National Republican., 1876-01-04
POLITICAL MURDER RAMPANT.

POLITICAL MURDER RAMPANT.
The South Carolina KuKlux, with the
assistance of Governor Chamberlain, ofthat
State, are attempting to inaugurate system
of political murder and rapine which will
enable them to carry it for the Democracy,
as the White Leaguers carried Mississippi
last fall In our news columns this morn
ing we reprint an editorial from the Charles
ton Ne,cs and Courier, referring to the
proceedings of q mass meeting in that city
on Wednesday of last week, the report OF
which more than bears out the direct charge
we make, that an invitation-aye, an in
ducement-to commit murder has been Of
fered by the leaders of the Opposition to
their followers in that State. The "South
Carolina Of olden times" alluded to in the
editorial was State in which the very
foundation of treason and opposition to the
General Government had its origin. 1t Is
for the restoration of this antc-beIium con-
dition of affairs that the editorial Pleads
condition in which the selfstyled aristo-
cratic few ruled with selfish determination
the destinies of a Commonwealth and the
welfare of their fellog citizens. The pro-
ceedings of the meeting in question plainly
show that to accomplish this restoration the
South Carolina Democracy is ready, will
ing and anxious to 60 to any extreme. In
short, the report of the meeting. the spirit
of which is epitomized ir the editorial
which we reproduce, shows that vicious
and reasonable stand has been reached by
these miscrcants, the only result from which
can be bIoodshed and revolution.
We have not one word to say in defense
, of Whipper and Moses, personally or po-
Itically. Their election to be judges was
an almost objectionable blunder, because
they are both liable to the charge of either
being corrup: or incompetent. We claim,
however, that their election was the result
of a deep-laid plot, the elimination of
which is now beginning to be developed.
If the News and Courier and its Demo
cratic friends and assistants Of the Cham
beriain kidney had truthfully and faithfully
accepted the situation at the close Of the
war and entered into active politics as Co
citizens with their newly -enfranchiscd
blacks. no such unfortunate results could
have happened; but they held themselves
aloof and allowed Moses and other rascals
of his detestable pith and marrow to assume
control of affairs. Finding at last that the
Republican party had been to some extent
disgraced, they resolved to disgrace it still
more. and by jesuitical Vaccinations they
succeeded a few months ago in SO managing
the political situation as to make it appear
that they defed the Republican members of.
the Legislasure to elect Whipper and Moses.
Partisan excitement was great, and party
spirit ran high. The defiance was mis-
takcnly accepted, the obnoxious candidates
were elected, and now the Republicans
find that they have fallen into the trap set
for them by their wary opponents. who
make that election an excuse for the rcor-
ganization of the Ku-Klux or a renewal Of
the bloody intimidation which secured
Mississippi TO the cx Confederate Democ-
racy.
We know that this is serious charge to
make; but we defy any unprejudiced man
to read the editorial in question without
coming to the same conclusion. The
praise bestowed in it upon Governor
chamberlain Is the sheerest sarcasm or the
plainest uIaclIi1yeIIsm. 1t is adpeiiy-
tended to mislcad Northern public senti-
ment with a false showing of regard for a
pretentious and easily duped Northern
carpet. bagger and so-called Republican,
for man, in short, who seems to be will
ing to sell his birth-right for a mess of
pottage, his manhood and political princi-
Piles for the inconsequential vanity Of
fieeting social recognition at the hands of
men who despise him because of his
yankee birth" But both the resolutions
adopted at the meeting and the editorial
declare that even Chamberlain's vaunted
efforts to accomplish reform in the Repub:
lican party have failed, and the conclusion |
is reached and announced that by the
election of Whipper and Moses 'fhe very
" foundations of our social fabric are en-
"dangered. " The Conservatives of Charles
ton pledge themselves to resist the natural
results of this election "to the end"
"What is threatened" continues the edi-
torial. evil, as last resort, be done.
"Moses and Whipper shall not defle the
"6encE by their presence" And, in re-
ferring to the Legislature, the resolutions
say they must be "driven from power"
Further, that the domination of their race
meaning the blacks, or the majority Of
the Republican party-"over the property
"and rights Of the white people Of the
Estate 1riH be resisted to the last, and
"UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES SHALL 1T
'PREvAIL." Further on the editorial de.
clares that 'fhe people must themselves
"strikc Tho blOw which shall make them
" free" Before this, it is declared that
when Chamberlain's power is exhausted
"and the Supreme Court fails us, the
people, in the exercise Of their original
rights, must arise and destroy the incar-
"nations Of plumber and revenge
ing the Republican members of the Legis-
lsture, who are charged with having
plunderei the State and electing, as we
have explained, the judges in revenge for
the treatment they have received from the
Democrats.
Is not this an Incendiary appeal? Is it
not, in fact, more:
MINOR TOPICS.