Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-23
CoLuMplA, SUNDAY. Oct u. 1876.

COLUMBIA, Sunday, Oct -, 1876.
Since Gov. Chamberlain issued his proclamation
disbanding the South Carolina riAe and sabre
clubs, which were organized since the opening OF
the political campaign, the democratic newspapers
Of this state have been filed with inhammatory
articles calling upon the "braye men of the south
to protect their honor to preserve their organic
alton; never to obey the orders Of 1.-THE upstart
from the north" and to "defy the power OF the
ia Iical usurper" At the same time these same
journals have tried to prove by repeated asser-
lions that the clubs which the Governor has or
dered to disband had done nothing TO disturb the
peace of the State; that they had not been or
gan zed for political purposes that they never at
tended political meetings, and that they were not
armed aud drilled like regular soldiers. meet
ing of republicans held at Edgeiied Courthouse
yesterday proves beyond all question that these
assertions were false in every particular. As 1t
is perhaps unnecessary to state at tins late date,
Edgefeld county originated 1.-THE shot pohcy
| in South Carolina. The who is known as
| "IIamburg Massacre Butler" lives in Edgefeld-
in short, 1t is inhabited by some Of the most des-
perate aud lawess democrats in the whole south.
In every fair election held since the war the coun-
ty has gone republican by very large majouties,
but this year because of the slaughter at Ham
burg and the many acts of intimidation and yio-
lenCe which followed, and which are still contln
ued, the leading men Of the republican party who
lived in the county were obliged to leave their
homes, fearing for their lives, and the negro v0-
tiers became dlsorganized and disheartened. Wade
Hampton's friends, seeing their advantage, CON
tnued their violence and declared that the repub-
licans should hold no more public meetings in the
county. In spite Of these threats, however. the
republican executive committee announced that
meeting of republican voters and all those who
sympathiZed with them would be held at Edge
field Courthouse on Saturday, the Nth inst. Up
on this the Edgefeld Adyertiser-Wade Hamp'
hoI for tha
ment of all the democratic meetings which were
to be held in the county upon that day, and all
the rifle clubs were directed to assemble at the
Court house to attend the republican meeting. II
was under these circumstances and with full
knowledge of these facts that Robert Smals, the
brave colored Congressman, Col. Fillebrown, Mr..
Brayton and other republican speakers, with
few friends, left Columbia for Edgefied Gov.
Chamberlain desired to accompany them, but at
the earnest solicitation of friends and of few
democrats, who warned him that his lite would
be in danger, he did not go. The event proved
that this action on bis part prevented repetition
ofthe bloody massacres at Ellenton and Hamburg.
Soon after the train containing Smalls and his
friends came within the confines of Edgefeld,
'the county that has never been reconstructed"
it was met by party of 100 men horseback,
who were uniformed in red shirts and black SLOUGH
hats. AS the train passed this company 1t was
saluted by ''the rebel yel' and by the firing of
guns and pistols | must state that these were
discharged in the air, not at the train. When the
train stopped at the little stat on called Ridge
Spring, IA men, uniformed in the same way
those who had trst saluted the train, and armed
with at least two and in some cases three or four
heavy navy revolyers, came into the car where the
republican speakers were seated, and one of them
who appeared to be the leader cried out, "Where
| is that dirty little dog, Dan Chamberlain We
have come to shoot his bald head Off" Then the
whole party drew their pistols and passed down
the car until they came where Congressman
Smalls seated. Here they paused for mo-
ment, and one of them exclaimed, Hello; here's
that yellow pup, Smalls. YES, said another,
land if he knows what's good for half-blood
Niger he won't 90 to Edgefeld." Finding that
Gov Chamberlain was not in the car, they con-
tented themselves with cursing and abusing the
other republicans in the most approved fashion
of the southern chivary, and then, as they could
find no one foolhardy enough to answer them,
they left the train. Scenes like this le-
peated at every station until Pine House was
reached. Here the party was Unexpectedly met
by two companies of the I'd |. 5. infantry, who
were on their way to Edgeteld. Declining, for
obvious reasons, the company of the military,
} Smalls and his party proceeded IN wagons to the
Courthouse. liele they we've met by at least
1000 white men in red shirts, armed with rifles
and pistols, aud ali We'll mounted. They were in
command of Gen. Butler, and at the order from
him, Now, boys, give the radicals cheer
greeted the little band of republicans with oaths,
boots, jeers and yells of the most ofensivc-and,
to people with weak nerves, of the most terribly
course, int nded to keep the negroes from attend
ing the republican meeting, and for time it seem
ed as if it would be entirely successful, for the
: colored men and women stood in groups by them
selves on the side Of the street opposite the title
clubs They had no word Of welcome for their
friends, and leaders, they we've silent and afraid.
Suddenly, however. they saw the two companies
5 OF United States troops marching toward the bar
racks, with the dag of the Union at their head,
and then, almost as If by magic, they began to
dance and cheer and shout. have never seen so
sudden change in u crowd. 1t seemed for a time
as if the poor people would 90 wild with JOY.
They knew that no harm could come to them In
the presence of the troops, and their gladness
knew no bounds They acted Just about as they
do at a camp meeting. and among the shouts for
Hayes and Wheeler were m neled the cries Of
"We'll vote, now, honey" Our Jesus have
come !" "Uncle Sam boys am ola" How is you.
Mr.. Rifle Club" and 40 be sure, dsts fact, no
more niger KILN now" The rifle clubs were
almost equally excited They pretended to be
very glad TO see the troops, however, and then
quietly rode away at the word of command. The
soldiers went to their quarters, where they were
kept under arms during the dav, and the negroes,
secure in knowledge of their presence, proceed
ed to large open space just out Of the village
and prepared TO hold their meeting. At the same
time the rlne clubs and vast crowd of demo
Gratis gathered about the Courthouse and were adj
dressed by Gems. Butler and Gray, both Of whom
said that as Chamberlain was afraid to cone to
Edgefeld and as additional United States troops
tempt 10 "divide time" with the Radicals. But
ler's words were "Gentlemen the chief of the
Radical thieves-the man who may be Governor
of South Carolina, but who is not the ruler of
Edgefeld-is afraid TO come among US; he is not
here, and we do not care to interfere with such
interiors Smalls and Brayton. We will not at
tempt to divide time with them"
While these speeches were being made by the
democratic leaders, the republicans opened THEN
meeting. While it was in progress, Gen. Butler
rode up TO United States Marshal Low, who was
present, and said, "Aly men want to march around
your meeting, and give cheer, just to wake it up,
you know; | suppose you have no objection"
Col. Low replied, "our objection would be to no
| purpose, Sir You must act ON your own respon-
slbillty." AT this Butler rode away, and shortly
after the head of the ride club column could be
! seen coming down the bill from the town. The
men rode four abreast and were evidently well dis
clphned and drilled. Gen. Butler rode to a point
near the republican meeting and the men, pass
ing in review saluted their commander in the
military fashion Then they rode slowly around
and around the Republicans cheering for Tilden
and Hampton, and yelling at the top OF their voices.
In this way the meeting was broken up for near
ly an hour. 1t adjourned soon after, and on the
way to the town the Republican speakers