Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1877-04-05

|
lutte and universal recognition Of Hampton, as
Governor, could give peace and progress to the
State.
Mr. F. j. Pelzer said that his firm had been in
duced by the condition of affairs to be unusually
cautious in making advances to planters, and that
| in his opinion Hampton's administration could
give peace and ultimate prosperity to the state;
Mr.. w. B. Smith followed and said that the
| banking capital of Charleston Is not more than
one-fifth of what 1t was before the war, and new
ertheless such was the present want of confidence
that even that limited capital could not be loaned
out satisfactorily, and that the settlement OF our
| political troubles would harmOniZe the two races
and restore lost confidence to the whole people
| Capt Louis D. DeSaussure then explained the
character of the disturbances in the State as re,
quiring immediate remedy, and demonstrated
that Hampton had been declared Governor by the
only body capable of that act A large majority
of the judges IN the State had so decided, and
Hampton was gradually absorbing the whole
power in the State, as was evidenced by the pay
ment of the voluntary tax, the support of public
institutions, &C. In conclusion, he said that the
people would accept no other government than
that of Hampton's. 1t was either that or terri
torial condition for Carolina.
| The President said that it might have been sup
posed that he could have acted earlier, but he
could not act until his constitutional advisers had
been appointed, and when appointed he and they
were obliged to give attention to vacancies held
to exist in the civil service. Most of such vacan-
cies it was 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 were the same as those
of the committee. He had invited Hampton and
Chambera to Washington as the persons most
likely to be able to give an intelligent statement
of affairs, and he was confident that satisfactory
solution would be found.
The whole interview was very pleasant, and
the committee were received with marked c0ur-
tesy by the President.
In the course of the interview, Captain Tupper
asked the President if he apprehended any diff
| n,,1k ksanN lionrI int fha Sfofn
The President said he was glad to say that he
| had no such fear.
Capt Tupper then asked if there was any rea-
son for Executive interference to keep peace in
Carolina.
The President, laughingly said that he could
not answer such pointed questions.
| Governor Hampton, Senator Gordon and At
torney-General Conner met the President at !
o'clock according to appointment and lunched
with him at o'clock.
| In the afternoon the same parties had an inter-
view with the President by appointment. The
conversation was of free and general character.
It related primarily to the question to the prob
able condition of the State in case the troops
should be Withdrawn. The points urged by Gov.
Hampton and his friends were follows:
| First, they claimed that there is an imperative
necessity for speedy action, as the planting inter-
ests of South Carolina are in absolute danger of
destruction by reason of the present unsettled
state of affairs, the labor system being now in
process of dsintegration, and although the season
unable, as heretofore to obtain advances of mon
ey from merchants and factors, and this disas-
trous condition of affairs they said, would contn-
lie until some stable system of government shall
have been established. In short, business Is par.
alyzed and credit almost entirely destroyed
throughout the State in consequence of its pres
ent unsettled condition.
Another reason for speedy action urged by these
gentlemen was that "carpet- -baggers," and others
interested in the perpetuation ofthe Chamberlain
rule, were constantly melting riots and disaffec-
| ton, and the most assiduous care and forbearance
! had to be exercised to prevent open breaches of
the public peace the ever present danger being
| that they might become general throughout the
State. Instances and illustration of this precari-
Gus condition of affairs were presented to the
| President with some particularly and detail.
The remainder of the conversation was mainly
directed to the questions as to what would be the
probable condition of affairs if the troops should
be withdrawn from the State House, and what line
Of policy Coy. Hampton intended to pursue in
that event. On these points the President was
assured that there would be effort to seize the
Capitol by mob violence and that only legal pro-
cesses would be resorted to by GOV. Hampton TO
formal pledges were asked or given during the
interview, but Gov. Hampton emphatically re-
peated the statements he has heretofore made,
that he possesses both the purpose and the power
to protect all persons and classes alike in their le
gal and constitutional rights. The President, in
reply, stated substantially that it his purpose
to carry out, in good faith, the promises of his
| inaugural AQQToSS, aS Ue was ueeply aHtlouS W
bring peace and quiet to the distracted portions of
| the country, and he was satisfied that the result
would be attained in very short time. During
the entire conversation, which lasted several
hours, there was no discussion of Chamberlan's
| right or title to the Governorship, and nothing
was said which contemplated his continuance in
office the conversation being almost altogether
| based upon the assumption Ofa withdrawal OF the
Federal troops and the REIMBURSEMENT of the le-
gal questions at issue to the State Courts. Gov.
| Hampton and friends say they were great pleased
and encouraged by the interview, and this evening
feel confident that the State of South Carolina will
be relieved of its present political and indus
| trial difficulties
Both Governors now having been heard, no ac-
ton will be taken until after most mature con-
sideration. This is authortatvely stated, in con-
tradicton of reports that action had been taken
to-day, (the 29th.)
A dispatch of the 30th says, that on that
day the Charleston committee resolved them
selves into several subcommittee, and pro-
ceeded to visit the several secretaries At
torney- General Devens was polite and non
committal. Secretary Evsrts read to them
dispatch received from the leading bankers of
New York, including Brown Bros, Fry, of
the Bank of New York, Sherman, of the
Merchants Bank, Coe, of the Bank Of North
America, and j. J. Stewart. They urge that
the most favorable consideration be given to
the Charleston committees views, and say
that if time had permitted, they would have
had the dispatch very generally signed.
Evarts, in conversation, said distinctly, that
when the President was prepared to act he
would do so on his own responsibility, not
seeking to place any part Of the burden on
the representatives of either side and the
parties they represent. Secretary Sherman
talked very freely. He said that the Presi-
dent would, of course, make the decision in
the South Carolina case, but the hope was to
relieve the State of one of two Governors in
such peaceful manner as to insure peace and
the absolute enjoyment of the rights of the
colored people. Much stress was laid on this
point.
Postmaster. General Key was cordial in his
reception of the subcommittee, and said that
he had no reason to be discouraged. He un-
derstood the condition Of affairs, and the need
of immediate action. Secretary Thompson
was most uncompromising in the expression
of his opinion that the Federal government
had no right to intervene in South Carolina,
and that the State should be left absolutely
free to settle her own disputes, under her own
laws and in her own way. Secretary Schurz
was extremely cordial and liberal in all he
said.
The Cabinet, in session of three hours to-
day, fully discussed the South Carolina ques-
ton No vote was taken, but the expression
of opinion of the different members showed
that on division, the majority would be in
favor of the immediate withdrawal of the
troops from the State House.
Hampton wrote letter to the President
tonight saying that he might not have an
opnortunitv TO see him again, and assuring