The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-03-30
WASHINGTON.
Gov. Hnmpton's Interview with the Pres
idenf.

To the PreStdent:-Slr:-ln compliance with
your invitation l am here, for the purpose of
uniting my efforts with you to the end OF COM
posing the oliticai differences which now un-
happily distract the people of South Carolina.
L Deg you to believe that my anxiety 10 prog
about permanent pacification IN that state, a
pacifica'ion in which the rights OF all shall be
safe and the interests of all shall be protected
is as sincere as feel assured is your own for
the accomplishment of the same ends. My
position for wears in reference to the political
rights of the colored citizens and my solemn
pledge given during the late CANVASS in South
Carolina that under 10Y administration all
their rights should be absolutely secure
should furnish sufficient guarantees of my sin
ceritv on these points which appear to be the
subject of special anxiety. L have the honor to
ask at what hour il would be your pleasure to
receive me.
am, sir, very truly yours,
(Signed) WADE HAMPTON,
Governor of South Carolina.
The President returned an Immediate answer
by Col Rodgers, his private secretary, and
Hampton accompanied by Senator Gordon and
Conner visited the President at one o'clock.
Wade hampton, companied by Gordon and
Conner, had an interview with the President
this afternoon. The conversation related pri-
marily to the question as to the probable condl-
ton of the Stats in case the troops are with
drawn The points urged by Hampton and his
friends were as follows:
action, as the planting interests of South Caro-
lima are in absolute danger of destruction by
reason of the present unsettled state of affairs.
The labor system is now IN process OF disinte-
grafton, and although the season for planting
is already at hand, planters are unaole as here
fore to OBTAIN advances of money from mtr-
chants and factors, and this disastrous coudi-
ton of affairs, they said, will continue till some
stable system of govern ment is established. In
short, business is paralyzed and credit almost
entirely destroyed throughout the State, in con.
sequence of its present unsettled condition.
Another reason for speedy action urged by these
gentlemen is that carpet baggers" and others
interested in the perpetuation of Chamberlain
rule were constantly melting riots and disaffec-
ton, aud the most asSiduous care and fOrbear-
ance had to be exercised to prevent open
breaches of the peace the ever-preSent danger
being that they might become general through
out the State. Instances and illustrations of
this precarious condition of affairs were pre-
scented to the President with some particularly
and in detail.
The remainder of the conversation was
mainly devoted to the question, as to what
would be the probable condition of affairs
should the troops be withdrawn from the states
and what line of policy Hampton inteaded to
pursue in that event. On these points the
President was assured that there would be no
effort to seize the Capital by mob violence, and
that only legal processes will be resorted to by
Hampton to establish the supremacy of his
government. No formal pledges were asked or
given during the interview, but Hampton en-
phatically repeated the statements he has here
tofore made that he possesses both the purpose
and power to protect all persons and classes
alike in their legal and constitutional rights.
The President in reply stated substantially that
it was his purpose to carry out in good faith
the promises of the inaugural address as he was
deeply anxious to bring peace and quiet to the
distracted portions of the country, and he was
pd rQSnt wOnl6 N
very short time.
During the entire conversation, which lasted
several, hours there was no discussion of
Chamberlaiu's right or title to the governor
ship and nothing was said which contemplated
his continuance in office, the conversation be-
ing almost altogether based upon the assump-
tion of the withdrawal of federal troops and
the REIMBURSEMENT of the legal questions at
issue to the state courts. Hampton and his
friends say they were greatly pleased and en-
couraged by the interview, and this evening
feel con fdent that South Carolina will soon be
relieved of its present difficulties.
Hampton dined with Secretary Evarts this
evening, and subsequently was visited at his
hotel by Secretary Schurz, with whom he had
a long conversation concerning the political
situation in South Carolina.
Charleston Delegation States tbs situa-
ton.
The committee of the Charleston Chamber of
this evening They read to him an address
setting forth that South Carolina was an agri-
cultural state, upon agriculture all depended,
yet the plantations everywhere are cultivated
half less than last year. The laborers are will
ing to work, but capitalists are unable to give
the planters means to employ them, so that
the blacks and whites alike are affected. If
Hampton was recognized confidence would be
restored, money employed and all the trades
revived, but it not soon done it would be too
late. The interests of the whites and blacks
are the same and under Hampton all the con-
ditions and aims OF the Presidents address will
be satisfied and peace, happiness, religion and
pepy prevail everywhere.
Mr.. Adger then insisted on the necessity of
immediate action and invited MI Tuppe-,
President of the Chamber of Commerce, to
communicate his views as to the great detri-
ment being done to the State by the present de-
lay
Mr.. Upper thereupon set forth the languish-
ing condition of business growing out of the
uncertainty of political affairs and insisted as a
representative of the commercial interests that
nothing but absolute and universal recognition
of Hampton as governor could give peace and
progress to the state.
Mr.. Pelger said his firm had been induced by
conditions of affairs to be unusually cautious
in making advances to planters, and that in
bis opinion HamptOn's administration could
give peace and ultimate prosperity to the
states.
Mr. Smith ssaid the banking capital of
Charleston was not more than one-fifth of
what it was before the war, and nevertheless,
such was the present want of confidence that
even limited capital could not be loaned out
satlsfacti only, and that settlement of the
political troubles would harmonic the two
races and restore confidence to the whole
people.
Louis d. De Saussure argued that the char
acter OF the disturbance in the state required
an immediate remedy, and demonstrated that
Hampton was ,lared Governor by the only
body capable of that act. large majority of
the judges in the state had so decided and
Hampton was gradually absorbing the whole
power in the state as evidenced by the payment
OF the voluntary tax for the support of public
institutions. In conclusion he said: "The
people would accept no other COVE rnment than
Hampton's. II was that or a territorial condi.
ton in South Carolina"
The President said it might have been sup
posed that he could have acted earlier, but he
could not acs until his constitutional advisers
had been appointed and when appointed he and
they were obliged TO give attention to the va
cancles held to exist in the civil service Most
OF such vacancies, it waa found, could lie over
and his successor would not be embarrassed as
he was. He had now reached South Carolina,
and was confident that his ultimate purposes
We're the same as those of the committee He
had invited Hampton and Chamberlain to
Washington as persons most likely to give an
Iut0IIRtut StdGeuenI OI aualrS, ana he was
confident satisfactory solution would be
found
The whole interview was very pleasant, and
the committee was received with marked cour-
tesy by the President. In the course of the
interview Mr.. Upper asked the President if he
apprehended any difficulties or disorder in the
State. The President said he was glad to say
that he had no such fear. Mr.. Upper then
asked if there was any reason for executive
Interference to keep the peace and order in
South Carolina. The President aughingly
said he could not answer such pointed ques.
tons
No Order for the Withdrawal of the
Troops.
On inquiry at the executive mansion tonight
it was positively ascertained that there is no
truth whatever in the report telegraphed hence
that the President has directed an order to be
issued Withdrawing troops from Columbia, and
1t Can be further stated, on same authority,
that as both Governors have now been heard.
no executive action will be taken till after the
most deliberate consideration.
Court Martial
The proceedings and findings of the general
court martial before which Capt. Alexander
Moore of the Sd Cavalry, was tried at CHEYENNE.
Wyoming Territory, for dsobedience of orders
and violation of the 42d article of war, misbe-
havior before the enemy, and cowardice have
been submitted to the President The court
found him not guilty of charges preferred, but
guilty of conduct TO tbs prejudice of good
I'd md ,l;,,o