Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-04-11
The South Carolina situation.

WASHINGTON, April 6.-When John
J. Patterson, the carpet-bag Senator
from South Carolina, called upon Gov.
Wade Hampton here the day after the
action in deciding to withdraw the troops
from the State House at Columbia, and
voluntarily promised his support IN
Hampton's effort to restore prosperity
to the people of the Palmetto State,
many democrats not only doubted the
sincerity ofhis promises. but were con
fident that they were made to divest
suspicion ofsome future game that was
to be played by the carpet-baggers.-
To-day this same heightened Senator
has declared to numerous republicans
that he does not acquiesce In the action
of the administration, and will wait
awhile to see the result Of certain
movements now in progress before
acknowledging Hampton as the Cover
nor of the State. -Four days ago both
Chamberlain and Patterson declared
unequivocally that the republican party
| in South Carolina was dead beyond
hope of resurrection, and that it was
folly any longer to resist the onward
march of General Hampton, but that it
twas eNpedient on the part OF the re-
publicans IN Columbia to make the best
| terms possible with him.
A change has come over their dreams
and the return of Chamberlain from
New York is followed by declarations
from the whole crew Of carpet-baggers
that as Hampton has pledged himself
mot to resort to force or violence to OBJ
tain control of the State House, Cham
berlain has decided not to Withdraw
with the troops, but to remain and con-
tinue to assert his claims as the legal
Governor of the State. In defiance OF
the popular will these men have reck-
lessly determined to throw further
obstacles in the path of Gen. Hampton.
and to refuse to surrender upthe records
Of the State until Legislature com
posed IN both branches Of majority of
members holding canvassing board
certificates declares Hampton to be the
legal Governor. Until this is done
Patterson asserts that Chamberlain will
hold on. and he congratulates himself
that Chamberlain will be able to control
all the republican members OF the State
Senate, so as to prevent a meeting OF
| the Legislature when called together by
Governor Hampton. By this means
Chamberlain expects to prevent any
recognition of Hampton. and to delay
action for some time. He declares that
until the Legislature decides between
HAMPTON. and himself that the courts
have no power or right to attempt to
eject him from the State House. and il
a process is served upon him he Will
dlsobey it.
Instead of returning to South Car
DINA and aiding Chamberlain in his
efforts to retain control Of the State
House. Patterson proposes to do all his
fighting from a Washington standpoint
"a safe distance. There are mysteri-
GUS whispers around that Chamberlain
is pursuing this course in accordance
with the advice Of some prominent re-
publican politicians with whom he mas
| been in correspondence. and who arc
extremely anxious to break down. il
possible. President Hayes's Southern
policy. 1t is asserted that Packard has
been in correspondence with Chamber.
lain, and that the latter is acting on this
proposed line of policy in expectation
that Packard will do something il
Louisiana that will put the present ad
ministration in an unpleasant fix, ant
possibly lead to change Of programme
Patterson, and Sheriff c. c. Bowen,
of Charleston, have been in enthusiastic
spirits over some communication made
to them last night at the conference
with Chamberlain. Bowen declares
frankly that if there had been the light
est intimation previous to the meetin
of the electoral college on the 9Th Of
fDecember that Hayes. would go back
on his friends in South Carolina in the
manner he has that he would not have
received single electoral vote from
that State; that every republican elee-
tor in the State would have voted fol
Tilden. and for so doing would have
received the Endorsement Of the republi-
can party in the State.