The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-01-24
Hear ;. Both Si1Bs.-.2l3n Decide.
Hampton and TiIdcn.
"A TILDEN DEMOCRAT" THROWS
A BOMB AT HAMPTON AND
TIE SOUTH CAROLINA
DEMOCRACY.
GEN. MCGOWAN AND col. HAS
kELL ATTACK AND DEMOA-
ISL THE ASSAILANT.
I"
Truth is Mighty and Will Prevail.
The Letter Of ssa Tildcn Democrct.o

cratic press do n0tSccln to know what to
mako Of Judge Il. }. Mackey's recent
visit TO the republican candidate for tho
presidency, and Of the extraordinary
contamination which he bore from the
elected governor Of South Carroll
M. ] have observed, also, that southern
journalists seem To he equally as much be-
logged on this subject as their brethren
of tho north, and tllat even South CARROLL
Ia editors either do not know, Or else
have derlincd to give, the true solution of
Il mystery moro apparent than real.
and southern newspapers
btssage, the embasidor and tic
document which he bore rs Il
upon the part OF Governor
Hampton. Northern and southern mcm-
bers OF congress. and democratic politi-
clans generally, have dcplorcd tho act us
one calculated to injurc tho democratic
party and to weaken tho chances Of the
Inauguration Of Tilden. They have said
That it seemed an admission by prOmi-
ncnt southern democratic lcaucr-Ole
who had just fought and Won q desperate
battle in Il state long considered hopeless
" rcp~ublican-that TIC national demo-
cratic ticket had boon defeated, and that
the republican candidate was tho legally
elected president of the United States,
and az such came at q most inopportunc
time and had done much mischief. The
Louisville Couricr-Journal, II Of the
leading democratic papers of the west,
whose editor is generally supposed to DO
high in the confidence of Governor Til
den. declares that the lottcr ''icll like a
wei blanket on the democrats in Wash
ington City, 1t says Gen. HIamptOn's
southern friends and admirers arc deeply
mortified at the step he has taken. The
opinion of the best observers is that the
situation is rendered deeply critical by
these ~uttcrances, and so far from the pros
pcct Of 4 collision being lcssened by lot
The republicans are justly encouraged
York World has been equally outspoken
injurious in its effects. Tho New York
Herald said the letter ''added to the de-
moralization of the democrats" and
that if Hampton could obtain the recog-
milton Of his state government he would
not object to the inauguration of Hayes
us the price Of such recognition. Scna-
tor Robertson, in the published report of
his interview with a reporter of tho New
York Herald, went quite as far as this, if
not farther. "TIe democrats in South
Carolina" he said "would have preferred
the election Of Tildcn, but were not UNI
willing to consent to the election of Hay
cS, provided they could get an honest
democratic government in their own
state" And again: ain his campaign
speeches Hampton told all to vote for
HAYES and Wheeler who wanted to. He
put the question of who should he presi-
dent away behind tho question Of the adj
ministration Of state affairs" AS the re-
port of this interview was published in
tho New York Herald, of December 80,
and has not been contradictcd, it is but
fair TO assume that Senator Robertson
spoke the truth. l make these PREDATORY
statements for the purpose of showing
that the Mackcy embassagc has done
harm to the democratic cause, and that
northern and southern journals have not
attempted to give any explanation Of an
act from which have resulted such unfor-
tunate consequences. The generally re-
ceived opinion seems to be.that it was an
error Of Judgment that General Hamp-
ton was deceived by tho wiles Of Mackoy,
and let his solicitude for his state betray
him into an act which he would not other
wise have committed. Even in this view
of the case it is considered an egregious
mistake, because most men arc confident
that As soon as Tilden is inaagurated the
bavoncts will be Withdrawn from Louisi-
n and South Carolina, and the bogus
governments of those states will fall to
the ground beneath the weight Of their
own corruption /; that if Hayes be do
clarcd elected president, Chamberlain
and Packard will be declared legal COVER
nors and kept by federal powcrin the po-
sitions which they have usurped. 1t has
also been said that Mackey exceeded his
instructions and Inadc representations
which he had no authority for making,
But as Gen. Hampton has not r~cpudiatcd
any act or deed Of his envoy, though re-
qucstcd to do so, this position seems
scarcely tenablc. From information
given to me recently, and which I have
reason to believe is entirely trustworthy,
il seems that General Hampton knew OK
activ what he was doing when he dis
the latter did and said nothing not war
rantch by his principal. I do not mean
to be understood as-saying that General
Hampton is indifferent to the success OF
the national democracy ; but if what
hear be true, he was by no e an Gu
thusiastic supporter Of Tildcn, and IL not
unwilling to conccdc the election OF
Hayes, provided the latter will recognize
the conservative state government Of
South Carolina
TIE ST. Louis CONVENTION.
