Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1876-10-28
Governor Chamberlain's State
mcnt in relation to South Caro-
lima Affairs.

The New York Tribune publishes letter from
ment of affairs in South Carolina and justify ing
his action in calling on the President for aid
Ia regard to the rihs clubs he says he has evil
dence of the existence of 2l3 clubs, having an
average membership of 60 men. 1t is estimated
that the number enrolled in these rifle clubs Is not
less than 10 900 and some reckon it as high a.
10000. There is evidence that fully 10000 i'm
proved breech-loading rifles have been purchased
within the past four months for these clubs: We
copy from the Governors letter
These organizations are not only outside the
law, but they are strictly prohibited by the laws of
the State. The evidence is overwhelming that
these clubs were formed and have been constant
| ly used as the chief basis of organization of the
democratic party. During the month of August
| | attended republican meetings among others, in
| the counties of Edgefeld Newberry, Abbt yille
| Barnwell and Lancaster, at each of which these
| clubs were present in numbers varying from 400
| to 1000. They were heavily armed with pistols
| and were commanded by persons bearing the titles
| of military officers. They marched ANA manpu-
vered as ordinary military officers. They attend
| ed these meetings as democrats, took control of
| them in some instances, and in all instances en-
| forced their demand for participation in republic
can meetings by their presence As armed, organ
| lied bodies.
In their several localities these clubs have opcr.
| ated openly and ostensby democratic cam
paign organizations Far and wide in the State
| they have ridden by day and by night as mena c
to the members of the republican party, especially
It's colored members, ultoring threats, and not
seldom executing them. Prior TO the resent in
stances of widespread violence which occasiOned
my proclamation and call upon the President
| these clubs, or those who were members thereof
had killed. exclusive OF the Hamburg and Ellen.
ton maesacrcS, not less than fifteen members n
the republican party had whipped and outraged
hundreds. and had in1iyidu lily characterization
sands. Tpey had for the mot part evaded pun.
| lshment by reason of their numbers and the ter.
| ror Inspired both in their victims and in the oil
| GERS of the law. Constituting or representing a:
| they did almost the entire body of white men in
| their localities efficient way of enforcing the
| law was left. constable or sheriff with a col
| oied posse woald have been mastered in an at
| tempt to execute the law. If | were to pas
| through the same scenes again, | should nevel
order, advise or permit the effort to be made tC
| overcome such distractions to the law by any
force then at my command. 1t would be not les
| idle than cruel.
THE RIOT AT ELLENToN.
| L come now to the transaction which is known
here as che Ellent0n massacre, and which wa
| the immediate cause Of my call upon the Presl
dent for military aid. The country Is already ia
mar with the Hamburg massacre, which was al
the time Of its occurrence, in July, declared by
my opponents here to be sporadic and unpromed
taed in its character Ellenton, the center of the
scene of the latter and more extensive massacre
| is situated in the same county with Hamburg
: (Aikenl and about 20 miles distant. The coun.
| lies adjoining Aiken on the north and south are
Edgefeld and Barnwel. The riot and massacre
contir ued from the 10th TO the oath OF September
The affair MS so carefully planned, all truthful
reports Of its character were so successfully sup
rresse !, and the terror inspired in all the local