The New York herald., 1876-08-02
MURDERS FOR OPINIONS SAKE.
Evidences of the Lawless Condition in
Mississippi and Louisiana
LETTER TO GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN.
Cruel. Bloody, WantOn, UnprovOked and
uncalled for Acts.
SOUTHERN LOCAL AUTHORITIES ON TRIAL.

WASHINGTON, August !, 1870
The following message received by the Senate
from the President to-day
To THE SENATE THE UNITED SrArEs:-
In response to resolution of tho Senate Of July 90
1876 calling upon the President to tho
Senate, II in his opinion not incompatible with the
public interest, any information IN regard to the
slaughter OF American citizens at Hamburg, s. c.,
have the honor submit the following enclosures
wit
No. l. Letter OF the 22d OF July. 1876 from Governor
d. II. Chamberlain OF South Carolina, to me-
No. 2. My reply thereto.
No B. Report of Hon. William Stone, Attorney Gen.
eral of South Carolina
No. 4. Report of General H. W. Purvis Adjutant
and Inspector General OF South Carolina
No s. Copy OF evidence taken before q coroner's
jury investigating facts relating to tho Hamburg mas
sacrc.
No 6. Printed copy Of statement by NJ c. Butler, of
South Carolina
No Printed letter from to the editors Of the
Journal Of Commerce, New York.
No s. Copy OF letter from Governor Chamberlain
to the Hon. 7. J. Robertson.
No Q. An address to tho American people by the
colored citizens of Charleston, s. c.
No. 10 An address by committee appointed at
convention of the leading representatives OF Columbia
S. c.
No. H. Copy of the letter OF July 49, 1875 from the
District Attorney Of Mississippi to the Attorney Gen.
eral of the United States.
No. II. Letter from samo to same
No Is Copy OF the report Of grand jury lately in
session In Oxford Miss
These enclosures embrace oil tho Information in my
possession touching the late disgracefl and brutal
slaughter Of unoGendng men Mt the town of Hamburg,
s. c. Ny letter to Governor Chamberlain contains all
tho comments wish to make on the subject. As au-
sion is made in tho letter to the condition OF other
States, and particularly to Louisiana and Mississippi
have added to the enclosures letters and testimony
in regard to tho lawlcss condition OF portion OF the
people of the latter State.
In regard to Louisiana affairs, murders and massa-
OF innocent men for opinions sake
color been Of too recent date and of too fire.
qucnt require recaptulaion testimony
here All familiar with their horrible Details the
only wonder being that many justify or apologize
for them.
But recently committee Of the Senate of the United
States visited the State OF Mississippi take testimony
on the subject of frauds ana violence in elections
Their report has not yet been made public, but await
It's forthcoming with feeling Of confidence that IL
will fully sustain all that have stated In relation to
fraud and violence in the State of Mississippi
U. $. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION July 81 1874
PRESIDENT GRANT GOVERNOR CHAMBERLAIN
Tho following the Presidents letter to Governor
Chamberlain referred TO above:-
ExEcUrrvK MANSION
WASHINGTON, ID. c.. July 20, 1916
DEAR SIR In receipt of your letter of the 22d of
July and all the Enclosures enumerated therein giving
OF tho latc barbarous OF innocent
men n the town of Hamburg, S. G.
The views which you express to the duty you owe
TO your oath Of Office and to citizens to secure to all
their civil rights including the right to vote according
TO tho dictates Of their own consciences, and tho
further duty OF tho Executive Of the nation 10 give
all necdful aid when properly called on
to do So to enable you to insure this
inalicnable right, fully in The sceno at Ham.
burg, cruel, bloodthrsy. wanton, unprovoked and
uncaed for was is only repetition of the course
which has been pursued In other Southern States
within tho last few years, notably in Mississippi and
Louisiana Mississippi is governed to-day by officials
chosen through fraud and violence, such as would
scarcely be accredited to savages much less to civil
lied and Christian people, How long these things
TO continue what Is to be the final remedy tho
Great Ruler OF tho universe only knows; but
have abiding faith that tho remedy
will como and como, speedily, and I earnestly
hope that It will como peacefully. Thcro has
been desire on the part OF tho North to humiiato
tho South. Nothing is claimed for State that
Is not freely accorded to all Others un-
less Il may be tho right to kill negroes
and republicans without fcir Of punish
ment and without loss OF caste reputation This
has seemed TO be privilege claimed by few states
repeat again that iully agree with you as TO tho
measure Of your duties in the present emergency,
and to my duties. Go on, and let
peace OF his State 60 tho discharge
Of his duties to the humbcst well the proudest
citizen. and will givo evcry aid for which
can nnd law or constitutional power.
government that cannot give protection TO life,
property ard all guaranteed civil rights
In this country the greatest untrammcled ballot
to the citizen s IN SO far failure, and every energy
of the oppressed should bo czcried, always
within the law and by constitutional means.
to regain lost privileges md protection. Too
long denial Of guaranteed rights lead rcvol
ution; bloody revolution, where suffering must fall
upon the innocent as well as the guilty.
Expressing tho hopc that tho better judgment
and cooperation OF citizens .of the State over
which you have presided so ably may enable you TO
secure a fair trial and punishment OF all offenders.
without distinction OF color previous condi.
ton OF scrvltudc, and without aid from the federal
government, but with tho promise OF such aid the
conditions named in the foregoing.
subscribe myself very respectfully your obcdcnt
servant, L. s. GRANT
To Hon. d. ~ CHAMBERLAIN, Governor OF South Caro-.
lima
THE CORONER'S INQUEST.
GENERAL BUTLER AND OTHERS cnAnGED WITH
MURDER-INrENDED SURRENDER OF THE
SOUTH ciRoLrNrANs TO THE AUTHoRITrEs--
nEQUIsrrroS TO DE MADE ron THE INcuI~
PATED GRoEGrANs.
CoIrnwA, $. C., August l, 1870
The Coroner's inquest over tho victims at Hamburg