The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1876-11-06
ChamberIain's SANDERS Re-
futed.
A Manly Letter from Wade
Hampton.
No IntimidatiCr mo Domes-
tic Violence.
From Fridays New York Tribune.

OF the leIler vi uONcFuOE Sudm Utrlhi1
have prevented me from making an
earlier reply to your courteous dispatch
Even now cannot enter into any long
argument, but must content myself with
brief review of Governor Cham hrrlsin's
letter. Ny opinions are based upon an
intimate knowledge of the people oi
this State and upon personal observation
msde in every county in the State dur
ing the present canvass.
First: l deny that when Gov. Cham
berlain issued his proclamation and
called upon the President for aid there
was or had been either domestic violence
or Insurrection in this State. The testi
mony of the judges and other civil Off
GERS of the State in the several circuits
and counties, and particularly In the
counties in which such violence is al
legged to exist agree upon this point; and
Gov. Chamberlain has failed TO give n
single instance where any Democrat has
resisted arrest. There surely cannot be
either insurrectlon or domestic violence
where the courts are uninterrupted and
ustice is unimpeded.
Second: l deny tha. any sheriff or
constable could not have arrested or
dispersed at any time any body st or.
ganized Democrats in this State. The
white citizens of South Carolina have n
traditional reverence for the law and its
officers whlJh survives even the corrup
tion and inefficiency Of its agents. In
proof OF this cite the fact that Iorty
or more citizens accused of being impli-
Gated in the Hamburg riot surrendered
to the Sheriff Of the county when no
troops were within reach. This fact
should have been sufficient 10 satisfy
Gov. Chamberlsin-had he desired 10 be
satisfed-that his officers, under proper
directions, could, without risk TO them
selves, have accomp ished the very pur-
pose sought to be gained by gsrrisoning
the State with troops. But had he made
the endesvor, Its success would have vim
dicated the character Of the white citi-
zens, and lett HIM no pretert or excuse
for raising the cry OF violence and in
surrection.
Third: 1 deny that it was impractca-
BILE to convene the Legislature to make
application TO the United States Govern
ment for protection against domestic
violence; and unless il could not be so
convened the Governor bad no authority
to ask nor the President to grant the
protection granted. Within week or
ten days the Legislature could have ss
sembled. Gov. Chamberlain, however,
argues that if case had arisen which
would warrant the Legislature
in calling tor protection, the
Legislature could not be convened IN
time TO secure protection before such
domestic violence had accomplished its
purpose. This construction would make
the very fact which ju'tIiies the LegisIa-
ture in calling for protection a sufficient
reason for dispensing with any action on
the part of the Legislature. The want
of funds in the treasury is not sufficient
reason for dispensing with the constitu.
tional requirement that the Legislature
should be convened. The members are
paid an annual salary, and not by the
day or session, and my expenses Incl
dent to an extra session conld have been
provided for by the body itself.
Fourth: deny that the few rifle clubs
in this State which were fully armed
"were formed and have been constantly
used a. the chief basis of organiza-
ton of the Democratic party" These
clubs were formed long before the pres
ent canvass began. Some Of them date
back 10 the war of the Revolution. Near
ly all of them have at some time been
sanctioned by the acts or words OF Gov.
Chamberlain. They were in no sense
political organizations or used for pollt-
cal purposes. The rest Of the sO-called
rife clubs have no weapons as such.
They are neither more nor le's
than campaign clubs, moving
and acting together Tor reasons such as
prompted the organization of the Boys
in Blue, the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie. or other kindred associations. Dur
ing my canvass of the State l have not
seen q single gun OF sabre in the posses
sion OF these clubs, and they have not
carried such at any meeting a. which /
have been present. On the other hand,
the colored militia, with loaded rifles and
fully officered, do constantly attend pub.
lie meetings 10 this State ~ the danger
and annoyance Of peaceful citizens.
Fifth: | deny most ernphstically that
the rife clubs have killed many Mem
bers Of the Republican party, have
v whlpped and outraged hundreds, ana 10
dlviduslly threatened thou.nnd'. i chsl-
lenye Gov. ChamberisIn 10 the proof Of
this charge, which | know 20 be foul
SANDER upon people whore RINK ofsnse
is that they are no longer willing to be
plundered and oppressed by Gov. Cham
berlain's party. But / CAL attention 70
the TACT that at Combahee for days and
weeks armed bands Of negrOes whipped
and beat other negroes, resisted arrest, de-
fed the law, and rescued those who had
been arrested, and that not one Of these
law breakers has been brought 70 justice.
During these disturbances, though sp-
pealed 10 by the sheriff for aid 70 enforce
the Law, the governor never visited the
scene 20 ascertain the facts or lend hIs
ard TO the preservation OF peice Gov.
Chamberlain mas tailed % give 8 single
instance where Republican has suffered
ocrst The existence OF such ouirsges
rests upyn his: ::unsuppOrted assertion;
while tne papers OF the state are dIled
with in.tsLces, name, date and place
lu!lg given, where Democratic negroes
have been threatened, beaten and
wJunded by Republicans Yet no srrsss
were made, nor have troops been ssnt
for their protection. As far a. he can,
the Executive teaches that the coiored
Democrat has no rights that the authori-
tI.s are bound 70 respect.
Sicth: / deny that the asscmoiing oi
the armed white citizens a. Eileton was
in pursuance OF 8 we'll nstured plan.
The sssemblsge was simply the gather
ing Of citizens to protect and defend their
neighbors, VINO were in imminent danger
from the armed negroes who had already
fred upon the constable and the posse
bearing 4 warrant for the arrest OF
fugitive from justice Az soon as body
Of United States troops arrived and