New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-10-19

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who had defied his own party in the effort to
suppress corruption and protect the people IL
did not seem possible that he could pre-
vail within his party. lie had to
deal, not with an intelligent Northern
constituency, composed of propcrty-own-
ers and taxpayers, but with comparatively
ignorant cOlorcd men, of whom the great ma
iority pay no taxes, own no property, ana
have little understanding of the consequences
of corrupt government. Nevertheless thlS
brave man persisted and triumphed. After a
prolonged struggle his own party renominated
him. Honest men all over the land were glad.
Republican knaveS in South Carolina began 10
conspire with Democrats for his defeat. To-
dav thc same Democrats who declared Judge
Moses a thief are sending all over the country
his certificate that the Democrats are law
abiding and peaceable. But are there no
honest Democrats in South Carolina 10
none of them remember, do not the merchants
of Charleston remember, their pledges 10 tiliS
Governor to stand by him, if he stood by the
taxpayers and defended theml
Facts must answer. The Democratic party
nominated Wade Hampton. When Gov Chaih-
berlain was nominated by the Republicans, he
WAS thcnceforth denounced rs ii he had been
the most rascally of all carpet-baggers. The
cry went out that South Carolina must vote
for TIden. and, to that end, that the reform
inc Governor must be beaten. How? BY an
alliance with Moses and other knayes mat
was not all, nor the worst. 1t Is no longer
denied by Democratic papers That armed
Democratic clubs exist. The Hamburg mas
sacre was the beginning; he who denies that
there have been assassnationS and whlppngs,
brutalites innumerablc, prescriptions without
shame or limit and systematic presence OF
armed rifle clubs at Republican meetings,
might as well deny that Custer and his
men were killed. The cO!Ored voters have
been so alarmed that sober and truthful
men believe, unless something Is done 10
secure the free and safe enjoyment of the
suffrage, not single man will dare to vote
a Republican ticket in some OF the counties
in which that vote is largest. Gov. Chamber
lain. whose conduct and character cause him to
be believed, Just as the conduct and character
of GOV. Amcs caused him to he disbelleved,
formally declares that domestic violence exists,
of such character that it is not possible for
him to repreSs it, and to protect citizens IN
the endowment of their rights. in the dis
charge of his constitutional duty he calls
upon the United States for aid. The Presl-
dents duty is plain. The Constitution pre-
scribes 1t. He is bound to protect this State
against domestic violence, be the consequences
what they may.
We have ccnsurcd interference TO keep
thieves in Office. This time an honest vote Is
demanded by man who has proved his
fidelity to pledges of reform. Interference to
prevent fair election elsewhere was criminal.
But 1t would be criminal not to interfere, To
the full limit of powers granted by the Con-
stitutiOn. in order to prevent the overthrow oil
all law and all freedom of suffrage by armed
men. The situation is diSgaccful to the Re
public. But the blame rests with those who
intend that minority with rifles shall over
power a majority. The supreme law of this
land guarantees freedom of suffrage to its
citizens, and if that Constitution can be dcfed
with impunity by rifle clubs in South Caro-
lima, those who fired OH Fort Sumter have
triumphed at last.