Delaware tribune. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1867-1877, 1876-01-27

LETTER OF GOVERNOR D. H. CHAMBERLAIN, OF
souTH CAROLINA, TO PROMINENT US. SENATOR
His own ATTITUDE, AND THE POLITICAL BTU
ALTON IN THAT STATE
Sfeciai Correspondence Of The Commercial.
WASHINGTON, d. O., January %.
The following letter, received here few days
ago, il addressed by Governor chamberlain, Of
South Carolina, to prominent Republican Sen
ator. It is calculated to enlighten the country,
both - to Gov. Chamberlan's position in his
own State, and the duty Of Republicans outside
Of it to sustain him
The letter has been privately seen, here, by
members OF the Administration, and other lead
ing Republicans, and will he published in sew
erA leading newspapers, in day or two. Tho
CoNMrncIAL will probably be able to give it first
to the public.
LErTKR or GOV. CHAMBERLAIN.
COLUMBIA, 8. G., Jan. Is.
DEAN 8IR IL have to-day received letter
from friend who has recently oonvorsed with
you, in which he writes. az Senator - looks
On yoar (nyl ettituds ~ IL psAaaiul hAsnulcar
k00 with the DemocrAts, and Alroasiy gives up
the State (south Csrolna) to the opposition"
I am sure you would not willingly reach either
Of the above conclusions, and, therefore. am
forced to think that you are greatly misinformed
in regard to the posture of political Affairs in
this State. am aware, too, that you are greatly
and sincerely Interested in the fortunes Of South-
efn kepublicsns, and I, therefore. conclude that
you will listen to statements which may be laid
before you, though they may not agree with the
conclusions which you have already reached.
beg your indulgence while, - briefly rs possible,
give you my views Of the situation here.
THE SOUTH CAROLINA SITUATION.
Ex-Governor F. J. Moses, Jr, was my preds-
cessor in Office. During his torn of office the
Cop6upk of nuhiN nfYnir~ nv him and his f0llnv-
ers was such that vast majority Of the Repub-
lican party became convinced that a thor
ough reform. or the promise Of il, was
the only way in which the succesa Of the
reason WAS selected ~ the candidate for
Governor of those who held such views. had
been Attorney General Of the State from 1868
to 1872 and on account Of my connection with
public a1Airs here during that period, was
distrusted by many Republicans and my nomina-
ton WAS hotly contested, ,on the sole ground that
| was not likely to carry out the prominent re-
forms OF our party. Upon my nomination,
though had pledged myself in every form to
immediate and rigid reform. bolt took place,
embracing many Of our best and most devoted
Republicans, who refused to support me
because I could not in their judg-
ment, be trusted to carry out prac-
ticAl reform. My election WAS fercely con-
tested by those'R e'Republcans on that one ground
alone, while my friends and stoutly asserted,
by our platform and speeches, everywhere, that
II I was elected, thorough and complete reform
should take place. I was elected by majority
Of II, 600 votes ~ against majority OF 80, 600
for Moses two years previous, and 10000 for
Scott four years previOus,-th reduced maj jori-
ty being solely due to the dstrust of me and
my supporters by = considerable wing Of our
party on the single issue Of reform. took my
seat rs Goversor, Dec. 1, 1874, and addressed
pledges I had made, and the pledges made
for me by all nv friends and
by our platform in the campaign. soon found
that many Of those who supported mo i'll the
| campaign and had talked reform did not want
reform /; but perseyered, determined ~ mat
| ter Of right and OF good policy, to adhere to my
party platform and pledges. OF course those
who disliked practical reform cried ont al He ID
going oper to the Democrats. He wants social
recognition from the rebels" and all the rest Of
about me. Still I persevered, and when our
Legislature met iu November last, there was ap.
parent harmony between me and my party and
a complete acluiescence in the wisdom OF
the policy of reform - carried out BY
the Democracy of this State was dsarmed,
and had no hope apparently Of evan nominating
3 separate State ticket in opposition to the Re
publican party. Neither under the guise Of
could they or did they maintain even Al organi
cation worthy the name. The leaders could no
persuade the masses Of white people that they
could secure any better government than they
were enjoying under my administration.
GOVERNOR oHAMBzRLA1Ns PREVIOUS ACTION.
