New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-08-05
The Presidents Letter to Governor Cham.
berlain.

The Presidents l. etter to Governor Cham.
berlain.
The following is the letter of the Presi-
dent to the Governor of South Carolina, to
which reference was made in the dispatches
of the Associated Press on Wednesday:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
Washington, July %, 1876.
DEAR SIR am in receipt Of your letter
Of the twenty second of July, and all the
Enclosure enumerated therein, giving an
account of the late barbarous massacre of
innocent men at the town of Hamburg,
South Carolina. The views which you ex-
press as to the duty you owe to your oath
of Office and to the citizens to secure to all
their civil rights, including the right to
vote according to the dictates Of their
own ccnsciences, and the further duty of
the executive Of the nation to give all
needtul aid when properly called On to
do SO to enable you to insure this inestima-
bic right, fully concur in. The scene at
Hamburg, as cruel bloodthirsty, wantoD,
unprovoked and uncalled for as it was, is
only a repetition of the course that has
been pursued in other Southern States
within the last few years. notably in Mis-
sissippi and Louisiana. Mississippi is gov
erned to-day by officials chosen through
fraud and violence such as would scarcely
be accredited TO sayages. much less to
civilized and Christian people. How long
these things are tc continue, or what is to
be the final remedy, the great Ruler OF the
universe only knows. But have an abld-
ing faith that the remedy will come. and
come speedily, and l earnestly hope that it
will come peacefully. There has never been
desire on the part of the North TO humili-
ate the South; nothing is claimed for one
State that is not freely accorded to the
bo% no r,ph< 20
negroes and Republicans without fear OF
punishment, and without the loss of
caste or reputation. This has seemed
to be q privilege CLAIMED by few
States. l repeat again that | fully agree
with you as to the measure Of your duties.
Go on, and let every Governor where the
same dangers threaten the peace of his
| State 60 on in the conscientious discharge
| Of his duties to the humblest as well as the
| proudest citizen. and will give every aid
| for which can tind constitutional power.
| The government that can not give protec-
| ton to life. property, and all guaranteed
| civil rights in this country, the greatest un-
| trammeled ballot to the citizen, is in SO far
! a failure, and every energy Of the oppressed
| should be exerted, always within the law
and by constitutional means, to regain lost
| privileges and protection. Too long denial
| Of guaranteed rights is sure to lead to revo-
lution-blocdy revoluticn-where the suf-
fering must fall upon the innocent as well
rs the guilty.
Expressing the hope that the better judg
mcnt and cooperation Of the citizens of the
State over which you have presided go
ably may enable you to secure fair trial
! and the punishment Of all offenders, with
out distinction of race or color or previous
| condition, and without the aid of the Fed
eral government, but with the promise Of
such aid on the conditions named in the
| foregoing, subscribe myself, very respect
| fully, your obedient servant.
l u. S. GRANT.
To Hon. D. H. Chamberlsin Governor.