Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-04-11
rHE STATE.

that South Carolina was yesterday
restored to the Union, and hence
forth will be permitted to control
her own affairs the same as Tennes-
see, Missouri, Connecticut, Rhode
Island, or any other State. But
for the unwarrantable use of troops
upon the call Of Governor Cham
berlain last fall Hampton's title to
the office he holds would never
have been questioned, and Tilden
would have been President. In
Withdrawing the troops Mr.. Hayes
does a bare act Of justice, and an
nounces that he will not be gov
erned by the unconstitutional
methods and precedents of his pre-
d~ecessor in office. This much can
be said to his credit, and in it we
see reason to hope for a solution OF
other evils that exist and to feel
greatly encouraged in regard to the
future of the country. That a
Democratic majority of a quarter
of a million and the pressure of a
better class of Northern Repub-
licans, who have long been sick
of carpet-bag governments, have
had much to do with this
slow conclusion, we have little
doubt. South Carolina has suffered
more than any other State. Her
people were unjustly regarded as
the greatest offenders in bringing
on the war, and punishment was
visited upon them by the conqueror
in proportion. They were as true
and sincere a people as ever lived,
and under the teachings Of Cal
houn, and the circumstances by
which surrounded, could never
have been any thing else than what
they were-nullifers and secession
lists. They braved all, endured all,
for what they regarded as true
principles, and surely their punish
ment has been great enough. Their
poverty is to-day a melancholy
spectacle = enough to touch the
hearts of their bitterest enemies.
In their suffering and dependency
they have never surrendered their
manhood, lost hope, or forgot self
control. When Chamberlain was
elected in 1874 he gave promise Of
bringing about a better state Of
affairs; and really no charge Of
personal corruption was ever
brought against him. He won
the confidence of the people only
10 betray it. An educated, able
and accomplished man, he seemed
capable of accomplishing great
good, but subsequent events proved
that he was a two-iaced adventurer,
seeking for power and aspiring to
a seat in the United States senate.
When the crisis came he took sides
with the worst enemies Of the State.
When the unfortunate Hamburg
affair occurred he charged it to the
account Of the whole white popu-
lation and denounced them as red
handed ~assassins. This breach of
faith, this %cowardly, wanton attack
upon a people who had trusted in
his honor, was eventually his own
destruction. They united as one
man under the leadership of the
gallant Wade Hampton and carried
the State in spite of troops and all
the outside pressure hat the Re-
publican party and the government
could bring to bear. Hampton
proved to be one of the greatest
men of the times. His equal has
not appeared in politics North or
South since the war. His simplicity
Of manner, GOODNESS and far-reach-
ing sagacity proclaim him to be no
common man. He is the idol Of
the people and will go down
in history as their deliyerer
His boldness struck terror tC
the Republican heart. He made
no concealments, spoke his MIND
freely, and planting himself upon
truth and the justice of a common
cause, said: "By the eternal, !
viii be governor, or give you a mill
tary government" He wrote {
courteous, but firm, open letter t
both Hayes and Tilden before i
was decided which would be Presi