Now what had done up to that timer chal
lenge contradiction from any source when sol
emnly affirm that had done nothing, not one
thing, which Was not pledged by me on every
stump in the State when l was can
didate, nothing which our party platform
did not demand; nothing but what every mar
| who now opposes me declared in that campaign
| IN In indi uGph hia pnthiuu vvhich mr. a,x
| other honest Republican would not say was rig't
| and Republican, This 10 broad statement, bnt
defy proof Of any sort in contradiction of it in
any particular. Suppose you talk with come one
it certainly cannot be difficult Judging from wha,
hear, to find SUCH Ask him what Governor
Chamberlain had done before these recent Judi
cial elections that indicated any intidelity to the
Republican party Ask him il had appointed
Democrats to office II he tolls you the truth
he will sAy no, for the fact is that neve
since 1868 were there 70 few Democrats il
office in this State as since my administration
l know whereof affirm, and will prone 1t to yot
II you find it denied Ask him further il ad
vocsted or approved any measures Of Legislation
which were in any possible sense unrepublicAl
or opposed to the interests OF the Republican
party. He cannot name one,-for there ia no
one. Ask him il l proclaimed any doctrine
which wero not held by the Republican party
He will not be able to point out one. Ask hir
il ever, in any way, affiliated politically wit
the Democracy or had any thing to do with them
politically. nearly, or remotely. He will not b
able to point out any such action or tendenc
Of any kind Or degree. What then, Is the mai
ter with ms2 Why was i disliked and dc
J n ,unced by some members of my own party
Simply for this, insisted on reasonable taxes
competent officers, honest expenditures, fai
legislation and no stealing, and the Democrat
, praised me for it, The two last things are m
offence. did not sanction schemes Of publ
, punder, such ~ our Printing Ring, for instAnc,
but the cost Of public printing per year wss GU
) down from $l80,0OO to $4,000, and continger
, funds from $50. 600 to $27, ,000 and repeat til
t Democrats praised me.
AN OFFER TO PROVE THE srATEMKNTs.
Now Mr.. Senator, make this oHer, IL any ms
will contradict single statement OF fact ha,
. thus far made will proce hun liar, to yo'
a satisfaction.
' Now. the extent OF my guilt for permitting Il
Z Democrats to praise me cannot precisely me
y sure. Some men reason that must be \ trait
: because Democrats praise me, but that will n
quite do, l AN sure, NTH you. Why should n
the Democrats praise mef Low taxes are pop
lar even with Democrats. Competent Office
are preferred to incompetent ones even by Sou
Carolina Democrats. Honest expenditures
a. public moreys are acceptable to Democri
even, and "no stealing is almost everywht
=, rather q popular slogan, to say nothing abe
~ ~ its being. right. ! never asked th
praise. II there had bosn anything
n asked them not to praise me, because til
se praise would give pretext to the Washing,
g. Republican and such sort OF people to denour
he me, a. they are doing, now. ~ tlt only for
A. penitentiAry. But they did praise me, they
praise me, and confess don't see how G
ell help it. Seriously, Sir, il have told you
Ia truth, ought to be denounced by Republics
mt ~ traitor. ought TO bs considered by you
"a. " in practical Identification with the Democ
ga cy" because the taxpayers Of South Carroll
fts praise me for doing what every Republican v
ma supported me in the last campaign said wo
mt do and asked the people to vote for me becA'
Ia would do?
ch SUCH WAS THE CONDITION OF AFFAIRS,
se, here on the 18th day Of last December.
ed Democracy OF South Carolina was in perfect
IN lapse. No State issues could have given tn
mt life or activity. 1t la doubtful whether Q
national issues would have had force enoug
have induced . CANVASS Of the State for
Democratic candidates in the coming Presto
tial campaign under the circumstances then
aHs listing.
On the 10th of December last, the Gen
,o,a Assembly, under influences which it is imp,
w'o' w BILE now to state fully, elected F. J. Moses,
hS' and W. ]. Whipper ~ Judges OF the Oil
wn, Court Of this State, the latter for the Cil
Ids. which embraces the city Of Charleston
.eAr constitutes tho most important Ci
ome Of the State in point Of population, wealth,
1ers business Are you aware who these men
ers. Moses WAS my predecessor ~ Governor. u
Mel the universal belief among all classes Of p,
near in this State 10 mistaken, he il ~ infamo
character ~ ever in any age disgrAced and
ork, tttuted public position. II there IL Anybot
,ctly Washington who shall happen to deny u
sur- will prove it to your abundant satisfaction.