The New York herald., 1876-10-20
south Carolina.

south Carolina.
The features of the situation in South
Carolina, as they are reported in our news
columns this morning. are an address by the
Democratic State Committee impeaching the
veracity Of Governor Chamberlain and deny
ing the truthfulness Of the statements upon
which the Presidents proclamation is based.
and the details of another ambuscade and
murder of white men by armed negroes, the
present outrage being committed in Edge
field county. In view of these murders by
the State militia and the denial of the
political character of the rifle clubs by the
Democratic State Committee, the whole
question becomes one of inquiry, so that
the truth may be established. Fortunately
we have already some testimony on the sub
ject.
An address, signed by the German mer-
chants of Aiken, in South Carolina, to their
fellow Germans in the Northern States, has
been sent to the HERALD for publication, and
we print it elsewhere, together with letter
from Northern merchant, long engaged in
business in Charleston, who gives a temper
ate and evidently impartial review of the
disappointed political hopes of Governor
Chamberlain explains popularity OF the
present troubles there. Mr.. Chamberlain
ardently desired to receive the democratic.
nomination for Governor. So late as the 1st
of last July ne still expected this; but when,
after the Hamburg riot, he ran up to WASH
ington to consult with General Grant, in
stead of doing his duty rs Governor Of the
State he was cast off by the democrats, and
for this they are not to be blamed. They
wanted Governor, one who would SEQ
justice done and would enforce it by the
power lodged in his hands. Thereupon
Governor Chamberlain procured himself to
be nominated by the Republican Conven-
ton, took on the ticket several notorious
corruptionists and began to complain of law
lessness.
General Hampton, the democratic candi-
date, is man of character and response
bility. No one pretends to doubt that he
will stand by his word and fulfil his prom
ises. He has all over the State pledged him
self in the frankest and most positive man.
ner that if he is chosen Governor he will
protect the colored men in oil their rights,
and make them absolutely secure in person
and property. or rigidly punish any ono
who attempts to injure them. We urge the
colored people of the State to take him at
his word. They ought to see that their in-
terests and those of their white neighbors
are the same; that peace, honest govern
ment, strict enforcement of the laws, are
needed to encourage the industry of both
races. Governor Chamberlain and the
persons now on the ticket with him
have not given either peace or security
to the colored people. General Hampton
pledges himself that he viii. We advise
them to take him at his word to put the
responsibility on him; to trust him en-
tirely, and see if he fails. The colored peo-
pie of the South ought to understand that
the arm of the federal government is too
slow to afford them effective protection. It
Governor who, like Mr.. Chamberlain, in
stead of doing his own duty, runs to WASH
ington to cry for troops, will never protect
them if they need protection. If the col
orcd people of South Carolina are wise they
will in this canvass put themselves in har-
mony with the best sentiment and the most
influential class among the whites, repre-
sented by General Hampton. Let them
show themselves the friends of honest and
reputable government, and place themselves
by the side of Hampton and the respectable
white people of the State Thus they can
help to bring peace and renewed prosperity
to themselves and to the State in which they
live.