The Portland daily press., 1877-03-27
Chamberlain to Matthews.
Gov. Chamber iain's Response TO Stanley
Matthew'S Letter of the 4th Instant.

Gov. Chamber iain,s Response TO Stanley
Matthew'S Letter Of the Ath Instant.
NEW YORK, March 25.-[Special despatch
to the New York Times. The following letter
from Governor Chamberlain was addressed to
the Hon. Stanley Matthews, in reply to his
letter of the 4th instant:
COLUMBIA, S. c., March Z.
MJ Dear Sr:-Your note was handed to me
last evening by Colonel Haskell. l feel CRATE
full for the interest you manifest in the public
welfare here, as well as in my personal good.
To givesyou my views in connection Herewith,
with anything approaching fulness, would
require conversation. l can only say here, in
substance, that am unable to see any line of
conduct on my part consistent with nv per-
sonal honor or public duty which would permit
me to yield my claims to the governorship. l
am equally unable to see any course which can
be pursued by the national administration
toward the government here which represent
CONSISTENT with political or constitutional duty,
which will not require it to support me against
violence or overthrow the lawful Republican
government certainly wish most devouty
that l could relieve myself of this duty
have been exposed to personal danger by day
and night constantly for five full months, and
am wearied to death, but there are one or two
things dearer to me than comfort or life; one
is my honor as public man, and the other IS
my duty to the Republicans of this state.
Neither OF these, in my judgment, would
pCAoiio hiO W dSOCpV any dCCOnuouotoh VI
compromise which was not forced npon me by
power it would be idle 10 resist. l desire to
aid and relieve President Hayes, but this is a
life or death struggle, and l know L should
consgn myself TO infamy in the eyes OF all the
Republicans here, who know the situation by
fearful experience, If l were to accept any
terms or do any act which could result in the
success of the monstrous conspiracy against
law and humanity which the Democracy of
this state embody and represent There are
better ways than this to conciliate and pacfy
the South: Let the present administration,
while fcmly standing by the law and right for
the Republicans, manifest spirit of charity
and sympathy for our opponents here, as coun.
trymen and citizens, in the thousand ways
open to an administration, and peace will come
and will abide,-the peace of justice and law;
the only peace worth fighting for. To permit
Hampton to reap the fruits of a campaign of
murder and fraud, SO long as there remains
power to prevent it, is to sanction such
methods. All this say. my dear sir, with
feelings of profound respect for you, but as in
| duty bound to declare the truth as l under
stand it. Of one thing am sure-neither you
nor any man moved by sense of justice can
understand the situation here and be willing
for any political advantage CT freedom from
embarrassment to abandon the Republicans to
The fate that awaits them whenever Hampton
becomes the Dndisputed Governor of this state.
despair of being able to set our case in its
true light before those who have had no such
experiences; but do feel, if had the privi-
lege, l could do much more toward it. I have
written hurrledly, and beg that you will believe
me to be
Yours truly,
ID. 81. CHAMBERLAIN.
Hon. Stanley Matthews, Washington, D. G.