The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-01-25

of the whole piece, but with more frank
ness. The opinion of the world pro-
nounces its absurdity. AS an instance, I
enclose sentence from letter just re-
ceived from a distinguished Northern
Democrat, who did not know "the leaf
of secret history of our campaign"
GAIL things considered, you
made the best fight Of any State in the
Union, and the amazement to me is that
you were able to make it at all against
the military power, money and the ways
of your adversaries."
There was no change of policy made
by Hampton at this time. His first
speech, End September, was identical in
sentiment and principle with bis last
speech, 9Th November, and not one jot
nor title did he swerve from it through
out the campaign.
1t was matter of regret that Judges
Mackey and Cooke could not go through
the entire canvass I only allude to this
to show how consistently your correspon-
dent errs. 1 think Judge Mackey ap-
peared on the stand with General Hamp-
ton twice only; Judge Cooke oftener.
The latter soon came out for Tilden and
voted for him.
The policy pursued by General Hamp-
ton was the perfection of the wishes of
the State Democratic Convention and the
plans of the Executive Committe. 1t
was sustained by all persons, whatever
may have been their position on the only
question that ever made division in the
convention. And mall the counties in
the State the Hampton policy, the Exec
utive Committee policy, the straightout
policy, up to the last moment, was rigid
ly observed and executed.
We carried the State by bringing out
the full white vote and by winning over
$4,000 to II, 900 colored voters. Had it
not been for military interference and the
destruction of State government, we
would have gained 10000 colored votes.
As it was, the main body of the colored
votes we did obtain is due not solely to
the wisdom of the plan and policy laid
down, but principally to the superb and
never-failing power and sagacity with
which General Hampton put the theory
into execution.
The whole people in South Carolina
spurn with contempt the following de-
clarations made by this so-called It'll
den Democrat :"
Though the straightouts brought
about his nomination in the face of a
tremendous opposition from within the
Democratic party, and though their
courage and skill had so much to do with
redeeming the State, they claim to have
been practically ignored by Gen. Hamp-
ton when he selected the State Executive
Committee. Three of his avowed oppo-
nents we're placed on this committee"
A large majority of the voters of the
State were straightout before Hampton's
nomination. AS I said before, no lead
ers built up this policy. 1t is worse than
folly to charge General Hampton with
| ignoring" anybody. His nomination
was not debt he owed to anybody. His
acceptance was his tribute to the State,
and is debt the party owes torhim.
The contest was not over the man, but
was an agreement over the policy of the
movement. He did not select the State
Executive Committee. 1t was elected by
the whole number of the nominees on the
State ticket, in conjunction with the
President of the Convention, and of the
seven five were earnest advocates of his
policy beforehand, Though the vote Of
one, Major Fraser, had been fixed by his
constituents,) and all were his friends
and earnest supporters. Your cores
pondent winds up his category of mis-.
statements, perversions and errors by this
summary:
cit is safe to say that but for the fatal
mistakes made in this campaign-the
desertion of Tilden and the surrender to
Cooke and Mackey-the majority for the
State and National ticket would have
been too large to admit of investigation
or question"
There may have been mistakes; but
that there was any "desertion of Tilden,"
&c., by General Hampton, the State Ex-
ecutive Committee, or any part or parcel
of our party in South Carolina, / solemn.
ly deny, and if any person AYERS it, |
pronounce it to be utterly and willfully
false. There never was fairer, harder
contest for the national party than we
conducted in this State; nor ever one
with less encouragement or greater peril.
Alone, our victory would have been a
plaything; but together with the Ma
tional Democracy we bore the brunt Of
the force of the administrations-State
and National-canvassed under the
watchful eyes of the professional detec-.
tives who were backed by bristling bayo.
nets, voted over the bayonet point, won
from the enemy $4,000 to 1900 votes,
and carried the State for Tilden, as we'll
as for Hampton, and have only been de-
feated by the frauds committed at the
polls in the returns and by the canvassers.
We stand upon our record, and defy the
attacks of our bitterest enemies. May
we be preserved from any more such.
criticism from our friends.
Pardon me when I say that your views
with regard to General Hampton's letter
to Mr.. Tilden and Mr.. Hayes is mis-
take, and rests not upon the letter, but
upon vague apprehensions. If there has
been champion for Tilden it has been
Hampton, and none expresses more ap-.
probation of it than Mr.. Tilden.
General Hampton is now Governor,
and is in charge OF the interests OF tnls
State. The United States is divided be-.
tween two great parties-in bitter antag-
onism to each other-and the condition
of affairs in this State is one Of the grave
issues which is between them. The Gov
ernor simply inclosed his inaugural to
the leaders of the respective parties, pre-
senting to them truthful report Of the
matters of such grave import. Judge.
Mackey was going to see Gov. Hayes, as
know personally, and asked Governor
Hampton to allow him to carry the letter.
His request was granted, and nothing
more. ...... :,
Governor Hampton has repeatedly and
publicly repudiated the charge that
Judge Mackey was in anywise his am.
bassador, representative, emissary or
agent in any particular. Judge Mackey
has likewise disclaimed that he in any
respect represented Governor Hampton.