The Portland daily press., 1877-04-04
SOUTH CAROLINA.
The Order Withdrawing the
Troops Issued.
Wade HamptOn's Pledge 10 the
President.

WASHINGTON, April 3-The following letter
was written by the President aud sent to the
Secretary Of War today:
Washington, d. c., april Sd, 1S77.--Sir,
Prior to my entering, upon the duties of the
Presidency there had been stationed by order of
my predecessor, in the state house at Colum-
bia, South Caroline, a detachment of United
States infantry. Finding them in that place |
have thought proper to delay decision of the
question of their removal until could consider
and determine whether the condition of affairs
in that state is now such as to either require or
Justify the continued military occupation of the
state house. In my opinion there does not now
exist in that state sucn domestic violence, as is
contemplated by the constitution as the ground
upon which the military power of the national
government may be invoked for the defense of
the state. There are, it is true grave and Sc
rious disputes as to the rights of certain claim
ants to the chief executive Office of that state,
but these are to be settled and determined not
by the Executive of the United States, but by
such orderly and peaceful methods as may be
provided By the constitution and laws of the
state. / feel assured that no resort to violence
is contemplated in any quarter, but that on
the contrary the disputes 10 question are to be
settled solely by such peaceful remedies as the
constitution and law of the state provides.
Under these circumstances and in this con-
fidence now deem it proper to take action In
accordance with the principles announced When
1 er tered upon the duties of the Presidency.
GU are therefore QireCCtU UO SEE Uudb tuo pAou-
er orders are issued for the removal OF said
troops from the state house to their previous
place of encampment.
(Signed) r. b. HAYES.
To Hon. George W. McCrary, Secretary of
War.
The following letter was sent to Gen. Sher-
man this afternoon by the Secretary Of War:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
Washington, April
To General W. T. Sherman, Commanding the
United States Army:
General: enclose herewith COPY OF COM
munication from the President of the United
States, in which he directs that the detach-
ment of United States troops now stationed in
the state house at Columbia, S. c., be with
drawn and returned to their previous barracks
or camping ground. You are hereby charged
with the execution of this order and will cause
the withdrawal to take place on Tuesday next,
the 10th of April, at II o'clock meridian.
Very respectfully,
Your obedienJ servant,
GEORGE w. MCCRARY,
Secretary Of War.
The following is the letter of Gov. Hampton
to the President:
WIZARDS HOTEL,
Washington, March 81
To the President:-Sir: The result of the con-
ference to which you did me the honor to in
vite, has been to leave on my mind the convic,,
ton that you sincerely desire to see a peaceful
and just settlement of the questions which are
distractiug our people and injurng seriously
the material interests of our state, and trust
you are equally convinced of my earnest wish
to aid in accomplishing this happy end. AS
may net have the pleasure of seeing you again
on this subject, it may be proper to put before
you in the fullest and most definite forsu the
assurances given verbally.
I repeat, therefore; that if the federal troops
are withdrawn from the State House there
shall be ON my part or that of my friends no
resort to violence to assert our claims but that
we shall look for their maintenance solely to
such peaceful remedies as the constitution and
laws of the State provide. shall use all
my authority to repress the use or exhibition
of force in the settlement of all disputed
questions, and this authority shall be exercised
in such manner that the peace shall be pre-
served We only desire the establishment in
our state OF government, which shall assure
to every citizen, the lowest as well as the
highest, black as we'll as white, full and equal
protection in the enjoyment of all his rights
under the constitution of the United States.
No one can be more deeply impressed than
myself with the imperative necessity of
establishing cordial relations between
for it is only by these means that the true and
enduring welfare of the state can be secured.
With recognition of the perfect equality of
every citizen before the law, with just and
impartial administration of the laws, with
practically secure exercise of the right of suf-
frage and with system of public education
which will open sources of knowledge to all
classes, we may hope to see our state soon take
the position to which she is entitled. Ii was
the patriotic hope to aid in the accomplish
ment of these high aims that called me from
my retirement to become candidate for the
Office of Governor of South Carolina. 1t was
through the confidence of the people Of that
state that would honestly and faithfully car
~ out all these purposes that l was elected
their chief magistrate and 1 feel profoundly
that peace can be surely preserved there and
property restored by assuring our people that
the right of local self government as promi-
nently brought forward in your inaugural and
SO favorably received by the whole country is
to be promptly carried out as the rule of your
administration. I anticipate the ready fulfill
ment of the just and reasonable hopes inspired
by the announcement of the policy you have
unfolded, policy which found a responsive
echo in every patriotic heart as Indicating a
purpose to administer the government in the
true spirit of the constitution.
In conclusion permit me to assure you that
feel the strongest confidence that the wise and
patriotic policy announced in your inaugural
will as soon as it takes shape in action, pro-
dnce such fruits that the whole country will
enjoy the blessings of peace, prosperity and
harmony. Thanking you, sir, for the courtesy
you have extended to me, and with my coed
wishes
[ am very respectfully,
Your obedent servant,