The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-08-03
ally visited Hamburg, thus concludes his

ally visited Hamburg thus concludes his
official report to me:
Making due allowance for errors in
minor details, the facts show the demand
on the militia TO give up their arms was
made by persons without lawful author
ity to enforce such demand or to receive
the arms had they been surrendered !;
that the attack on the militia to compel
a compliance with this demand was
without justification or excuse, and after
there had been some twenty or twenty
five prisoners captured, and completely
in the power of their captors, and with
out means of making further resistance,
FIVE of them were deliberately shot to
death and three more severely wounded.
Such was the affair at Hamburg. If you
can find words to characterize its atrocity
and barbarism, the triviality Of its causes,
the murderous and inhuman spirit which
marked it in all its stages, your power OF
language exceeds mine 1t presents a
darker picture of human cruelty than
the slaughter Of Custer and his soldiers.
for they were shot in open battle. The
victims of Hamburg were murdered in
cold blood after they had surrendered
and were utterly defenseless. No occa-
sion existed for causing the presence of
single armed citizen at Hamburg on
the day of the massacre. No violence
was offered or threatened to any one. 1t
is, indeed, said as usual, that "niggers
were impudent," but the evidence shows
that all the actual physical aggression
was on the part of the whites that they
made demand which they had no right
to make, and when that demand was re-
fused, as it should have been, they pro.
ceeded to enforce it by arms and crowned
their success in enforcing their demands
by brutal murders. Shame and disgust
must fill the breast of every man who
respects his race or human nature as he
reads the tale. To me, in my official ca
pacity-wherein, as you will testify, |
have done my utmost, at no little risk OF
my personal and political detraction from
my political friends, to remove abuses
and restore good government and har-
mony to our people-the occurrence OF
such an appalling example of human
passion and depravity comes as a deep
modification and discouragement. What
hope can we have when such a cruel and
bloodthirsty spirit waits in our midst for
its hour of qualification Is our civiliza-
ton so shallow? Is our race so wantonly
cruel2 Such acts call for condemnation
and punishment. For a condemnation
as bloody blot on the record of your
race and mine, as a cruel affront to a
race whose long suffering patient for.
bearance, challenges the admiration and
gratitude of the world; as a shameful
dishonor to the name of South Carolina
For punishment as a violation of the
laws of the State. and wanton blow at
the peace and happiness of our State.
am glad to testify to the horror which
this event has excited among many here
who have not been won't to heartily con.
denim many Of the past bloody occur
rences at the South. Nothing, however
short of condign and ample punishment
can discharge the obligation of society
and our State toward the authors of this
causeless and cruel massacre.
Very respectfully,
Your obedient servant,
D. II. CHAMBERLAIN,
Governor of South Carolina.