National Republican., 1877-11-23
south Carolina Guarantees.

CHARLESTON, S. C., Nov. 10, 1877.
Two lines in the Ne,ns and Courier informs
the public that "the men who murdered James
Ledford, ut Laudrum city, In juno, have been
acquitted" Such record will not attract the
sttention OF dozen readers, and yet no better
indication can he given OF the real state of So
ciety In Wade lIampton's kingdom.
In May last James Ledford, rs Deputy United
States Marshal, arrested an illici. whiskey dis
tiller near Blockhouse, in Spartanburg County.
He thereby incurred the enmity Of the Moon
sinners" who infest that mountain section. In
June the people of Spartanburg were invited
toattend an auction sale Of lots In the newly
aid-Out Laudrum city.
A cheap train took up four or Ave hundred
persons. Among them was LedfOrd. Scarcely
had he left the cars when he was insulted and
dared to fight by some Of the "Moonshiners.'
The annoyance continued during the whole
day, but Ledford avoided difficulty by every
means in his power. When the train was
ready to start back to Spartanburg in tho
afternoon, he took seat on an open fat car
with forty or fifty others who were crowded
out of the regular passenger cars. When his
enemies saw that he was about to escape. they
made rush for him, pulled him from the car
shot him in the back and side, stabbed and cut
him In many places, and finally
STAMPED THE HEAD AND FACE
| OIL tue uN1tlR man Out Ot TCtOkulliUu Inns
took place in the presence Of four hundred
men, drawn from the ranks Of "our best citi-
zens." Among these best citizens was n
| Hampton magistrate, the sheriff Of the county
and two of his deputies. Not the slightest ef-
| fort was made to interfere for Ledford's pro-
lection. The seven men engaged In the muir
der cody went to their horses, mounted and
rode away, no one molesting them or attempt
ing an arrest. Tho deed was done in open
day. The murderers were known by name to
a hundred people present. Ledford was also
well and favorably known, except for his
connection with the enforcement Of Federal
laws.
After long delay the mu-derers were ar
rested they were tried, II that Is trial
where prosecutor, judge, and jury are met
only to register the verdict of a community.
The result was fsrcical prosecution, a feeble
| charge, and an immediate verdict of mot
guilty" amidst the applause Of the large
crowd of spectators.
Not less than ten men have lost their lives
at the hands of violatos Of the internal rev.
| enuc laws in South Carolina during the past
two years without single case Of punish
mcnt and yet nowhere have the Federal laws
been executed in so merciful spirit.
The truth is that the native white people o
South Carolina resent the enforcement OF the
internal revenue laws as Federal oppression
They look upon them as Yankee invention
TO MAKE OUR people, PAY
the Northern war debt. The mountaineers be
leved that Hampton's election would give
them free whisky again, and they are fercei
than ever now in their disappointment. Tn,
most respectable merchants connive atevasioni
of the tax law, aud share in the profits of illici
whisky and tobacco Public sentiment sane
tioning such law-breaking, detection and
conviction brings no disgrace while Federa
officials are denounced In the press and OH tn,
streets AZ spies, oppressors, and enemies Of thu
State. Every engine Of the State law is uset
!, to harrass and deter them in the execution o
their duty, while State courts everywhere
from Judge to jury, are used to protect thos'
who resist the collection of Federal imposts.
At the bottom Of this state Of public feelini
lies the inherent disloyality of South Carolini
to the Federal Union. Did Hampton and hi
, cohorts really feel respect for the Constitu
: tion and laws Of the United States, Fedora
taxes would be collected with no more troubl
than In Vermont. Whereas, II the expenses o
arrests, trials, and imprisonments, were to b
added TO the ordinary expenses Of collection
/ would doubtless be found that tho interna
: revenue laws of South Carolina cost more thai
thew DrOduce