New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-03
GEN. HAMPTON'S LETTER.
Editor Of The Tribune.

| cannot enter into any long argument, but must
content myself with brief review of Gov. Cham
berlains letter. My opinions are based upon an in
innate knowledge of the people of this State and
upon personal observation made in every county in
the State during the present canvass.
First: deny that when Gov. Chamberlain issued
his proclamation and called upon the President for
aid there was had been either domestic violence or
instruction in this State. The testimony of the
Judges and other civil officers of the State in the
several circuits and counties and particularly in the
counties in which such violence is alleged to exist,
agree upon this point; and Gov. Chamberlain has
failed 10 give single instance where any Democrat
has resisted arrest. There surely cannot be either
instruction or domestic violence where the courts
are uninterrupted and justice is unimpcdcd.
Second deny that any sheriff or constable could
not have arrested dispersed at any time any body
of organized Democrats in this State. The white
citizens of South Carolina have traditional Ieyer
ence for the law and its officers which survives even
the corruption and incflciency of il, agents In
proof OF this cite the fact that the forty or more
citizens accused Of being implicated in the Hamburg
riot surrendered to the sheriff of the county when
no troops within reach. This fact should have
been sufficient t. satisfy Gov. Chamberlain-had he
desired to be satisfcd-ha his officers, under proper
directions, could. without risk 10 Themselves, have
accomplished the very purpose sought to he gained
by garrisoning the State with troops But had he
made the cndcayor, its success would have vind-
Gated the character Of the white citizens, and left
him no prccxt or excuse for raising the cry of yio
lcnce and Instruction.
Third: deny that it was impractcablc to con-
vcnc the Legislature TO make application to the
United States Government for protection against
domestic violence: and unless 1t could not be so
A. u t..I f1,,rt 10 IN, .gl rtpr
the President to grant the protection granted.
Within week or ten days the Legis-
lature could have assembled. Gov. Cham
bcrlain. however, argues that if case had
arisen which woud warrant the Legislature III
calling for protection the Legislature could not be
convened in time to secure protection before such
domestic violence had accomplished its purpose.
THIS construction would make he very Tact which
jusiitics the legislature in calling for protection
sufficient reason for dispensing with any action on
the part Of the Legislature. The want of funds IN
the treasury not sufficient reason for dispensing
with the constitutional requirement that the Legs
laturr should he convened. The members are PAID
an annual aary. and not by the day or session, and
any expense, incident 10 an extra session could nave
been provided for 10y the BODY itself.
Fourth: ! deny that the few rifle clubs IN TINS
State which were fully armed "wcrc formed and
ganizatlon Of tho Democratic party These clubs
were formed long before the present canvass began
Some Of them date back to the war of the Reyoln-
ton. Nearly all of them have at some time been
sanctioned by the acts or words of Gov Chamber
lain They were m no sense political organizations
or used for political purposes. Tie rest % the So
called rifle clubs have no weapons rs such. Ihey
are neither Aor less than campaign clubs moving
and acting together for reasons such as prompted
the organization Of the Boys III Blue the Nrahd
Army of tie Republic, other kindred associations
Daring my canvass of the state nave not
seen a single gun or sabcr III the posS'S-
sion of these clubs, and they have not
carried such al any meeting az which have been
present On the other hand the colorcd miiitla'
with loaded rifles and fully differed, do constantly
attend public meetings in this state to TIE danger
and annoyance of peaceful citizens.
IIdh: ] deny most cmphalically that the rlhc
clubs have killed many members of the Republican
party, have whipped and outraged hundrtUS' anu
individually threatened thousands. ! challenge
Gov Chamberlain to tho proof of tins charge when
/ know to be a foul SANDER upon people whose
rank ofnsc is that they are no longer willing to be
plundcrcd and oppressed by Gov. Chanbcrlahs
party But call attention to the fact that at COM
bahec for DAYS and weeks AIMED bands ol negroes
whipped and beat other negroes rcsiFtd arrest
dctiod the law, and rescued those VINO ia" p'c"
arrested, and that not one OF these ia"-ur'"M''S Has
been brought to justice. During THESE ni''u p''''
though appealed to by the Sheriff for ana 10 ehio'''
the law the Governor never visited the scene 10 as
certain the facts or lend his aid to the preservation
of peace GOV Chamberlain has failed to gave
single instance where Republican has snier'u ~
the intimidation or violence OF Democrat i"'
existence of such outrages rests upon ms "hHuP
ported assertion; while the papers oil the o'"'c "t'
filled with instances name, date, and place, iuily
gwen, where Democratic negroes nave oeeh .r''"'
encd beaten. and wounded by Republicans. let no
arrests were made. nor have troops been sent ioi
their protection. As far a. he can, the EAecuti,'
teaches that the colored Democrat has no r'Rn'S
that the authorities are bound to respect
Sirh: deny that the assembling oil the a'hlo"
white citzens at EIlenton was III pursuance y,
well maturcd plan. The assemblaPe was s''"r'S ','
gathering of citizens 10 protect IN" "'i'n" ~
neighbors, who were in imminent danger lio'" '"'
armed negroes who had already hred upon 'i' '''-
stable and the posse bearing warrant ioi 'e "i'''
of n fugitive from justice. As soon ~ oo"S VI
United States troops arrived ana uhueI 10 "i'
perse the riotous blacks aud to protect '"o i'S'uo'
whites the citizens who had gone 10 tue soen' VI 'io
outrage gladly returned to their homes
Scrcnh: | deny that there is anything incoisiS-
tent or contradictory in the present attitude OF the
Democrats in this State toward Gov Chamberlain
Until his election his conduct and associates gave
him no claim to our confidence or trust AZ sooh hs
he placed himself in opposition to the corruP' mem
beers Of bis party, and as long as he was e"s"seu !"
the work of political reform, we gave nm o"i sup
port. But the constitution OF tle h'pu'i
can party was in nowise changed. The Old
leaders were as strong in the second year
of his administration as in the first, and signailed