New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-07-19
49,

EDN EOUAx.
Especial Correspondence Of the Republican,
AFFAIRS AT THE CAPITAL.
WASHINGTON, July IA, 1876.
From accounts received here of the re-
cent massacre in Hamburg, South Carolina,
1t appears that the Ku.Klux of that vicin-
ity surpassed themselves in any previous
effort of their sttrocious calling, and almost
rival Sitting Bull and his band in every
savage characteristic. Details from Ku-
klux authorities do not essentially differ
from those derived from other sources; and
but little attempt is made to conceal the
satisfaction of the ex Confederate writer's
over the cowardly murder and torture of
unarmed men, whose only provooation was
their attempt at selfdefense. The follow
ing, in brief, appear to be some of the facts:
Hamburg, directly opposite Augusta, Geor-
gia, on the north bank of the Savannah
river, is populated almost exclusively by
colored people. On the fourth instant, its
colored militia company Ia part of the
State militia) sought to celebrate the day
by peaceful parade. It was ordered out of
the highway, with oaths, that two chival-
rous Southern gentlemen might pass. Com
plance was, at first, declined, but subse-
quently the ranks were broken, as com.
manded, to avoid trouble. The next day
the company officers were commanded to
appear before q trial justice to answer for
their aggravated offense. The writs were
obeyed, and, after partial examination,
further proceedings were postponed until
tho eighth instant. On that day the town
was early filed with hundreds of white
men from the surrounding country and
from Georgia, we'll armed, apparently under
command Of one Bntler, q malignant, unre-
constructed rebel, who insolently demanded
that the members Of the militia company
should surrender their arms. 1t was agreed
to do so if Butler would guarantee their
safety. This condition was refused and the
company retired to their armory. This
was immediately attacked by the despera-
does, but failing to dislodge the occupants
Intellectual attempt to fire the building,
it was accomplished by artillery. During
an attempt to escape from q rear
window, some of the negroes were riddled
with bullets, and others who were captured
were shot down like dogs after they were
disPossessed of their arms and the bodies
mutilated. Their appeals for life were met
by blows and responded to by oaths and
derisive merriment. After these barbarities
the town, according to one account, was
sacked. Every account thus far received
goes to show that q pretext was deliberately
sought. through two insolent, blaspheming
blackguards, for the butchery of these in.
offensive men, who, at their own homes and
among their own people. were quietly en-
joying the day without purpose to inter-
fere with any one. The leaders here, para
lyzed for the moment by the political con-
sequences threatened, have neglected to de-
tend this Democratic constituency by q
shout of "blOody shirt" or campaign lie.
The sundry civil service appropriat ion
bill has been agreed upon, save the portion
in relation to repeal of the registration
law, upon which point the Senate refuses
to yield. The Senate consented to a re-
duction of about So 100000. and the House
abated its demands to the extent of
100000. The abolition of the regulations
relative to the registration of voters and
the supervising authority of United States
<n <ha
villianous election frauds that have made
New York city, Baltimore, and other Demo-
cratic strongholds infamous in the past.
The conference committee have agreed
upon the silver bill. 1t issues So, ,00O, 600 in
subsidiary ooin, and removes the legal ten
der feature of the trade dollar. The silver
issued under its provisions will be legal
tender for five dollars, but it does not pro-
vide tor the retirement of greenbacks paid
into the treasury for silver. The legisla-
tive, army, diplomatic and Indian sppro-
pristion bills are all before the conference
committees, with no immediate prospect of
an agreement upon either.
The Banking and Currency Committee
yesterday postponed again the vote upon
the proposition to repeal the resumption
act till Monday. 1t is believed that it will
fail.
The swindle which passed the House
months ago, known as the river and harbor
appropriation bill, and in which about
every member of the committee sought to
increase his home popularity by securing
appropriations for the duck and frog ponds
in his district. has undergone a severe
course of treatment in the Senate. 1t ap-
as contemplated by the House retormers,
but the number of its bequests are reduced
and their amounts increased by striking
out the House appropriations for unheard
of streams and harb0rs unknown to CON-
merce, and adding the same to sums already
appropriated to places of Importance. 1t is
contemplated in the Senate to make the
terms of the Lawrence Pacific railroad bill
which recently passed the House still more
severe upon those monopolies. 1t is bad
year for Pacific railroads, and their lobbies
here are aghast at the outlook.
Since the disaster to Custer the adroit
reformers in the House desired to know of
the Secretary of War the number of troops
in each of the States and Territories, with
a view to showing that the Indian fighters
had been sent on their warlike errand un-
supported, while large bodies of troops were
kept in the South to overawe its chivalric
white citizens and force upon them a mig