1t is necessary to go back n little and to say
something OF events which TRANSFERRED priol
to General Hamrton'S election last NOvcm'
Der. 1t Is we'll known that last spring there
was a Formidable faction in South Caroline
in favor of the nomination or endorsement
nf ('h IN IprlIin on a reform Dl1ffurm- Inl
ChuricSton Neus and Courier strenuously adj
vocatcd such q course, and II the lead
ing politicians OF the State supported tho
policy proposed by that paper. THO
.stra!ghtout" movement, as it Is termed
which eliminated In the election OF n demo
cratic governors and n democratic Legislature
last November, originated. II I am not mista'
ken, I'm the counties OF Edgcficld and Ander
son, and General NJ. Z. Butler, Of Edgefield
carly in the spring, nominated Genera
Hampton MS q suitable candidate for COVER
nor. General Hampton had recently return
ed from his Mississippi plantation, and u
was believed that he would not refuse to
make the fight against Chamberlain. An
other wing OF tho South Carolina Denocra-
cy were in favor Of q stEaightnut Campaign
but opposed to the nomination of Genera
Hampton. because they did not believe him
conservative enough to win he battle
Among these Ii was said were General John
Bratton, General John ID. Kennedy and Col
oncl james II. Rion, and perhaps Colonc
James a.. lIoyt. The gentlemen 10 the st
Louis convention, and the first named was
chosen chairman Of the South Carolina dele
cation. AT 81. Louis the delegation mctColo
mel rcltrn, Il nephew of Governor Tilden
and one of the active, though quiet, Organi
gers OF that gentlcnian'S political campaign
While in ST Louis it is understood that Soul
Carolina politics wee fully discussed by tho
delegation with Colonel Prlton. And tlla,
the latter gentleman strongly advised
| against the nomination OF General Halnp.
ton. He urged that some man of less promi
nrncc and Of more known conservative
vie VS., should be selected as the candidate
and said that the nomination OF Hampton
would injure the party ut the North. 1t wa,
generally recognized that the candidacy q
| Hampton would be distascful to Governo
Tildcn. because the latter feared it woult
work mischief to the national democracy.
II COLUMBIA CONVENTION.
In the meantime General Gary and other
had continued 10 urge the nomination 0
Hampton upon the people OF the state, an,
the idea took SO well that 1t soon became ap
parent the movement would become sue
cessiul In spite Of the strenuous opposition
which the scheme encountered. Hc had in
timatcd II willingness to run, and his higl
personal character and brilliant mililar,
record made him II favoritc with the people
When the State. Democratic convention as
seInblcd in Columbia in June, II was evidon
that Hampton was the strongest candidat
bcforei 1t. Governor Tilden, however, had no
abandoned his opposition to this candidacy
and was represented in Columbia during tn,
session OF the convention by Colonel Coylt
OF Washington city. This gentleman confer
red with the most prominent OF the dele
| gates, and, In the name OF his chief, warml,
| demonstrated against the propriety and poll
cy of the proposed step. 1t was explained l.
him that Governor 1ilden was entirely lnis
taken in his estimate OF IialnptOn'S charac
-. ,i.,, Tho l,ffop i,Sf nn,1 ff I..inU on plfr