The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-07-26
Measure of Practical Relief.

Tie Ku-RiUE Offenders Can Now Return Home
An amnesty for illicit DistIierS IN r. aspect,
We are authorized to say that all citizens OF
South Carolina accused of offcnses under the
ku Klux law, who have left the State on account
OF prosecutions against them, pending in the
United States Courts, may now return with safe
ty to their homes, where they can reside with
ont fear OF further moestation, upon the single
condition that they be peaceful and law-abding
citizens. Governor Hampton himself gives the
assurance that there is no longer any riak ;of
further prosecution on account of past offenses.
Scattered about in different parts of The Uni
ted States, and in Canada, there are number
OF Caroliuans who were charged with being inn
plicated in crimes alleged to have been commit
ted by the Ku Klux in lS7O-11. There was no
hope of fair trial. Hired witnesses stood
ready TO furnish any sort of evidence that pros
coating officers required. 1t was only natural
that those most conscious OF their Innocence
should flee, when the choico was between flight
and the Albany Pcnitcntitry. These refugees
have waited with sickenins hearts for any
change in the position of affairs that would en-
apc them to 90 back TO their abandoned home
stcatls The time has come. Through Cover
nor Hampton once again, despair will be
changed into hope, and sorrow will become joy
Amnesty for the Ku kux Offenders is not how.
ever. the only good work i, which Wade llamp-
ton is engaged
An earnest effort is making by Governor
Hampton to secure a ycncrdt amnesty for he H.
:, iuu disillcrs in South Carolina Word has been
sent by him to York County that, If the ;distil-
'>fSfstkere will come in and bind themselves TO
stop their unlawful work, and if the citizens
generally will engage to discountcnancc the IL
lett manufacture and sale of whiskey, he will
exert his personal influence, to the utmost, to
have the prosecutions against such offenders
s.a,cl o! dismissed. About twenty-five illicit
disu,lers have already a.ai.ca themselves of the
Governors offer, and, if it be found that it
works well, the plan pursued in York will be
cA.rndcd to other counties
The statements herein made, concerning the
K. .Eiux offenders, now in Texas and elsewhere,
and concerning the illicit distillcrs, arc made
~ us by authority, and can tc relied on i'm
lGcii!y.
~ tho Involuntary absence Of the ku-kluH
refugees and the hunting down of the distillcrs
il the mountains infinite loss and trouble have
been caused to South Caroiiun, without advan-
ta-r to the United States government 1t is the
u =. OF Governor Hampton to change all this
The most difficult part of the undertaking Is
accomplished, and its completion will not long
i.barSslHyka TbScsy ysNcitrp lioeens
this is more valuable to the people than the
qualification Of spleen and spite. The desire 0
Governor Hampton is to blot out the stain o
ihr times that are far bchiad us, the period o
agitation, prohigacy and contempt of law, anG
I. rive the whole State fresh start, relieved
frJin the moral depression and physical buralen
OF mis- government and its environments. Thii
he can do if the people cooperate with him il
building the social and industrial fabric on the
Foundation of obedience to law, respect for au
thcriy and equal rights and opportunities fol
al classes Of citizens.-NewS Gad Courier.