The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1876-12-16
Senator Gordon on the s. Carolina Situation.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 11-Gen. Gordon left
Columbia on Saturday and arrived in Wash
ington this morning, and was in his seat in
the Senate during the afternoon. In CONVEX
sationwith the correspondent of the Sun Gen.
Gordon stated frankly and openly that in the
present light of circumstances he looked upon
the conservative prospects in South Carolina
as not Of an encouraging character. He went
to Columbia Immediately after the election,
and remained there ever since until his de-
parture on Saturday, and is consequently
thoroughly conversant with every detail Of the
existing events Of which that city hos been
the theatre for the last few weeks. He says
that no people in history have ever deser-
we'd the approval Of their fellow. beings more
than the people of South Carolina for the
stolid heroic courage with which they have
endured, without the least attempt at retalia-
ton, the persecution, the contumely and the
wrongs which have been heaped upon them.
He says that the people Of the State, includ-
ing large body Of the negroes, look upon
Hampton as the Governor Of the State; that
practically Hampton has been Governor for
three months, as his influence and advice is
potential through the State. His course and
his counsel has prevented all danger of col
lision, and will continue to be exerted to that
effect TO the end. ~ s.,i p
Gen. Gordon thinks that come what may
the people of South Carolina will in4ugurate
no contest of force, although he says he great
effort Of Chamberlain and his supporters is to
goad them into existence. Gen. Gordon says
the statements which have been published Of
armed refe clubs coming by thousands into
Columbia is entirely untrue. He says that
hundreds of people from the interior have
been drawn to Columbia in the last four weeks
by the excitement, but they have come as in
diyiduals, and not as organizations armed or
unarmed. So far as he is advised every cir
cult judge in the State agrees with the Su'
preme Court of the State in recognizing Hamp.
ton as the legal Governor and the Wallace
House as the legal House, and il should be
remembered that every one of these judges il
Republican.
He says he is satisfied Of the perfect truth
of his assertion that every drop of blood shed
| in the State in the last three or four months
has been shed by Republican hands! The
conservatives of South Carolina Of course
4 feel disheartened very mueh at the attitude Of
the general government when they have the
law and the facts on their side beyond any
dispute. But they do not, for this reason,
mean to abandon their State organization OF
| their determination to insist upon the asser
ton Of their rights. They have good reason
to believe that they will continue to receive
still further aceessions from the Mackey
House, and they have also ground. forthe be.
lief that the State Senate will in a short time
recognise the Wallace. House and act with it.
When this comes to pass Hampton will BE-
4 inaugurated, but the present purpose isuo t
take this step until that comes to pass.
| Gen Gordon, IN reply TO the Presidents
statement that the counties of Edge6eld and
Laurens were carried by voters from George
\ says the people Of South Carolina court in
vestieation ON this point. Seven couipaniel
4 of troops were in Edge6eld county. He say
that wherever the military were there III,
Democratic vote increased The Democrat,
committee had a full poll list Of the voters Ii
Edgefeld county, and there were six hundre,
less votes polled than were On the list. HI
! says that had it not been for the intimidation
ofthe negroes by their own race and by Cham
berlain's minions, .Hampton's majority woult
have been twenty-five thousand. In III,
county Of Edgefeld, oyerrup as il was viii
deputy marshals, there WERE not, moro thai
ten or fifteen arrests made on account Of in
timidaton or Illegal voting, which shows no,
much foundation there is for the President
statement. sf a