The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-08-07
THE HAMBURG MASSACRE.
GOVERNOR cHAMBEBLAIN's LETTER TO PREsI-
DENT GRANT-A BLOODY POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
PREDIcTED-AN APPEAL FOR FEDERAL INTER-

GOVERNOR cHAMBEBLAN's LETTER TO PREsI-
DENT GRANT, BLOODY POLITICAL CAMPAIGN
PREprcTED-AN APPEAL FOR FEDERAL INTER-
FERENCE.
WASHINGTON, August 9, 1875
The following is the letter OF Governor Chamberlain
Of South Carolina which President Grants reply has
already been publlshed:-
STATE soUrH CAROLINA,
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER, COLUMBIA, July ~ 1870
SR-Ihe recent massacre at Hamburg, in this State,
Is matter closely connected with Inc public peace
or this state that desire to call your attention TO
Tor the purpose OF laying before my views OF its
cnect anu the measures which become necessary
10 adopt 10 prevent the vi similar eveuts
II Is, IN the first place, maniiestiy impossible
termine with absolute certainty the motives OF those
who were engaged in perpetrating the massacre at
Hamburg. The demand which was made by the mob
upon iho militia company Tor the surrender OF their
arms, taken IN connection with the fact that
the militia are not shown 10 have committed
or threatened any Injury to any persons
in that community would indicate a
purpose to deprive the militia their rights on &C.
count OF their political opinions 1t seems I'M
possible 10 lind rational adequate cause Tor such
demand, except In The iact>tbat tue company
composed OF negroes The addition fact hat
they were, besides being negroes, members OF
publican party. Those who made the demand WERE on
the other hand white men and members Of the dem
ocratic party.
THE LINES or RACK
and political party lines which mark ed the
respective parties Ia the affair at Hamburg mention
this fact and MS apparently The most trustworthy
index oil the motives and which Inspired those
who brought on this conflict As affecting the pubic
peace, however, The effect OF this more i'm.
portant than the motives which prompted it, Upon
this pont can speak with more confidence. II Is not
TO be donbed that tho effect Of this
TO cause widespread terror and apprehension among
State There is little doubt on the other
hand that feeling of triumph and political
citation has been caused by this the minds
oi many OF the white people and democrats The fears
Of the one side correspond with the hopes of other
do not intend to Overstate any matters connected
with This affair to any statement which seems
q s n H.
canoe 1t IS certainly true that most, though all
OF those who have spoken through The newspapers
otherwise here ON tho white or democratic side upon
the matter have
CONDEMNED THE MAssAcRE.
Their opposition such conduct has not. however.
suticed TO prevent this mas sacre, nor do see any
greater reason for believing that II Will do the
future That class which now engage In this cruel work
certainly disregard the expressed those
who assume to speak, for the most nar tor their
munites anu so forward without lear OF public opinion
II Is sometimes asked Why do not the colored race
return this violence with violence Why do they suf-
themselves be thus lerrorized when their num-
beers greatly exceed those OF their enemies in the To-
cates where many OF these outragcs occur 2 he
swer is not dinicult The long haDt OF command and
seassertion ON the part OF the whites Of these South
ern states their superior Intelligence as compared
with the coored race. the Tact that at least ourh
Of the property Of these States their hands,
causes which contribute to give them
SUPERIORITY
thus far over tho recently emancipated race which
stil exhibit the effects of their long slavery IN their
habit oil yielding to the more mperious aud resolute
will aud the superior intelligence and matured
OF the white man. Add TO this that almost
every southern community there may be
found considerable number oil daring law
less, reckless white men, accustomed to
and deeds Of i.nce, whom the restraints
Of the sentiments OF the better ana conservative
classes OF society have lttic II any, power, who
inspired by an intense and brutal hatred OF the negro
a free man, and more particularly voter aud a
republican, and you have the elements which would
naturally give to- and in point OF TACT do give
TO, nearly all the OF bloody violence which
the southern States. Besides all this another TACT
must be noted here, fact which, in my Judgment.
