The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-10-11

the newspapers, of what has trans
pired at political gatherings. l can
only say that [ have witnessed
nothing beyond the circumstances
generally char acteristic Of an excl
ted political canvass, -,
have seen no violence. On the
contrary, as far as.I have had inter
course with gentlemen of your par
ty, I have observed less disposition
to excited statement and personal
bitterness, than. during any or the
previous political campaigns'of TINS
State. I sincerely hope that the
fears of many, that the lawless per-
ton OF the community will be per-
mitted to disturb the poaoe and IN
|juro tho good name Of. the State
are groundless. ,.T
/ am satisfied that it Is the inten'
ton of the leading men Of yonr par
ty to prevent snch o state of things,
and I believe they;have the ability
to do 70. ..,, .-,'. s.r.
Very respectfully, your obd't sgt,
A. ]. WILLARD.
REPLY OF CIRCUIT JUDGE 7. J.
MAcKEYt
Circuit Judge T. J. Aackcy (Rep.)
telegraphs as tollows;ss-
CHESTER. S, c., October
To 4. G. Haskell, Chairman state
Democratic Committee, sCotundianS.
In reply to Your inquiry of this
date, I would state that peace and
order prevail throughout the limits
of the Sixth Judicial Circuit. en-
bracin., the four counties of York,
Chester, Fairfield and Lancaster.
In this Circuit no armed organl-
cations :obs.ruct judicial proceed
ings, and no resistance has been Of
tered to the due execution Of legal
processes. ~ ~ .g;,a.,
In charging the Grand Jury at
York on last Monday, I stated that
if any citizen, whatcrer might ho
his race, color: or party, had been
threatened with loss Of employ
ment, or put in terror, because Of
his political opinions, he should
make complaint before the Grand
Jury, ORR open Court and the law
'shonld be put in motion TO sustain
him in the free and untrammellcd
exercise of all his rights Of Citizen
ship ..s... 5.za '-
The grand jury, consisting OF
nine white and six coiored citizens,
reported unanimously on last
Wednesday night that no organiza-
lions, either armed or otherwise,
having for their object the X
hibition Of force to control the FREQ
exercise Of the elective franchise,
existed in that country, and no COM
plant charging the existence Of
such organizations had been made
to them. ,.i'. ...
The Same is true Of each and ev.
cry county in this circuit. The on
Iy case of political intimidation that
has trnnspired in this Circuit WAS
tried at York on last Thursday, tho
defendant being one Elw. McDon-
aid, charged with threatening tho
life of one Henry Lowry, also COL
ored, because he hadjoined a Demo-
cratic club, and had declared his
purpose to vote the Democratic
ticket. 80
The jury consisted of six Republi.
can co!ored citizens and six white
men, one Of whom is also an avow
cd Republican. The prisoner was
ably defended by W. b. Williams,
Esq, himself a candidate or tho
Democratic ticket. The jury were
ctarged by me that they were tho
sole judges of the evidence, and
that the guilt of the prisoner must
be established beyond q reasonable
doubt to warrant y conviction,
They rendered verdict Of guilty.
andI sentenced the prisoner to
three months in jail-tho lowest
penalty prescribed by law for tho
o~tiense. I have traversed many
Counties in the State canvassing for
Hayes and Wheeler, and in favor Of
Chamberlain for Governor, during
the past sixty days, and [ have no.
where seen IN attempt on the part
Of any portion of the population to
suppress the sight of free speech b.
armed violence. 1 solemnly protest
against the proclamation Of Cover
nor Chamberlain as absolutely
false, in so far as it imputes to the
inhabitants within the limits Of this
Circuit any purpose to obstrnct the
ordinary course of judicial proceed
ings or to resistin any manner the
duo execution of the laws for the
protection Of life, property or tho
rights of citizenship; and l have
good and sufficient reasons to be-
licve and do believe That the SAT-!
proclamation is eqnally-falsc, in i'm
putting such insurrectiona.y purpose
to the white population in the other
circuits Of this State. l regard the
proclamation as symb"Iizing fifty IL
formidable conspiracy against the
rights Of the people having for its
object the carrying of this State for
D. II. Cham berlain and his candi-
dates, which conspiracy is further
typifed by a Board Of State Cam
rassers, or Election iH%turninS
Board, the majority o. whose men,
bcrs arc candidates on Governor
Chamberlain's ticket, and by ninety
six Commissioners Iof Election in
tho several Counties, seventy OF
whom are Chamberlain declared
partisans, and of which last number
some forty are County Treasurers
and Auditors or Trial Justices, hold
ing lucrative Offices by his appoint
ment, and removable from Office at
his pleasure or aro known to him rs
declared candidates for office endors
ing his ticket who unscat them
selves if they make 4 declaration of
tho election which seats the candi-
dates opposcd to Chamberlain and