Spirit of the age. [volume] (Woodstock, Vt.) 1845-1913, 1876-10-25
South Carolina Politics.
Republicans as lntlm-
idators---Threats A
gainst Black Demo
Gratis and Indepen'
dents. ouo

To the Editor Of the Neao lorh Her.
aM..
l enclose copies of two afHdavits
to day to show how the Republicans
manage to keep solid black vote In
this State. Others will be taken
shortly, here and elsewhere, proving
how negro men have been beaten and
that reign Of terrors exists. Even
negro women appear around the polls
and denounce any negro who desires
to vote other than the straight party
nominations. asked my own SER
want a sholt time since, if convinced
that it would be better for all classes
to elect Hampton, would he dare vote
for him His reply was that he
would have no peace if he did, tor the
rule was for every black man to vote
with his party Threats to use the
torch are not uncommon, and num-
Der of incendiary fires have occurred,
The grist mill and gin OF the Dem
ocratic candidate for Sheriff were de.
stroyed by fire Il few weeks ago.
There are four roads leading from his
house to his saw mill and to his grist
mill. Fearing assassination, he re-
NAMED at home (when informed OF
the fre) until after daylight. Hearing
noise near the house one OF his
friends fired gun; some one ran OF
on going to the mill after daylight it
was found that each Of the four roads
had been picketed He feels convinc'
ed that it was Il premedltated and
we'll laid plan on the part of his pollt
ical enemies to waylay and kill him
Chamberlain's passionate prcclama
ton and Corbin's letter show how the
game of politics is played in this
State. The rifle and sabre clubs which
have been ordered so peremptorly te
disband have been formed for two OBJ
ieets-frst, as an offset to the negro
National Guard and as a means OF de
tense on the part Of the whites and
second, for social purposes.
A significant sign of the times ii
the fact stated by General Hagood ii
his report to Judge Wiggjn, thai
within eighteen hours of the reception
of the intelligence of the concentra
ton of an armed body of negroes nea
Ellenton, in this sparsely settled coun
try, in which there are less than ten
whites to the square mile, 475 mer
!. reported to him for duty. This show
that the whites feel the necessity o
being prepared for an emergency
Why Is it 1t is because the millti
Of the State is composed excusivel.
:, Of neg: oes, and otficered by the mos
active and rabid politicians. Bearln!
in mind that these militia men are ig
norant and easily excited, it can b
readily understood that the white
:, feel the necessity ofhave some protee
ton for life and property, and stan(
q ready to respond to Il call at me
:, ments notice. The Adjutant Genel
al of the State accounts for over 100
improved arms which have been dis
> tributed to this militia and larg
quantity of ammunition. AS a ger
eral rule it is not the more orderly an
.:lustrious class of the negroes whic
compose the National Guard, but tn
!, idle and the vicious, and they are
standing menace to the peace OF tn
community. The laxity in the admin
:, istration of justice Is such that lttl
. confidence is placed in the punishment
of criminals by law, especially it the
are also active partisans Of the dom
uanl party. AS the writer once hear
o q negro express his idea, "What's d
use to (be) long to de party if he ain
- gwine to (pro) 'tect you ?" No on
has been more outspoken than Gov
:, ernor Chamberlain himself as to tn
:, corruption which exists in every d'
partment of the government vf th
- State, consequently the whites fe
much safer when these clubs are o
- ganized.
) 1t is considered by the negroes
e high crime and misdemeanor for
u black man to vote any other than
straight Republican ticket, and tho'
Is who have attempted TO affiliate vii
Il the whites have been driven back
" the party lash. Heretofore if Il
!" whites have attempted to protect Il
II. negro in voting for Democrat the
ID was hue and cry raised that he W
IT, rebel. But in this campaign stal
'u is being taken which will eucoural
many black man to vote for Ham