The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1878-10-31
HAMPTON AND THE "OUTRAGEs.v -
The Governor Replies TO SwaiIs. and Com.
hhits the Case to the Circuit Solicitor.

Swals, it will be remembered, wrote
to Governor Hampton touching the con
duet OF the Williamsburg Red Shirts.
ll's complaint WAS that when he was re-
turning home from a meeting in the
country he was suddenly surrounded by
large number of hOrsemen, wearing
red shirts and acting generally in an i'm
proper manner, and after some minutes
elapsed, in response to his own inquiry
the leader of the Red shirts informed
him that he was under arrest. In this
manner he WAS carried into the town Of
hlnSstrce, and OF arriving there he called
upon Trial Justice Steele for protection.
but that officer failed to give lin salts,
faction. At subsequent date he was
notified by delegation Of white citizens
that he must leave the country and not
return on peril Of his life. The reply of
Governor Hampton is as follows:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
COLUMBIA, 5. c., October q, 1878.
from my office, did not receive your
letter until day or two since. and hi,
accounts Tor my delay in repy.ag.
While dcprccute all acts OF violence.
and am always willing to exert proper
authority in maintaining the laws. you
must recognize that | have no mower to
exercise Judicial authority, nor to take
coSniZance OF such offences Us fall un-
der the jurisdiction of legal tribunals.
II the facts you state are correct. the par
ties who stopped and arrested you on the
public highway were guilty of Il grave
offence, and it is your duty to have them
indicted. The courts are open to all citi-
zcns, and all can secure Justice before
| them. The only matter that | can with
propriety act upon is the charge made
| against Trial Justice Steele, and this
shall he fully investigated. All NV cf.
forts during this CANVASS have been used
to promote harmony and preserve the
peace. If there should occur any public
disturbance where | could propcrly act.
all the authority Of my office shall be
Used to quell it, and to give full protcc-
ton to all citizens of the State.
| | have no sympathy with lawlcssncss
of any sort, nor with those who seek ia
produce discOrd between The two races
Respectfully yours,
WADE HAMproS.
| II. SIN Justice to Trial Justice
Steele, ! ask that you prefer specific
charges against him. In the meantime
| refer your letter to Solicitor Hirsch
requesting him to investigate the whole
matter and to report To me. You can
communicate with him. w. IL.
iAt the same time Governor Hampton
wrote to Mr.. IIirsch, the circuit solicitor
Il Republican,, as follows:
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER,
CoLUMnIA,S c., October u, 1878.
Ny Dfdr Sir. felt it 10 be nv
duty to lay the enclosed paper.
bei@ you as solicitor, so that you may
gN thcm full investigation, and am
ass. ed that you will take all proper steps
to see that justice is done to ali parties.
If any wrong has been committed the
courts are the proper tribunals for their
redress, and the complaints should prop.
erly come before you. beg yo;; 70 &c
port the result of your Investigation to
me.
Very respectfully yours,
| WADE HAMPTON, Governor.
NJ HIRsclT, Esq, Solicitor, S. G.