The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1876-10-28
A Picture OF South Carolina.
From the Chicago Inter-Ocean,1

history OF South Carolina politics from the
time OF reconstruction, and it shows that
state to be the scene Of reign Of terrorism
fully equal in arrogance and atrocity to that
| OF 1SGO-61. The writer says:
One passing through South Carolina would i'm
agine that it was in slate of war. 1t resembles
vast armed camp: On every green and public
square the c ang Of muskets can be heard, as
paracing infantry ground their arms. From
every old field rings out threateningly the note of
the bugis or the booming Of the field. piece, as
The depots are crowded with cases of firearms.
ordered from the North. The stores can not sup.
ply the demand for arms and ammunition, and
every gunsmith in the city and blacksmith in the
one ID seen on the streets without q repeater or
rife; and not day passes in town or city but
that the quick and scattering reports Of gums
and pistols, used on targets in the vicinity.
would lead stranger to suppose that q skir-
mish, if not battle, was in progress around
him.
!, He . shows that these notes Of preparation
date from the day of the assembling of the
Democratic Confederate National House of
Representatives. Previous to that time
quiet reigned throughout the borders of the
state. Governor Chamberlain's honest adj
ministration had apparently won him the
confidence Of the eaters. 1t had opened
to him the doors of the aristocracy, and
tives. But from the day of the converting
Of the Confederate House the situation rap.
idly changed. The journals whose conserv.
alive editors had supported the reform adj
ninistratiOn Of Gov. Chamberlain were
bought up and placed in new hands. Rifle
clubs were formed in every white commune
y In the State. The conservative conven-
ton which was to have Endorsed Chamber
lain's nomination was packed to nominate
wade Hampton. With known overwhelm-
ing majority against them, the ex. Confed.
crates resolved to carry the State. The
edict had gone forth from Tilden's bench.
men that there must be ''d united South
and the Buffers and the Hamptons Of South
carolina prepared to carry out their part of
the programme with the pistol, the knife,
and the shotgun. The following descrip.
ton of Republican mass meeting shows
exactly how much Of the freedom Of speech
and Of political action there is left in South
Carolina:
n, In alarm arr they 1.-THE DegIoes call mass meet
prominent men are invited to be present and
speak The time comes. Thousands are pres.
s sndd. They oagani.e and the sgsaiing begins.
The tap OF the drum and the sound Of the bugle
are heard down the road. Two long columns Of
white soldis-y: armed TO the teeth. mounted and
to the platform. They push aside the frightened
negroes and select the best seats. Their lead.
e5s: ex- Confederate officers, then mount the
cratic speakers. Its tremblingly accorded. A
Confederate General arises, delivers q blood.
and thunder harangue, telling the negroes they
tneir present leaders and come hack to their old
masters. who intend to carry the election, peace
ably IL they can. but dorcibiy Il they resisted
with q storm Of h sees and deaf
ening yell Of derision from the military. lie
mutters q few words. every sentenc, being
uttered loud enough to be heard. Forthwith an
armed bully steps forward from the ranks and |
pronounces that assertion lie. The speaker |
dares not resent the insuIt-nay, he dares mot |
notice or allude to it. He talks on for awhile |
But the insults, jeers, impairment questions, |
ETC., come faster and faster, and finally, in |
the kissing has subsided, another Confederate |
eAkes the hoor. He goes over he rambling 70. |