Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1876-10-26
The South Carolina plan.

1 The democratic plan of carrying
the Solid South for Tilden is by in
Intimidation, violence and murder. The
plan performed so well in Mississip-
pi, last year, that now 1t is being
worked in other States. South Car
llolina is Republican State on an
honest, free ballot, but it has been
promised to Tilden, and the White
Liners seem determined to make
good that promise, peaceably if they
can, but forcibly if they must. How
it is being done, the following extract
from letter in the New York Tri-
bane, written by white native of
the State, who is not Republican,
abundantly testifies. 1t is worthy to
be read and considered by every true
American citizen:
'Never, since the passage of the
Ordinance of Secession, have there
been such scenes in the State. The
whole white population is up in arms
and drilling. Wade Hampton and |
his colleagues are canvassing the
State. Everywhere they go there are
mass meetings, and torchlight and
military professions, recalling those
of 1S60-6l. A widespread system
of terrorism and intimidation reigns
supreme. The negroes, now so long
unmolested that they have come to
look upon freedom as the natural Or
der OF things, have been suddenly
awakened from their dream. They
see the military drilling all around
them. Dark faces scowl at them
when they go abroad. They hear of
secret meetings and gatherings of
their old-time owners. Whisperings
of the Hamburg butchery reach them.
They hear the whites all around them
saying that the bottom rail has been
on top long enough; that the darkey
has got to step down and out; that
Hampton must be elected. In alarm
they call mass meeting of Republi- ;
cans for consultation. Their promi- {
nent men are invited to be present
and speak. The time comes. Thou
sands are present. They organize,
md the speaking begins. Suddenly
, commotion arises. The orator stops. I
The tap of the drum and the sound
IF the bugle are heard down the road.
rwo long columns of white soldiery,
.rmed to the teeth, mounted and on
DOT, come filing around the corner,
md march to the platform. They
bush aside the frightened negroes,
md select the best seats. Their lead
RS, ex-Confederate, then mount the a
platform, and demand half the time ,
or Democratic speakers. 1t is trem-
,lingly accorded. A Confederate 2
General arises, delivers blood and p
bsrangne, telling tho negroes
hey have been fools long enough, 1
lave got to discard their present lead
rs and come back to their old mas 7
ers, who intend to carry the election, I
'eaceably if they can, but forcibly if
hey are resisted. A Republican fol-
ows. He is greeted with a storm of
lisses and deafening yell of deris-
On from the military. He mutters
ew words, every sentence being
lrowned by the hootings. At last .
ointment is uttered loud enough to
'e heard. Forthwith an armed bully
teps forward from the ranks and q
that assertion lie. The
peaker dares not resent the insult
ay, he dares not notice or allude to
t. He talks Oh for while. But the
insults, jeers, impertinent questions, :
&C.. come faster and faster, and final
Y, in alarm for his life, he resumes
is seat. When the Kissing has sub
ided, another Confederate takes the -
oor. He goes over the rambling re- y
larks of the poor Republican, pro-
ounces each and every one of them
n Infamous, malicious, damnable lie, .
nd dares him to arise and say they
re not. There is wild cheering. The
quivering with fear and n
1dignation, is forced to swallow it at Y
he point of the bayonet. The 9th 7
r speakers on his side are treated
l the same way. The meeting breaks
p with three times three and tiger
'r Hampton and Tilden. And such
the negroes as have not already :
ed in alarm are followed to their
ONES by the jeers and curses of the
flemen."
This is free speech with a ven-
eance. And because Gen. Grant
roposes to give to every man his
institutional right to speak and CT
ote as he pleases, the democrats -
owl themselves hoarse about "arbi- :
ary measures" etc. Surely honest :
will not follow in the wake
such leaders. 1t is crime against e
zee institutions, unprovoked and in
.mous. Vote for HAYES, and save ..
n yourselves and your children, "
zee speech, and a free ballot. \