The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-23
How Edgcneld Won Her Victory.
EDGErIELD G, H., Nov. II, 1876.
Editors Columbia Rcgister

EDeEr1ELD G, H., Nov. II, 1876.
Editors Colunbia Register:
We have gained such glorious victory
in old Edge'ield, have so nobly, under
the leadership of our gallant and fearless
county chairman, General Gary, re-
deemed our county, that must give you
an account of it and the causes that lead
to the same. In the first place, Edge
field, from time immemorial, has been
Democratic in her principles, imbued
and taught her sons by McDufie, Senator
Butler, Hammond, Preston Brooks and
other leading statesmen.
Second. Edgcfield has never cast her
full vote since the war, on account of the
dissentions that have been made in the
party by compromises with the Republi-
can party.
Third. That a roster of the voters pre-
pared during the campaign shows whites
4,73S; colored 5,177-total 9,9l5. Now
from this deduct the total number cast,
9,2S9, and it will be seen that 627 voters
did not exercise the right of suffrage.
Fourth. That Edgefeld County has,
by the census of 1870, white voters 1864;
blacks 5,240; aggregate 1904; and that
the vote of this year is 9,2S9. The diff
ference in these votes has been broug mt
about by the number of youths who
have arrived at the age of twenty-one
years and the great influx of cnigrants
that have poured into our county since
1870, and the additional fact that the
Radical negroes repeated their votes on
Tuesday last some twice, others as many
as four times. This can be proven, as
many of them were detected in the act
by responsible white gentlemen.
Fifth. That the former leader of the
Radical party here, McDevitt, our quon-
dam Treasurer, had absconded, was
caught, and was in Jail up to within three
or four days of the election, and that l..
Cain, who had aspired to the leadership
of the Radicals, tried to run the same
schedule" of repeating that McDevitt
had so openly practiced, aud which
would have succeeded had he not been
foiled by General Gary, i'll his usual mas
terly, victorious manner. Another power
full help to our cause was John A. Barker,
leading Radical and member of the
Legislature, who, although he voted for
Hayes and Wheeler, came out boldlya and
espoused the cause of Hampton and re-
form, and stumped our county in the in
terest of Gary and the other gallant gem
tlemen who we're on the Democratic
ticket, and no doubt carried as many as
400 negro voters with him. H. Strom,
ex-County Commissioner, and leading
Radical, also voted with us, and did
ycoman service in canvassing the county
for good government under Hampton
and Democracy. f. A. Bellanger, County
Auditor; Louis Simmons, ex-member of
the Legislature; Willis Merriwether, one
of Ned Tenants lieutenants during the
"riot" some years ago; Ambrose Cart
ledge, ex-County Commissioner, who
was put in Jail at this place for intimi-
dation, together with four other negroes
of his company, who were pardoned by
Governor Chamberlain, through l.. Gains
influence, with he understanding that
the Edgeiield Radical delegation were to
vote for him (Chamberlain) for renomi-
nation for Governor; Mabin Griffin, Geo.
Nix, and learn that Dave Graham, at
present member of the Legislature,
also voted the Democratic ticket.
But, to show the feeling that peryades
the minds of our enemies, assure you
that Paris Simkins, Gus Simkins, Bill
Ramey and other prominent Radicals are
so thoroughly convinced of the fairness
of the election, that they utterly refuse to
Join Cain, Boney and other ultra Radi-
Gals in their protest to the State Board of
Canvasscrs.
Another reason why Edgefield went SO
strongly Democratic was the disgusted
feeling that was stamped upon the minds
of the colored people by the action of
the County Nominating Convention,
which was in session three days and
nights, and which, owing to the mali
cious influence of L. Cain, Jesse Jones
and H. N. Boney, failed to make the
complete nominations because there
were at least twenty-five candidates for
the Legislature and an equal number for
the county otiicers-Judge of Probate,
Sheriff, &c.-and, at last, it had to be re-
ferred to the Radical Executive Commit
tee, who, under the direction of Cain,
placed in nomination the worst ticket
than we have had yet. For instance, in
the place of j. A. Barker, they put upon
their ticket for the Legislature E. B.
Harris, County Commissioner and a
brother of Carey Harris, the negro who
is now in Jail under commitment for
having perpetrated a rape upon re-
spectacle white woman of our county.
As final and convincing cause of our
success, must say that all the honor,
all the high honor, belongs to our chiual-
rous, brave and indsfatiga6le County Chair
man, Nj. w. Gary. He was the right
man in the right place. Day and night
he toied and worked, and to his great
and comprehensive administrative ability
we are indebted for ell the success and
victory that is ours; for through his in
huencc the men of Edgefeld carried out
his plans and perfected the glorious
work. His conduct in the campaign
has won him prestige that should never
be obliteratcd in the future. He gave
up everything to the noble cause. He
devoted his heart, his purse, his time
and talents to the redemption Of Edge
field and South Carolina, and in the
sacrifice he has won for himself the graft
tude of every true patriot in the State.
JUNIUs.