The Grange advance. [volume] (Red Wing, Minn.) 1873-1877, 1877-04-04
Letters from the Rival Governors Of
South Carolina.
Chamberlain 10 Stanley Matthew's.

zs.s wi UMB1A, q. VI, MdTcn &, 1851.
My DEAR SIR: Your note of the
18th inst. was handed to me last even
ing by Col. Haskell. feel grateful
for the interest you; manifest in public
welfare here, as we'll as my personal
good. To give you my views of the
situation here and my duty in cOnnec-
tion Herewith with any thing ap-
preaching fullness would require con-.
versation. / can only say here in SUBJ
stance that [ am wholly unable to see a
line Of conduct on my part consistent
with personal honor or public duty
which would permit me to yield my
claims to the g0vernorship. am
equally unable to see any course which
can be pursued by the national admin
istration toward the government here
which represent, consistent with p0-
litical or constitutional duty, which
will not require it to support against
violence, Or overthrow the lawful re-
publican government. certainly
wish most devoutly that could relieve
myself Of this duty. I have been ex-
posed to personal danger by day and
night constantly for five full months,
and [ am wearied to death, but there
are one or two things .dearer to me
than comfort or life. One is my hon
or as public man, and another is my
duty to the Republicans Of this State.
Neither of these in my judgment.
would permit me to accept any accom-
mediation or compromise which was
not forced upon me by a power which
it would be idle for me to resist.
l desire to aid and relieve President
Hayes, but this is a life or death strug-
gle, and [ know that [ should consign
myself to infamy in the eyes of all
Republicans here, who know the, sit
uation by fearful experience, if were
to accept any terms or do any act
which could result in the success of
the monstrouS conspiracy against law
and humanity which the democracy OF
this State embody and represent,
There are better ways than this to con-
cilitate and pacify the SOUTH Let the
present administrations, while firm.
ly standing by law and fight for the
Republicans, manifest spirit of char
ity and sympathy for our opponents
here as countrymen and citizens in the
thousand way open to an administra-
ton, and peace will come and will
abide. The peace Of justice and law is
the only peace worth fighting for. TO
permit Hampton to reap the fruits of
a campaign Of murder and fraud SO
long as there remains power to pre-
vent it, is to sanction such methods.
All this l say, my dear sir, with feel
ings of profound respect for you, but
as in duty bound to declare the truth
as understand it. Of one thing am
sure, neither you, nor any other man
moved by a sense Of justice, can un-
derstand the situation here and be will
ing for any political advantage or free
dom from embarrassment to abandon
the Republicans to the fate that awaits
them whenever Hampton becomes un-
disputed governor of this State. [
despair Of being able to set our case in
true light before those who have had
no such experience, but I do feel that
if I had the privilege of personal con-
versation I could do much more to-
ward it. havewritten hurriedly land
beg that you will believe me to be
yours, very truly.
D. II. CHAMBERLAIN.