The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1876-10-26
The War in South Carolina,


correct account Of the so called "war
of races" in South Carolina which
has been published, with a complete
list Of the killed and wounded. The
Ellenton riot, in it's different phases,
was undoubtedly an exciting affair;
but it is over, and we do not see any
thing in it's history to warrant the
charges which Governor Chamber
lain, candidate for re electi m, pub
fishes against the white people OF the
State. There was disorder on both
sides, but it is clear from our corres~
pondent's account that. while the ne
groes, ignorant, suspicious, under
the leadership of men of their own
race, who prefer mischief to peace,
and, wrongly alarmed, brought on
the strife, and throughout acted with,
out authority or warrant Of law, the
whi es acted as sheriff's posse, had
with them the white Sheriff, who
was wounded by the fire Of Tho n
grces, and it is clear that the white
men conducted themselves with or,
der and self-restraint.
What We chiefly notice in the
whole matter is that the Governor OF
the State appears to have taken no
part in it or notice Of it. He seems
to havo turned it over to the Federal
powers; and it remained for United
States troops to step in between the
combatants and stop the struggle,
which was done at once, tie whites
dlsbanding and going home without
a minutes hesitation, as soon AS the
Federal Captain appeared and prom~
ised that the negroes should also dis~
band and cease hostili les.
Now, there is no hope Of any COM
lnunity where the local authorities
are TINS ahject and inactive. II
Governor Chamberlain had in any
other way shown his unfilness for the
office to which he aims to le-elect
. himselS conduct in this Ellenton
al air ought to cause every man,
white and black, in the State, to vote
against him. The colored man, in
particular ought to vote against him,
because they above all others need a
State government prompt to put
down lawlessness, whether It arises
In their own ranks or among the
whites. All experience since the
war proves that the negroes cannot
make a successful stand against the
whites. in these irregular and inter-
necine conflicts. They have, as at
,Vicksburg and elsewhere, been ready
enough to begin a fight; but they
always get the worst of it, because
they are badly led, by designing
knaves who lead them into trouble
only to desert them in the moment
OF action. General Hampton has, on
every stump in the State, promised
equal and complete protection to the
blacks. We advise them to take him
at his word and vote for him solidly.
He is man of character and cannot
afford to forfeit his word, nor does
he want to.
The colored men of the South have
no more jealous friend than Senator
Boutwell,. Let them act up1n the
advise which he this past summer,
on full view of tho situation in
Mississippi, gave to the leading COL
ored men in that State. He advised
them to nominate for every office in
the, State prominent honest white
men, natives or old residents of the
Slate and fully identified with it; to
trnst themselves to these and vote
for them in body. Under this ad
vice the colored voters of South Car
olina should not hesitate to support
General Hampton and the Demo-
CRATIC State and local ticket. If they
do this they cannot fare worse in any
event than ,tiIey have under Cham