Daily press and Dakotaian. [volume] (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1875-1880, 1877-12-06
HAMBURG MASSACRE BUTLER
His Connection with that Horrible Grim,
The Kind Of Man Democratic Sem
.tore naauht tn Honor

His Connection With that Horrible Crime
The Kind Of Man Democratic Sem
ators Delight to Honor.
From the New York Times.
1t NAV not be amiss at this time to recall
one or two incidents in the life of Gen. NJ.
c. Butler, Of South Carolina, who, through
the treachery of man seeking immunity
from legal prosecution, is now endeavoring
to obtain seat in the United States senate.
Prior to the month of July, 1876, he had
not been heard of outside Of his own state,
and even there he was known simply as one
of the worst "last ditchers" in 'unrecon-
structed Edge6eld." He was not satisfied
with such obscurity, however, and, finding
no legitimate way to make himself notori-
ous, he assumed command of the Hamburg
White League that butchersd dozen or 80
unofending black men, and at once became
know all over the nation as Hamburg Mas
sacre Butler" The details of the manner
in which he obtained this proud distinction
ought to be sufficiently familiar to the Amer
ican people, but as it is possible that they
have been lost sight of in these days of rec.
onciliation and universal good will" it will
not be out of place at this time to briefly
review them.
On the Fourth of July, 1876, . company
Of black militia, regularly organized under
the laws Of the state and under the command
Of officers duly commissioned by Daniel H.
Chamberlain, the legally elected and then
universally recognized governor Of South
Carolina. met to celebrate the day. In all
the town of Hamburg they were the only
men who showed any desire to do 80 They
carried the flag of the union at their head
but nowhere else Cd the E. Ergefeld shore, and
not even in the populous citv Of Augusta, or
the opposite side of the river, were any
signs Of the national banner to be seen
While they were thus celebrating the birth
day of their country, two of The unrecon
structed gentlemen who are now su posed
10 be "reconciled," rode through the mair
st. eet of Hamburg. One Of them was near
ly related to Gen. Butter, and as has beer
sworn to by competent witnesses, they were
both drunk. Filled with that courage which
comes from much corn whisky, they drove
straight up to the militia company, and
though there was ample room for them te
pass on either side, insolently demanded
it break ranks to let them go by. The Cap
to comply, and, seeing that discretion va,
went their way without further trouble
obliged to yield to band Of "niggen," and
with many good ''last ditch' oath they
vowed they would be revenged. To this
end they secured the services of Gen. NJ. C
Butler, who was commissioned to prosecute
and secure the punishment
of the leading men of the
militia company for obstructing the streets.
he did the work assigned to him, but no,
according to the generally recognized mode
Of legal procedure. It il true that warrants
were duly issued for all the prominent citi.
zens who had dared to parade on the Fourth
but the real object Of the proceedings, VA
not revealed till some days after, when il
was intimated to the black men that they
could only escape punishment by giving uI
their arms-state arms, it will be remember
ed, duly issued to regularly enlisted men
and disbanding their organization. Thil
the members of the company positively re
fused to do, and fearing for their lives, u
we'll they might, number of them cam.
together to consult a. to what course i,
would be best for them to pursue. Hearing
Of their meeting, Gen. Butler declared, with
quite - much profanity a he is reported
to have recently used in addressing Senator
Patterson, that ''the niger militia business
had gone far enough, and would have to b,
stopped" Then, - has been sworn to by ,
dozen witnesses, reported in the democrat,
papers Of both Georgia and South Carolina
and never been denied, he rode over to Au
gusta and told number of what are callet
in the south "the best young men" that b,
mightneed their service and their guns
They were only to ready TO aid him, ant
soon large party Of Georsaans had joinet
the South Carolina company already q
somblsd
ofcourse, they came together to defsnt
their homes there never was similal
meeting held in The south which was no
avowedly for that purpose. They wer,
afraid ofs negro uprising, at least they
said they were, and to avert the threatnei
danger they proceeded to building IL
which the score or 20 Of unfortunate coIorsl
militismsn were trembling for their livss
and with rife and fsld canuoa bsRan 70 Or,
into i A isv Of IL nsgroo rstusnsd u,
! AFs, bst nsa of th@ bssks hsa ~ hses,