were announced.
Any charge that we, or either OF us, nave
at any time aided, abetted, counseled,
countenanccd or approved the ku.klux or
any unlawful association 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.
If the Executive Department has in 'ts
possession, as is alleged, the evidence OF our
completely with these, ofenses. we can only
say that we. hold ourselves in readiness. at
ali times, to establish our innocence before
the proper legal tribunal and the enlightened
public opinion of the country.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servants,
WADE HAMPTON.
j. 3. KERsHAw.
NJ. G.. BUTLER.
To Hon. T. j. Robertson and Hon. F. e.
SAWYER. United States Senate.
Mr.. Robertson. Mr.. President, this letter
has been in my hands for some time, but on
account of indisE osition, and on account of
other matters interfering, I have not pre-
scnted it at an earlier period had hoped
to bring up the Amnesty Bill, on which
matters pertain 'ng to my State would come
up, and would have the letter read at that
time. know these gentlemen, as | said
before. and l think them incapable Of being
engaged in any way as members of the ku-
Klux-K Klan. I merely wish The. letter read
to put them on the record as they dcsireto be
put
Mr.. Blair. In connection with the letter
which has just been read, and the statement
made by tho Senator from South Carolina,
desire to say to the Senate that upon the
same occasion it was announced here in the
debate which occurred then. that Hon. Rev
erdy johnson and Mr.. Stanberry. who were
counsel for the prisoners charged with being
Ku-Klux in South Carolina, had aban Toned
their case; that they were so disgusted with
the atrocities pr ven that they had abandon
cd the case. have in my hand letter from
Mr.. johnson. which desire in this connec-
ton to have read.
The Chief Clerk read as follows:
BALTIMORE. February 19, 1872.
iKy Dear Gcneral.-Your letter of the 18th
instant has just reached me. ltgives me the
first information have had that Hon. Mr.
Edmunds. of Vermont, made the statement
in the Senate which you quote as reported in
the Globe of the 10th instant. 1t is utterly
unfounded and untrue Neither my colleague
Mr.. Stanberry, nor myself Abandoned or
thought of abandoning the cases to which the
Senator referred for the reasons assigned By
him or for any other reasons. So far from
having done so. We remained in Colunib bla
liking part in the trials until We had accomp-
lished all that we had hoped for or endeav' p
Cd to accomplish, which was to get the con-
stituticpal questions arising under the Acts
of 1870-7l before the Sopreme Court of
the United States. This We did. and the
questions are to be argued in that tribunal
on the 18th of March next.
Since the receipt Of your letter, have
understood that in the debate to which you
refer the same Scnatoron others made impu-
tations against you and Generals Kershaw
and Butler. There certainly was no proof
given or preferred while ! was in Columbia
which implicated either ofyou: and although
I saw there perst rs of every Political opinion,
and conversed ficcly with them, l never
heard the least intimation that either Of you
had any connection whatever with the Ku-
Klux organization.
From my knowledge or Mr.: Edmunds' I am
satisfied he has received his information
frou source which he thought he might