The New York herald., 1876-10-15
SOUTH CAROLINA.
Visit Of General Ruger to Governor
Chamberlain.
Military Protection to Voters BY Order Of
the President.
More Midnight Arrests and Expected
Martial Law

Tho campaign on tho republican side was TO have
been opened to-day At Edgeneld Court House, where
Governor Chamberlain to speak. corps OF rc-
publican orators left here yesterday afternoon and the
Governor was confidently expected TO follow, but much
TO the surprise Of everybody, last night At eleven
O'Clock, he Informed your correspondent that duties OF
an uncertain duration rendered IL impossible TO
say whether he could go until the hour the
train left. which four this morning What
the duties that occupied tho Governors atten-
ton at this hour of tho night mystery that had
its solution to-day IN tho arrival hero OF Brevct
Major General Ruger commanding the Department OF
the South, with headquarters at Atlanta Ga General
Rugcr arrived here on the train from Augusta al ten
O'Clock last night and drove to the Wheeler House.
where he registered. and assigned TO his quarters
He renamed there until about one this morning.
when he drove to Governor Chamborlains house.
When he rang tho bell ho was answered by servant
OF the Governor. who Informed him that His Excel.
lency had retired and could not be seen. The
General replied, II am General Rugcr OF
the United States Army, and must see the
Governor tonight" Upon which announcement .The
darkyn vanished, found the Governor sitting up and
at ushered in the distinguished visitor. The
General remained closeted with the Governor quite
length OF time, but what transpired between them Is
not known. Governor Chamberlain gives il out that
General Ruger said the President OF the United States
had informed him through Official channels that, he
hc Governor) was unable 10 afford protection to citi-
zcns the exercise OF their rights IL became his
General Rugcrs) duty TO sec that they were protected
and 10 do ali in his power TO prevent such outragcs as
had taken place in Barnwell and Aiken counties
INTERVIEW COLONEL HASKELL
am also informed that General Ruger had In
the Democratic Executive Committee, who was in
formed by HIM that he would that all democratic
negroes protected from any violence intimida
ti0n bv persons Of their color OTHERS on ac-
count OF their politics. II Is further stated 10 be Tho
desire OF General Rugcr TO see General Hampton,
with a view 10 assure him that tho military shall act
mpartiay in the protection OF all persons cx-
ercise Of their political rights The General Is still
here and will remain until Tuesday next and as Gen
eral Hampton will visit this city to morrow /. is not
improbable that they win have an interview.
MIDNIGHT
The OF in Aiken, Barnwell and Edgc.
field counties continue, soldiers accompanying the
marshlls their mi dnight raids The District Attor-
ousrages negroes Tor which he IS reported to be
paying 81 so per affidavit to negroes, and he is
mulatug an immense number OF them ! have
OF them and they bear the earmarks Of the Same
sort OF literature that anufactured In Sumner
county albany by the notorious detectives and
service agents OF the Department OF Justice Hester
and Beach, In 1872
General Rugers visit and midnight conference with
the Governor leads 10 tho Apprehension that martial
law will be declared, but no doubt remains that
negroes TO be kept in organized antagonism 10 tho
whites by the presence or the troops
MEETING AT EDGEFIELD.
II having been publicly announced that Governor
Chamberlain and other prominent republicans would
speak at Edgeheld to-day, about 600 whites 500
negroes assembled At that place Fuly 800 Of the
whites were mounted, and, singular to say like the
Indiana republicans wore red shirts. The object OF
their presence was to obtain division OF timo and
In order reply 10 Governor Chamberlain. whom they
claim 20 have wiifuliy misrcpresented them to the
country IN his recent proclamation and addresses. In
consequence OF the arrival OF General Ruger yesterday
evening, Governor Chamberlain at the last moment
declined keep his appointment and remained here.
Il had bcen already determined not to allow the whites
speak this OCCASION and extraordinary
had taken to nas
J. G. Lowe, together with six assistant
deputies, all duly supplied with blank am
davts and warrants werc ordered TO mpany the
speakers TO arrest the first person who should
any manner Interfere with or question tho regular
republican speakers General Ruger had also ordered
two additional. companies 10 Edgefeld Court House,
and these reached tho scene OF the speaking At
early hour. The speakers wore Secretary Of State
Hnyne. colored; Congressman Smas, colored; J. Il.
Febrown, Comptrocr's clerk. white; 4. N. Brayton,
member oil the House of Representatives whito
lowed closely by the two companies Of Infantry.
whose entrance into town was madc the
sion OF most singular demonstration. Tho red
shrted democrats met them the outskirts
OF the village, and surrounding them in large numDors
escorted them to their quarters with prolonged cheers
and waving OF hats: the soldiers marching quietly
In their midst smiling and betrayng in many
ways their sense Of the awkwardnoss OF their
novel and unpleaasnt position Whom tho speak
standing the trap which had been quietly set
give their proposed movement tho appearance
OF intimidation, advised their followers TO keep
clear OF the republican meeting, ana this
Quoted by the speakers already mentioned at the dis
tance Of half mile from town, In she presence OF
about 500 negroes--men, wsmen and children At It's
inclusion the whites formed In columns of fours and
rodo by the spot cheering continuously, tho negroes
replying No other demonstration was made,
and the day ended without q single disturb.
ancc OF any kind. Tho whites were greatly In
against Chamberlain for his
Of their conduct n previous occasion. Tho attempt
make capital out OF the affair . signal failure;
but IL Is doubtful whether the ION would have
passed of SO pcaccaby had Governor Chamberlain
been present and division OF time dlsallowed The
four companies OF United States infantry were kept
under and ready to move at the first call OF the
Commissioners, but happily thcre was no nccd for