Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-08-04
EXECUTIVE MANSION.
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DEAR SIR i am in receipt of your letter
Of the 22i of July and all enclosures emu
merated therein, giving an account Of the
late barba-ous massacre Of innocent men at
the town Of Hamburg, ). {. The views
which you express a. to the duty you owe
TO your oath Of office and to the citizens to
secure to all their civil rights, including
the right to vote according TO the dictates
of their own consciences, and the further
duty of the executive Of the nation to give
all needful aid. when properly called on
to do so, TO enable you to insure this in
aliensble right, | fully concur in. The
scene at Hamburg, as cruel, bloodthirsty,
wanton, unprovoked, and a. uncalled for as
it was, is only repetition Of the course that
has been pursued IN other Southern States
within the last few years, notably in Missis-
sippi and Louisiana. Mississippi Is govern
ed to-day by officials chosen through fraud
and violence, such a. would scarcely be ac-
credited TO sayages, much less to civilized
and Christian people. How long these
things are to continue, or what is 10 be the
final remedy, the great Ruler ofthe universe
only knows but have an abiding faith
that the remedy will come, and speedily,
and earnestly hope it will come peaceably.
There has never been a desire on the part
Of the North TO humiliate the South. Moth
ing is claimed for one State that is not freely
accorded TO others, unless it may be the
right to kill negroes and Republicans with
out fear of punishment and without loss Of
caste or reputation. This has seemed TO be
privilege claimed by a few States. re-
peat that fully agree with you as to the
measure of your duties in the present emer-
gency. and as to my duties to 90 en- and let
every Governor, where the same dangers
threaten the peace Of his State, 90 on in the
conscientious discharge of his duties to the
humblest as well as TO the proudest citizen,
and | will give every aid for which | can
find law or constitutional power. The gov
ernment that cannot give protection 10 life,
property and all guaranteed civil rights-in
this country the greatest is an untramelled
ballot-to the citizen is in 50 far a failure,
and every energy of the oppressed should be
exerted. always within the law and by con-
stitutional means, to regain the lost priyil-
eyes and protection. Too long a denial Of
guaranteed rights is sure to lead to reyolu-
ton, bloody revolution. where suffering
must fall upon the innocent a. well as the
guilty.
Expressing the hope that the better judg
ment and cooperation of the citizens Of the
State over which you have presided so ably
may enable you to secure the fair trial and
punishment of all offenders without distinc-
ton of race or color or previous condition,
and without aid from the Federal Govern
ment, but with the promise of such aid on
the conditions named in the foregoing,
subscribe myself very respectfully your
obedieLt servant, L. S. GRANT.
To Hon. D. II. Chamberlain, Governor of
South Carolina.
The verdict of the coroners jury who held
an inquest over the victims, charges Gen.
NJ. C. Butler, Col. A. p Butler, DR.. Pierce
Butler, Rev. 7. Meeting, and ffty-three
other citizens of Aiken and Edgefeld cOun-
ties. and thirty GeOrgians, with the murder.
Warrants Of arrest for all the persons
charged with the crime are now in the
hands Of the Sheriff of Aiken county The
South Carolinians are said to intend to sur
render to the sheriff without delay. Gov.
Chamberlain will Immediately issue requi-
sitions upon the Governor of Georgia for all
persons charged by the verdict in that State
Attorney General Stone is in Aiken, by d.
rection Of the Governor, to take charge of the
prosecutions. The evidence is said to be far
more damaging than heretofore believed.