National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-01-19

6OO N6KEOcS EICCA4Ak AZ bAS
White Mans Government or Judge Lynch
Brief History Of the Province" Of Edge
field.
[CorrespoDde0ce OF the National Republican,
COLUMBIA, s. O., Jan. Il, 1875.
The absorbing interest manifested In LOUISIANA
affairs at the present time tends to draw atten-
ton from the lesser lights In the great struggle
between good government, order and peace and
lavlessness, confusion and anarchy. Although,
since the commencement Of the administration OF
Governor Chamberlain, the larger portion Of the
State has been unusually orderly, and d spirit OF
Difference displayed by the Democrats, there are
one or two localities where law is unknown, and
where at this date intense suffering exists among
the cOlored portion Of the population.
TURBULENT EDGEFIELD.
The Savannah river separates the county OF
Edgeheld from Georgia, and the whites from the
other side-knoWn as the Georgia Tigers''-dur-
ing the recent political campaign were always
prompt to respond, mounted and equipped, to the
call Of their brethren Of the rife and sabre clubs
in Edgefeld. These calls were frequent, and last
August. as the country probably now is aware,
they came over and joined with the whites upon
this side, upon the call made to suppress an in
surrection" by the blacks. This insurrection
grew out Of q quarrel concerning the payment OF
a trifling debt, due from q white to black; yet
the county was thoroughly secuted by armed
were stopped at Batesyille, on the line Of the
Charlotte, Columbia and Augusta railroad, and
the cars searched for prominent Republicans
aid. One man was taken from the cars, and his
life saved by the interpositiOn Of the judge Of
the circuit, who happened to be on the train The
county treasurer was forced to leave, and for
months remained in this city, by the advice Of
friendly Democrats. He was charged with haV-
ing made incendiary speeches, which he denied
publicly in the papers Of the State. This emeute
ended without bloOdshed which was an agreeable
surprise to all.
FIRING INTO HOUSES.
Soon after the above occurrence the house of
Ned Tennant-he had just returned from the
State nominating conyention-was fired into.
Ned, being captain of a militia company, COM
menced beating a drum, and soon mustered about
nifty men. Another insurrection was telegraphed
to Augusta, and over came the White League,
who, with hundreds Of the Edgeheld people, drew
up in battle array in front Of Tenants increas-
ing army of blacks and demanded his surrender.
He refused, and matters looked squally for two
days, when a compromise was effected through
the Intervention OF q United States army officer.
Tenant escaped during the night, and marched
TO the county seat, where he delivered the State
arms in the possession OF his company to the col
onel Of his regiment, and the whites dispersed.
INTIMIDATION OF VOTERS.
There was no open demonstration following this
until the day of election. On that day several
polls were destroyed, boxes smashed and stolen,
many colored men wounded and i've killed at the
polls, Mobiles, one Of the victims, dying in the
publican ticket in his hand. However. IN the face
Of all this, a small Republican majority was
polled.
AFTER THE FIRE BUGS.
Soon after the result of the election was de-
clared the houses OF two Republicans and the
store of another were burned. Then followed the
burning, at different times within the same
month, Of about twenty cotton gin-houses. All
sorts Of stories were in circulation relative to
these fires. Some stated that they were set in
revenge for the burning Of the houses Of Repu0-
licans; some stated that they were the deeds Of
poor whites, known here as "Sand- Killers" be-
cause they were forced to join the raiding clubs
against their will; others stated that they were
Sc: for the purpose Of creating the belief in the
community that the colored people were the fire
buge,n and many asserted that the blacks alone
poorer class were arrested and confined in jail,
where they now are awaiting trial.
JUDGE LYNCH AT HOME.
The excitement increased, and q huge mass
meeting was held at the county seat, attended by
ali the influential citizens oil the county The
subject was discussed amid much enthusiastic
cheering, and finally resolution was adopted
that thereafter any person caught setting nres
should be Immediately "lynched." Ex-Governor
Bonham, formerly a member Of Congress, OBJ
jected to the measure, as did few others, on the
ground of safety, and that innocent persons
might suffer, but their voices were drowned in the
general jubilee over the homemade law. To its
credit III it has any be it said there have been
Judge Lynch" was born in this State soon
after the Revolution, but long since emigrated to
the West He has as yet not exercised his au-
thOrity since his return.
ANOTHER PRETENDED SCARE
During the holidays, when the Republican
members Of the General Assembly had returned
TO their homes, Captain Ned Tenant took it into
his head that he ought to have his company arms
again, and applying to the colonel of his regi-
ment who is also State Senator from that county,
he TeeeI Y them. This was vas too much FOR the
fond of gun child is Of toy, and soon after
they received the arms, taking the Democratic
account, "they made many threats" (which they
n hSOlutely deny having lO0e-l land disturbed
the neighborhOod by drumming and marching
around at night. This was hre again in the finder,
and another mass meeting OF 1.-The good citi-
ZeDs" was called. committee was appointed
for the purpose OF
CONSULTING THE GOVERNOR,
and requesting him to order the State arms to be
returned. This committee was composed OF Gen;
NJ. g. Butler, Col Butler, Rev. Mr.. Mealing and
Others Of the "irst families" and they performed
the mission a few days ago. The Democratic &C
count given of this meeting with the Governor is
correct, with but few exceptions. To-day your
| correspondent called upon the Governor, and
learned that he had given the order, not abso.
lutely the reports have IL, but to be obeyed II
| there was no great necessity pending. The argu.
ment used is equitable upon its face. Because the
whites had all armed themselves at their own ex-
pense, IL was no reason that the property Of the
| State should be left with the negroes and hence
| the arms have been returned.
FREEZING TO DEATH.
At the meeting referred to the following, which
| cut from the local newspaper Of Edgefeld, was
| ADOPTED almost unanimously:
| "Resolped, That whereas the negro militiamen
| in this community have disturbed the peace OF
| the neighborhood and leopardlzed the safety Of
| life and property, we hereby pledge ourselves,
and those under our Influences and control, not to
hire, employ, house or shelter any Of said militia
| or their families"
The results ofthis cannot be described now. ]
| have seen two men from Edgeheld this morning,
and they tell me that from six hundred to eight
| hundred men, women and children are lying out
in the woods and swHmps, houseless and home
| less. The bitter cold storm that has ragged here
for two weeks has covered everything with ice
and need not give any further description fol
the parpose Of PortrRying the miseries Of the
colorcd people in that portion Of South Carolina
Gov. Chamberlain has dispatched q Trustworthy
officer to the scene to ascertain and report the
facts infinitely.
The county Of Edgeheld has always borne bac
reputation. One judge, who In ante beIIUm day.
had 1t in his circuit, used TO ride the journey u
the courthouse with many misgiYIngs. 1t hal
been, too, the home Of many able men-laWyeri
| and jurists. 1t is mixture Of POLAND ald War
saw, either one or the other by turns, and somt
times both. 1t is also the home Of Gen. Mar
| Gary, the cavalry general who would not surren
der, and was the abiding place Of Brooks, of Con
| gressIonal notorlety, and its delegates to q mar
voted against looming back into the Union
| Whether the county is any more o part Of thu
United States than is New Jersey time will tell
| WATSON.