marks and EXPLAINS the world wide difference between
the effect such occurrences this at Hamburg upon
the OF the white people here and the effects of
deeds of blood and violence tho people OF other
sections OF the countryEanely that such
as this at Hamburg nave generally resulted in what Is
thought 10 be
POLITICAL ADVANTAGE
10 the democratic party here. From this fact 1t
suits that the white people here induced to
siderable extent TO overlook tho naked brutality OF the
occurrence and seek TO hnd some excuse explana-
ton OF conuuct which ought receive only unqualified
adherence aud condemnation, fol owed by speedy and
adequate punishment In this way It often happens
that few reckless men permitted encouraged
to tcrr0rize whole community and destroy all free
dom OF action on the part OF those who differ from
of the white people hero content themselves with
verbal periunctory dcnunciations, and never adopt
such measures or arouse such public sentiment as
would here, az well as elsewhere, put stop TO such
occurrences.
RESULT OF THE MASSACRE
In respect to the Hamburg massacre as have said,
the fact unQuestionable that has resulted great
immediate alarm among the coored people and all
publicans IN that section Of the State Judging from
past experience they In this occurrence evil
dence OF purpose subject tho majority tho voters
of that vicinity to such degree OF fear TO keep them
from the polls on election day, aud thus reverse or
st,ne the true political voice OF the people
But the Hamburg massacre has produced another
effect; II has q matter of fact, caused firm belief
the part OF most republicans here that this
ut Hamburg Is only the beginning OF series OF similar
race and party collisions IN our State the deliberate
aim OF which Is believed by them be tue political
subjugaton and control of this state They there
fore IN this event what foreshadows a campaign OF
blood and violence, such campaign as is popularity
known as campaign conducted on the mississippi
plan
yEAR OF VIOLENCE
From what have said II will not be difficult to
understand the feeling OF majority OF the citizens
a considerable part of this State 1t rs ono OF
II is one Of fear tina. in tho passion
and excitement OF the current political campaign
physical violence is to be- used to tho pot
Cal will OF the people conlinc myself here to state
men of what believe to be tho facts OF the present
situation In this State connected with the public
and order, without any expression OF my individual
store and preserve public peace and ORDER to tho end
that every man IN South Carolina freely and safely
enjoy all his civil rights and privileges, including the
right to VOTE II Is TO this end that call your
attention 10 these matters shall go forward to do
all IN my power Governor to accomplish the ends
above Indicated but deem ii important to advise YOU
Of the facts now stated and to solicit from you some
indication OF your views upon the questions presented
APPEAL PoR FEDERAL ISrERFE REscE
To be most specific VIII the general government OK
crt Itself vigorously to repress violence in this state
during the present political campaign the of
persons belonging TO either political party, whenever
That violence shall be beyond the control Of the State
auihoritiesf Will tho general government take such
precautions may be suitable, in view Of the feeling
OF alarm already referred to- 10 restore confidence to
the poor people of both and political parties In
this State by such distribution OF the military forces
here will render tho Intervention OF the gen.
oral government prompt and effective, II II shall be-
come necessary, IN restoring peace and orderf
II seems proper to add that moved to make
this commu nicaton to you by no motive or feeling
save such as should inmate mo as the Chief Executive
this State bound to do justice 10 all and to Cypress
venture 10 say that ! have given sufficient
evidence, by my whole conduct In this Office
thar, as Governor, am guided by my oath
Office and my duty to all the people. ] challenge
any proof indication, from any word or act Of
Governor, that am capable OF doing injustice
denying justice to any citizen OF this state; but do
deem II my solemn duty to do my utmost TO secure
this State, to protect every man In the free enjoy
ment OF his political rights and to see to II that no
combination OF men oil any political party
shall put in fear of danger any citizen Of
South Carolina IN the exercise OF his civil rights. In
accomplishing these results recognize with deep
regret that there many ind LEGATIONS that II will be