New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-11-04

A cIERGYMAN's TESTIMONY Is hEHNLF OF TIE
wHITFs-.~o NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. FEELING BIZ
o. TWEEN rHG WHITES AND BLACKS.
TO heEdttor Of The TrtbHHe.
SIR; have been a subscriber to your paper
for the past year. and intend to continue my suDscip
ton, because l think see that you are WILING anu
anxious 10 do Justice TO every class Of citizens whe
or coored North South according 10 the best ihioiht
ton you can obtain VIII you listen TO the personal ''S.
mony can give 70 the present condition OF H'S ~
our unfortunate St;tcl As guarantee oil m| uus',
vorthiness viii mention that am clergyman ana
rector Of the Episcopal Church III TINS pl"oc Hu'
solemnly declare that will tell the truth INC "noo
truth and nothing but the truth, so help me Cod
have been resident Of Aiken between seven
and eight years. ] know Of the existence OF nut
one rife club in This place. II has Oeeh
in existence a long meonc or %o years. il not longer
Ihave never seen 1t drill parade on the streets or
elsewhere. I have heard Of It's taking part ID lDe
friendly contests at tnc SchuetzenfeSt aud have always
regarded II as social military organization. AMI not as
in any sense political There is also a colored militia
company in this place. Their public drills nave al uines
been daily and sometimes extended far into the night
The bout OF their a familiar sound On the l"'i'
inst came from Charleston to Aiken, returning rom
visit 70 the Centennial Exhibition SOW nothhS oS INC
wav which gave the slightest HUT such state OF
affairs as Is represented IN the letter styled southern
Campp At ono station I saw two colored men Win
arms in their hands At another Republican romina-
ting convention in session, was ioIi' hNti1 ~
pearauce was of profound peace. am wei acyutu gu
with nil the lending of this place, ana nave ire
nnen.ly COuVCrS,d with them about public aialfs lHci
r. mnch excitement ana enthusiasm over the approach
ing election but have heard such thllS az
general military organization hlned ny, OF Pti -
drive the coored people from the polls nave al"H!
understood the Object Of dividing time 10 De uot "
break up Republican meetings hut TO prevent ,he cur
roncy OF wild stories and 10 get the opportunity % u
dress the cOlorcd people , o,,.,rs with
lin TO the middle OF August, ana many 9lI'is Mn
whom talked were willing % accept Mt ChiHlo'Ii IN
rs tbe next Governor Of South Carolina; buJ slh't ~
no,nination OF HAMPTON his course has been thtfty
changed and he has been as ultra, paIu' t'u ,ii
A before he appeared TO he just, Impartial 'U C ",aO
in views Yon have Gen Hdmpi"hS SptttIc9'
counseng the preservation of peace az every sac
eVen Of life itself They have been well received anu
his advice will he ScrupulOusy ObeYC rs dWat.C
OF opinion regard the late outbreak al E"thtun ~
ont anv pOlcl significance; riot WhCh N3uu. NV
teIen Mace inst the amc there were no PrcSGcua OF
ofler election apprOachug. Many White men nave ucCH
arrested OF rather have given themselves uQ Oh nous
tbat they were wanted have heard OF NO arrests on Tue
other side The great OF the people. OOlh WHc
and colored are sincerely anxious Tor peace, anu uC
Glad Of the presence of troops which nsuits IT, I' lhIc
r. Inuch deprt sSDu among the Wnlcs because sVC'
IN thcm that ne whole machinery OF law ana govern
rnent Is pu at work to pcrpctu8tc that state OF hS'
which has given 20 South Carolina the name OF l ios
trate state 1 write this i'm the interest OF uulh tuC
neace desire sincerely the harnOnlZnS OF bIach ana
hite of North and South the equal and exact rights o
every citizen of every STATE. What we stand III ut' ~
hero il a Governor and Government not discriminating
ON account OF race color, previous cOnditOh O' pay!
inc "a much respect 20 the rights interests ana pros
SsrSy ,eesntct frijy EVERETT {. EDGERTON.
Is,