The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1876-11-01

reform Governor Tse vet unpaid. ana That
while they supported him, as In the past, there
Was no danger of misgoyernment. But should
they rest contented with this Why not ret
.he upper hard a: home, and then make a des-
uerate aitemps TO seize on the rcins oil power at
WashingtOnf
RACE coSFLIcTs-HAMBURe.
Race difficulties became frequent in Edge
field. At last, in June, six negroes, accused Of
the murder OF two whites, were seized by an
armed baud OF White men, evidently well or
gsniged, and shot They were made 70 face the
force, and every man. al the word Of command,
empiied the contents Of his gun into their bo-
dies. The affair stirred up much bad blood be-
tween the races al over the State TIT Repnb-
leans denounced Il, and the Governor. though
he knew il 10 he useless, offered a reward for the
apprehension of the lynchers. The straight
cutters and frc-eaters sized with the lynehers.
But 60 paeiied had the whites heconle under
Chamberlain that many were found 70 condemn
the shooting as cruel, unnecessary, and likely
70 produce trouble. This affair is known as the
lynching of the Harmon murierers.
General Butler now resolved on q bold, des-
perate stroke. II vas the massacre at Hamburg.
Every one is familiar with that horrible tale. /
desire to call attention to the evident premedi-
tatOn of the whole affair. A State militia com
pauy composed Of negroes was parading on the
Fourth Of July. Two young aristoerats, one of
them 4 Batter, drove up the street in n buggy,
and instead of turning aside demanded that the
militia should give way. After some inctfec-
tive protests this was done. They drove past.
The captsin was ere long indicted for obstruct-
ing the highway. The young men and the father
OF one Of them were the prosecutors. General
". c. Butler appeared as their counsel. Hardly
had they reached the Office of the justice when
armed bands OF white men began to pour into
town the captain and the company, all residents
OF the town, hastily assembled at heir armory
for consultation. The whites soon made a de-
mSnd on them Tor their aImo; unable to under
stand the rightof q band Of rioters TO disarm n le-
gal military company, and fearful OF their treat
nent should they surrender, they refused. Fire
WAS opened on them. They returned II after a
half hour. Thea hundred OF armed Georgians
hurried over the bridge from Augusta, on the
opposite side OF the savannah river, and Joined
in the contest. Finally o cannon was brought
from Augusta, and the company compelled TO
abaadon the house. Many of them were cap
tured. OF these, seven were shot In cold blood,
and the rest turned loose aud fired on as they
departed aud the rioters, after despoIling the
property Of their victims, broke up and de
parted fe- home. Butler was az the bot
tom of the conspiracy, which VIII 20 down
IL history with Glencoe and Wyoming, con
demned TO the eternal execration OF humanity.
THE CONVENTION.
Butler had calculated well. The affair stirred
up the passions of the races. The ~straight-out
ORGANS boldly defended u. Every flre-eater de-
Tended Il. They caught At the chance. Country
papers were purchased. Every county was can
vassod. The passions of the Confederate soldiers
were appealed TO. The Young men were called
upon to rally TO the support of General ". C.
Butler, who had lost a leg in defence of South
Carolina, and won honors in the war. The editor
OF the Nros and Courier had, as far as he dared,
uut The outragcin its true light. An attempt was
made 10 throttle him. General Gary stroye to
engage him in a duel. Mr.. Rhstt also tried to
foist upon him an affair OF honor. Both were
thwarted. but az the eEpense Of much influence TO
the editor, as a withdrawal from a duel is still
considered coHardly and degrading in South
Carolina. The organization Of Democratic
clubs, rife companies, and Mounted companies
were rapidly begun. The fire-ea.ers induced all
the Young men to Join them, and send 10 Coven-
try those who would not. The call on the Presi-
dent for troops by the Governor, though ALSO
lutely justified by Hamburg. was also used 20
stir up luminosity. The State Democratic Con-
vention was called unusually early By the Central
Committee, composed largely Of fre-eaters, and
the election OF delegate after delegate pledged
to strai-outism in the compromise counties
indicated the success of these tremendous efforts.
The convention finally met on the 18th Of
August. The straight-outs were in the ma
jOritv. But SO strong was the confidence of the
whites in Governor Chamberlain that, notwith-
standing all the exertions that had been made,
this majority was only a few votes. But II was
sufficient. The convention resolved 70 nominate
d straight-out Bourbon Democratic ticket. and
TO make q desperate attempt to carry the State on
the Mississippi plan. The ticket was nominated.
Every man on il is an ex- Confaderate officer and
bears wounds received while fighting against the
Union. And At the head OF IL, nominated for
Governor, stands Wade Hampton, the aTistocrat
OF the aristocrats. the i~irc-eater Of the iire-eat-
ers, a famous general in the Confederate army,
the incarnation Of Calhounism, JeI Davisism,
auti-Northism, ard Southern intolerance. After
the measure was once resolved upon the dele
gates acted in concert. Butler. the hero Of Ham,
burg. placed Hampton in nomination before the
convention. The whites once more resolved to
trust them and surrendered at discretion. The
convention gave sentence for open war. After
q torchlight procession and a mammoth ratiica-
ton meeting tho delegates went home with a
fuB upderstandin. of the methods to be en-
ployed.
4 MASS MEETING N SOUTH cARoIISE
And By St.Paul, the work has gone on bravely.
Never since the passage of the ordinance OF Sc
cession have there been such scenes in the State.
Tie Thole white population IS up IN arms and
drilling. Wade Hampton and his colleagues ere
cauyassinC he State. Everywhere they 20 there
are mass meetings aud torehlight and military
professions, recalling those of lSG0-5i. wide
spread fvsten Of Terrorism and intimidation
IEl-Ne rhlIAAAI- "a Af=lbsc- ~ 4'It1 tl-
molestsd thst they have come to look upon
freedom Is the natural order OF things, have
been suddenly awakened from their dream.
They see the military drilling all around them.
Dark faces scoWi at them when they 20 abroad.
They hear of secret meetings and gatherings of
their old-tine owners. Whispcriugs Of the
Hamburg ba.chegy reach them. They hear the
whites al around them saying that the bottom
rail has been on the TOP long enough-that The
darScy has 10 stepdown and ut-th Hampton
must he elected. In alarm they call a mass meet
Ing Of the Republicans for consultation. Their
prominent mcn are invited to be present and
speak. The tine comes. Thousands are pre-
sent. They organize and the speaking begins.
Suddenly a commotion arises. The orator
stops. The tap Of the drum and the sound of
the bu-is are heard down the road. Two long
columns Of white soldiers, armed to the teeth,
mounted and on foot, Gene Cling around the
corner and march TO the Platform. They push
aside the frightened negroes and select the best
seats. Their leaders, ex-Coufcderate Officers,
then mount the platform and demand half the
time for Democratic speakers. i is trenblin-ly
accorded. A Confederate general arises, de-
ivers z Observation-Disclosures harlugue, telling
the negroes they have been fools long enough,
have ~1z 70 discard their present leaders and