The New York herald., 1876-12-05
THE COUNYRYS PERIL.
Withdrawal Of the South Carolina
Democrats from the House.
REPUBLICAN, MEMBERS ACCOMPANYING THEN.
More Contested Questions Settled
by Federal Troops.
THE COUNT FOR GOVERNOR POSTPONED
The Element Of Uncertainty
Gradually Decreasing.
TlLDEN COUNTED OUT IN LOUISIANA.
A Clean Sweep of the Demo-
cratic Majorities.
ARGUMENT BEFORE THE FLORIDA BOARD.
Views OF Northern Visitors and Eminent
Citizens on the Situation.
The Element Of Uncertainty
Gradually Decreasing.
TlLDEN COUNTED OUT IN LOUISIANA.
A Clean Sweep of the Demo-
cratic Majorities.
ARGUMENT BEFORE THE FLORIDA BOARD.
Views OF Northern Visitors and Eminent
Citizens on the Situation.
SOUTH CAROLINA.

SOUTH CAROLINA.
wrTHpEAwAL OF THE DEMOCRATIC HOUSE YnoM
THE HALL-A coNsTABULARY FORCE BACKED
BIZ UNITED STATES TnooPs-DLooDsHED
AGAIN AvoIDED-THE ADDRESS OF SPEAKER
wALLACE-rHE SENATE AGAIN ADJoURNs
WITHOUT COUNTING THE VOTE FOR COVER
NOR.
[BY TELEGRAPH TO THE HERALD.
COLUMBIA. Dec =, 1876.
The action Of the democratic House took their
people much by surprise to-day II did tnc rcpub
leans when they took possession OF the hail Of tho
House OF Representatives last Thursday No one sup
posed for moment that they would quietly withdraw
unon the nlmation OF Speaker Mickey that tho
Edgedcd and Laurens delegations were to DO iorcbiy
sicctcd by the special constabulary in per-
orm that duty. Mackey backed up his intimaton TO
Wallace, the democratic Speaker. with the assertion
that the constabuary would be supported by tho
United States troops Those grave and
very great reasons why Speaker Wallace should have
readily adjourned his House to another hall In the
city; but evcn this some OF the democrats claim,
should not have caused them weaken quick
They contend that they should have resisted until the
rmy Of the United States in and iorciby elected
hcm, and then appeal to the country tho strength
prthc outrage On tho other hand it Is argued that
Speaker Wallace pursued the proper in carrying
Dut 10 tho letter tho persistent peace policy OF Hamp
pn, and In this achieved victory greater than could
possibly be accomplished by risking conflict with the
sonssabuary and PROBABLY tho troops of the Unitod
Etatcs.
INFLUENCED THE DEMOCRATS.
While the latter view generally obtains, there
Sther influences which served deteraine the
Df the democrats They had the best that
lhcy were right; that the law their side; that
public opinion In their favor; that they had
constitutional majority in tho House Of Representa-
lives and the courts also with them, and these
considered too precious to bo endangered by any
resistance which might prccpitate disturbance and
sausc bloodshed In addition to all this they in
receipt of q telegram from Hewitt, chairman OF tho
National Democratic Executive Committee, informing
them that President Grant would recognize neither
house unless had a constitutional quorum, having
the certificates Board of State Canvassers which
was tantamount assurance that the Mackcy
house never would be recognized.
On the whole their action meets with general ap-
proval here, and must wiring from their enemies the
acknowledgement that they determined to mako
any sacrifice in the interest of peace.
A GAME OF BLuPFf
II s said this evening that General Rugcr denies
hat the constabuary would have been supported by
democratic members holding their seats on the
icatcs of election granted them tho OF
the Supreme Court and the republicans say that
Mackey simply bufied Wallace II it was a game OF
bluff Mackey held strong hand, and 1t was well played
MANAGED.
Tho tactics Of the republicans developed last
night Every person who presented himsel! at the
door OF the House asked the soldier
door II he member before he was let into the
building At ALL Tho question propounded at
the door OF the hall OF the House Of Representa-
tves by Mackcy's doorkcepcrs. Thus. between
tho military and Mackey's officials working in
conjunction no whites but actual members
were found in tho State House this morning.
All this time the special constabies. wearing
the badges furnished them, being passed in by
and twos When one Of these presented himself
TO the soldier the House he promptly
admitted, and this morning several of the committee
rooms were packed fuli OF the concealed constbles
During the morning IL was impossible for any white
men, even for members Of the pres, to gain admission
the hall OF the House, that communication with
he democrats without aud those within, except
through Mackey's officials, completely cut on.
THE PREPARATIONS
When the hour Of twelve approached q convenient
auxiliary TO the special consablcs was officer or
she United States Army, also secreted ia q close
tho hall OF the House, ready TO call up the troops in
case OF emergency. There were about 100 special
consabes, mostly negroes, the United States forces
and the republican House tho one side and tho
sixty. six democrats on the other in the building On
the outside however IN town, but the State
House, were probably Zoo men, who made thor
appearance this morning, to be hand
In OF emergency. When II con
Mdcrcd that these all trained
and experts tho OF will be seen that
democrats wero not SO weak, and It is u conclusive
proof that their withdrawal to-day was dictated
by any other motives than those OF peace. This
The situation at twelve O'Clock NJ az which hour both
souses adjourned and we're Immediately called to
prdcE Mr.. James |. Orr, democrat, tncn moved that
ME democratic or constitutional house adjourn.
Mr. Gray, democrat. rose to protest against such
ueasure, but Speaker Wallace interrupted and the
question was not debated. and Mr. Gray Was informed
that he could dlc hrs protest In writing
SPEAKER wALLAcR's REMARxs
speaker Wallace then said -
have just been officially Informed that there are
now reauncss upward oil 100 armed who
about the nall for tho purpose eectng
lain members from tins floor. The members 10 whom
n IA intended thus orce shall be applied have pocu
recognized by this House members, ana We dispute
the night or authority OF tho Statc government to
eject this noor any member OF this House upon
Tie ground he is not legal member ot the House
oI Representatives oil State OF South Carolina We
insist that this House IS the only competent authority
TO pass upon the qualifications ami election returns
OF own members. The Torso TO which
l have alluded acting directly undcr
The authority Oi Chamberlain anu under his
evmmtssi ION The Char gwen distinctly 10 under
stand tas that force resisted by the members Of
hs House that the mnitary orcc oI the United states
viii bc invoked TO It's assistance; that that assistance
g be rendered not Tor tho purpose OF uprootng any
,thcr body claiming To be the House OF Representa-
force is under the Governor, and that the action or
the n,.Ifsy D, IN snp.or, o. ilr VNcsuiNe