Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1876-08-11
President Grant on the Hamburg
Butchery.
WASHINGTON, Aug. 1,

WASHINGTON, Aug. I,
The following message was received by
the Senate from the President to-day,
Tothe Senate Qfthe United States; in response
/ to resolution of the Senate, July 20, ca Hing
upon the President to communicate TO tho
| Senate, II IN his opinion not incompatible
with public interest, any Information in re.
gard to the slaughter OF American citizens
at Hamburg, \. c., have the honor 10 sub
NIT the following enclosures; Here follows
number of papers relative TO the Hamburg
massacre.l
The President says: These inclosures
srnbrace all the information in my posses.
sion touching the late dsgraceful and brutal
slaughter Of unOtfending men at the town of
Hamburg, s. q. My letter TO Gov Cham
berlain contains all the comments wish TO
make on the subject As allusion is made
In the letter to the condition Of other States
and particularly TO Louisiana, and Missis-
ippi, have added TO the Enclosures letters
and testimony in regard to the lawless con-
dition OF portion of the people of the lattor
State! In regard to Louisiana affairs, murders
and massacrcs Of innocent men for opinions
sake, or on account Of color, have been of
too recent date and too frequent occurrence
to require recapitulation or testimony here
All are familiar with their horrible details,
the only wonder being that so many Justify
them or apologize for them. But recently
committee Of the Senate of the United states
visited the State Of Mississippi to take tcs-
timony on the subject of frauds and vio-
lence In elections Their report has not
been made public, but I await its forthcom.
ing with feeling of confidence that 1t will
fully sustain all That have stated In relation
TO fraud and violence in the State of Missis-
sippi. u S. GRANT.
EXECUTIVE MANSION, July 81, 1876
The following is the Presidents letter 10
l,f,rI Ioar A -.
ExEoUTIvH MANSION
WASHINGTON, D. c., July 26.
DEAR SIR: am in receipt OF your letter
OF the I'D OF July, and all the Enclosures
enumerated therein, giving an account OF
the late burbarOus massacre of innocent men
at the town of Hamburg, s. G. The views
which you express as 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 &C.
cOrding to the die ates of their own
conscienccs, and the further duty Of the
Executive of the Nation to give all needful
aid when properly called on to do so to ena-
Bile you to insure this inallenable right, |
fully concur in. The scene at Hamburg,
cruel, bloodthirsty, wanton, unprovoked and
uncalled-for us it was, is only repetition of
the course that has been pursued in other
Southern States within the last few years.
notably In Mississippi and Louisiana. Mis-.
iBBi - &ONCFHtu tO-ud1 DH OFFICIALS CHOSEN
through fraud and violence, such as would
scarcely be accredited to savages, much
less. to civilized and Christian people.
How long these things are TO continue, or
what is to be the final remedy, the Great
Ruler OF the Universe only knows. But
have an abiding faith that remedy will
come, and come speedily, and / earnestly
hope that it will come peacefully. There
has never been a desire on the part of the
North to humilate the South. Nothing is
claimed for one State that is not freely ac-
corded to all others unless it be the right to
Kill negroes and Republicans without fear
of punishment and without loss OF caste or
reputation. This has seemed to be prvi-
lege claimed by few States.
lrepeat again that fully agree with you
as to the measure Of your duties in the pres
ent emergency, and as to my duties Go on,
and let every Governor where the same dan
gers threaten the peace OF his State 90 on in
he conscientious discharge of his duties to
the humblest as well as the proudest citizen,
aud will give every aid for which can find
law or Constitutional power. The Govern
nent that cannot give protection TO life,
and all guaranteed civil rights
IN this country the greatest is an untram-
nGled ballot-to the citizen is in SO far a
failure, and every energy of the oppressed
should be cxcrted always within the law
and by Constitutional means) to regain lost
privileges and protection. The denial of
guaranteed rights is sure to lead to revolt.
ion, bloody revolution, where the suffering
must fall upon the innocent as well as the !
guilty.
Expressing the hope that the better judg-
nent and co operation Of the citizens of the |
state over which you have presided so ably |
nay enable you to secure fair trial and |
punishment of all offenders, without dis
inction of race, or color, or previous con- |
lition, and without aid from the Federal |
Government, but with the promise of such |
lid on the conditions named in the fore
,oing, subscribe myself, very respectfully, |
'our obedient servant, u. s. GRANT
70 the Hon. d. II. Chamberlain, Governor of |
South Caroline.