New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-04-03
CHAMBERLAIN'S LETTER.
LEY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUNE. |

WASHINGTON, April 2.-Ghe following is the text
of GOV. Chamberlain's letter to the President, re-
fcYred to in last nights dispatches
WASHINGTON, ID. c., March 81, 1877
To lis Ercclc,cy he President-SR: have been in
vtcd by Mr. EyartS 10 lay before my views of the
results to expected to follow the withdrawal OF the
United states forces stationed in the State House at
Cour.ba together with such statement of my reasons
therefor as may deem it proper to make BRIEF pre-
lmuury statement OF the circumstances under when
these forces station at the State House VIII be OF
service in responding the request In October in 1876
I made an official call upon the President fOr the
aid Of the United States suppressnc domestic violence
and iHsurrcction In response the President ordered
considerable number Of troops to various points within
The state Distributing them in such manner as Seemed
likely not only suppress the actual existing violence
and insurrecton but to prevent similar outbreak N
other localities The and objects Of the violence
now referred to were purely political. An effort had
been at that time made by the Democratic party to Sc
cure political control of the State by the use al physical
force and violence. large number of armed military
companies had been organized and made elective for
this work in violation of the laws OF the stat. To over
come the actual open violence inauguratcd by these
organizations and hold them in check pending the cleo
ton and thus fair expression OF The VIII OF
the people at the election in November was tie s0eoD
ect of my call upon the President and OF his action Ill
response.
Under these circumstances the election took place.
Unfortunately election did not close the political
struggle but rather intensified It, About the 25th Of
November last the Of the assembling Of the state
legislature deemed it my duty to call upon the Prcsi-
den TO assist in protecting the State Capitol against
the violence organizations already referred to, III
order TO permit the Legislature to assemble and organize
itself peacefully In response to this call the President
gave orders which resulted in statlOning small military
force in the House This force was shortly after
reduced company, numbering from II 10 20 men
The single object placing this force Ill the State House.
as well as sole which they served was to secure
the State Government and the Legislature against attack
and overthrow by the unlawful organizations already
described.
The effort to organize the House OF Representatives
resulted in the organization Of two houses one OF WHICH
remained the State House and, in conjunction with
the Senate formed the Legislature while the otdcr
occupied hall distance from the State House
The complete Legislature thus organized at the state
use in due course OF procedure canvasSed the votes
for Governor and Lieutenan Governor decarin: me TO
have been elected agreeably to the provisions OF the
State Constitution From that time until now the pres
ence of the United States troops at the State House mas
resulted in protecting the Legislature while 1t remained
in session. and the various state ocers asSoc'aeu WIN
me in the enjoyment their official rights and the dis
charge Of their official duties In the time my pres
emf connection for office OF Governor had rOceehed
under declaration OF his election maze by the housc Vi
Representatives, IN political utilization WIN hnae u
assume the Office of Governor and to exercise It's iuhc
Owing TO not requiring present sIdtcmcn''
mo settlement the conflicting claims to the once OF
covernor was made during the term OF your immediate
Predecessor: and thus after your accession TO the fe
dencv the conflict remained unsettled, and the Uhited
cotes forces at the State House were then ana are no"
discbareng the functions duty which have already
stated.
Prom what has now stated 1t follows that IN my
iud,oent the United states forces at the state House
orc te,e in pursuance and execution OF CONSTITUTIONS
t or nraece OF the Government of the United states
i its constitutional relations 10 the State of south caro-
lima They are there the protection OF 'he state Gov
eminent of which am the head against domesuc 'o-
lance and nsurrecon not fragrant hut hed III chech
only NV the presence OF the force referred TO- III INC
meantime the dispute respecting the once Oh
continues and no available power or mode OF set'hb
bas heen found Under these circumstances my oppo-
nents desire and demand the withdrawal OF the united
states force from the state House aud am invited 10
stat nv objections such action on the part OF your
Exceency 49,, .,o
NV first objection il that tie withdrawal OF these FORCES
from the State House would be withdrawal OF the sup
mort and aid against domestic violence by inc uoEci
nent of the United States to which the STATE anu the
s,ate Government which represent Is entted uhner
the Constitution and laws OF the United STATES Inc
claim here Id ade does not In my Judgment Involve an
assertion Of O claim 30 the permanent presence hu ~