New-York tribune., 1876-12-12
CASTE IN SOUTH OAROLINA.

or SOCIAL osTR RKCIsNf--WoMRN WHO PAY SCHOOL
TAXES ENTITLED TO sPEAK-THE OUTRAGEs IN
AIKEN COUNTY.
To the razor Of The Tribune.
SIR: As il took fourteen men To attempt reply 10
one womans letter, she asks little more space IN
your columns. When the attack. which seems 10
have been made to draw peoples minds away from
the truth appeared, my individual feeling was not
TO notice it but as already know of my letter to
you of Nov. 10 having been copied in II other
papers. and many readers in different States having
written me nearly 40 letters, and every mail bring
ing more all expressing thanks and sympathy for
mine or urging reply to theirs, the public have q
right TO an answer.
All the II are Democrats, and with a single OK
ception. Southern men. They are mostly store
Keepers, clearinghouse keepers, and lawyers. The
first probably lost their esteem" when ceased to
deal with them: the second will have all ever had
when it is policy, and the thiTd-lawyers-knows 80
little Of what they talk cannot wonder at their
signatures Five Of them do not know at sight.
and vet there are in this town and district q num-
ber of Northern Democrats whose names arc not on
that paper while not a single gentleman who votes
the Republican ticket has signed it, although sew
cral were asked. ] need scarcely make reply
about my school and its teachings; tho prayers ana
blessings Of the poor and oppressed are far dearer 20
me than the praise aud appreciation OF men.
The land upon which the school-houso is
built was paid for with my own money, and neither
poitical party can lay hand on house, land, fur
nture, books or apparatus and say minc," - that
her occupation is not gone" Since have lived here
friends in the North have shown confidence enough
in nv judgment 20 place thousands Of dollars In my
hands. TO he expended for the benefit Of the race
am trying to elevate, part of which went toward de-
frayup the expenses of our advanced pupils at nor
NAL schools and colleges 20 better it them for be-
coming Teachers No one, either Democrat or Re
publican can truthfully say that trust has not been
faithfully kept What do the fourteen know of my
school and it's teachings only one has ever been IN
il. and that nine years AGO. They may feel " the
white people are injured" because the colorcd are
educated, and certainly they know II there had
been one school ike ours in every district IN the
State the wheels Of Government would not be-
corged as they are by the results Of Ignorance
Of the masses.
The ONLY county meeting" ever attended was
a district meeting in June last one called especially
to levy tax for school purposes; and being deeply
and earnestly interested III the educational Interests
Of all classes and colors asked permission TO adj
dress the meeting. IL was granted by the Demo
cratic chairman whose name ~ among the fourteen
and several Of the others used canes umbrellas to
ical When for tho fiscal year ending in 1879 tho
women Of this county paid %9.514 10 rs school
taxes and the men paid only $9445 40, has not one
woman a rigkt 70 be hcardi The " social ostraci,n
is langhable spend all my Summers in the North.
and i'm Winter have calls and return them from the
very best Northern people that come to this town,
as we'll as from those living here these out Of
their circle and Ignorance on this point is not sur
prising There are many Other portions OF their
letter which could be proved 10 be deyiations
from the truth, but this local controversy is quite
secondary TO the great principles at stake. and
probably there not five persons outside OF this
town who for the personality in either letter.
/ can trust those who know me, and those ac-
auainted with Mr. Egerton can easily understand
how knowledge of such facts is kept from a gem
tleman Of his education, refinement, and culture,
Occupying the position Of pastor; and he has as
suTed me, since mine was published he did not
know them, ! accept lis word. Our position before
the world, in this case is to my mind of the least
Importance, and though Il men may write columns
of their opinion Of my character, and 5000" may
know Mr. Egcrton, $4,000 want TO know whether
ia these United States and in the first year Of our
new century, citizens Of the Union are denied the
most sacred rights which just government has
given to n free people.
diu not see Dtilt XIII loi VI ~
cents;n | did not see MIR. Houseman murdered or
Mr.. Parkinson robbed, but am willing to believe
it, and condemn il just as much they. These be-
long to a class Of murders that happen daily in the
most civilized portion of Northern communities;
but these incidents away from the point. 1t was
nv purpose TO show that men killed whose only
crime was determination to vote the Republican
ticket; and although they state il s false the state
ment carries no proof with il. The conflict began.
as your readers may not know, by a white woman
saying two colored mon had assaulted her. Armed
white men, 0ithout authority of law" went in pur
suit suspected sick man. arrested him, and while
taking him TO the wOman's house ehOt him. When
they reached her, she said he not he man; yet
he died soon after from the effect of the wounds.
The colored people had frequently been told there
would be big time, they gathered their forces
but the next day "rine companies" from Edge6eld
aud Augusta arrived and surrounded the swamp
where the cOored men were, and only the timely
arrival of United States troops saved their lives.
Many of the women who saw the armed and mounted
men were terrified that they went to another
swamp. They could not reach the men. One left
her dead child in the house and one took her babe,
four days old. Many will testify that they heard
the dead list read. did not write Of black list"
Istill adhere TO the truth Of all the statements in
my former letter, but emphaticaliy say I shall
answer no more personal attacks. My friends know
the truth of me, and my name and character are of
little Importance TO the general public, except they
can be used as scales with which TO weigh right
against wrong, truth against falsehoOd. i would
not have made this reply TO theirs if thought the
fourteen conscientiously believed the "higher law
required it at their hands. Respectfully.
Aikea, s. c., Dec. 5, 1875. MARTHA ScHoFIELD.