New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-16
4 CH1LLkNGE.

More than ten days ago THE TRIBUNE pub
lished an account of conversation with the
Hon James l.. Campbell, Of South Carolina,
on the subject of the frauds and Outrages
which made the recent election in that State
such n farce Mr.. Campbell. as our core
spoudeut wrote, ais known and respected be-
"yond the boundaries Of South Carolina.
"Standing at the head of the bar of Charles
"ton. his talents, his social position, and his
"loyalty to the Democratic party, have given
"him a popularity and influence second to that
"eujoyed by few men IN the State" Mr.
Campbell has been, moreover, IA prominent
representative of the Democratic party in
the South Carolina Senate. Whatever that
party may say of his statements, 1t cannot
call them Radical hes" Mr.. Campbell con-
frmed in a general way the accounts of
election frauds which our correspondent had
obtained from other sources ). but he was not
willing to give details to a Republican news
paper. 81 could tell You very much," said he,
"but | don't think it is proper for me to
" give information to tho enemy. The jour
"nal you represent Is, am aware, one ol the
"fairest of its party and should be pleased
to assist you in any way in my power. But
d" believe that the Democracy Of the cOun-
"try have at least an equal interest with the
"Radcals in denouncing and exposing
"the frauds that have been committed
land | conceive it to be my duty to give to
"my own party, rather than TO our opponents,
Z" the benefit of any evidence | may have in
"ny possession. | am willing to say that
since the election have employed experts
| "and spent some money in gathering infor-
"matiOn, which intend TO keep and use in
"tho most effective way; and | will add that
| "if dRy Democratic newspaper desires 10 kROW
"he facts, and ,riA call upon me, / wW Gn-
81 ish il trith erdence that tciH be cORclusipe.n
This invitation was published on the 9th of
December and no Democratic newspaper has
found courage to accept it. Are we TO under
stand that the Democratic press does not wish
to know tho facts about the election in South
Carolma2 1t is alleged IN the Republican
press, and the allegation has been quoted in
the United States Senate and referred To
Committee Of that body for investigation,
that more than half the population of South
Carolina has been virtually DISTINGUISHED 10y
trick or by violence. The Democratic party
cries out, lilies! lies! lies !" 1t is answered
by one of it's own most honorable and re-
spectcd members, who exclaims, "No, they are
"not lies; they are shameful truths. Gross
"wrOngs have been committed, which it is
"our duty and privilege to repair. If you
twill hear the facts, l am ready to prove
them to your satisfaction" And there is no
reply but the parrot call, " Lies! lies lies"
Does tho Democracy imagine that the people
of the United States have so little sense and
so little regard for decency and fairness as to
tolerate this evasion of plain dutyi
The Democratic and semIDemocratic critics
of Mr.. Blaine's speech have attempted to
break its force by asserting that it makes
bold assumption of the commission of rascal
tiles in the election upon no other ground
than the falling off in the Republican vote !;
and having put into the mouth of the Maine
Senator number of arguments which he did
not use, and calmly ignored all that he did
advance, they are in much more comfortable
position for replying to him. The fact of the
virtual Acknowledgement Of the Southern
blacks by violent means is established
by positive evidence, entirely unconnected
with differences drawn from election tables.
The crimes Of intimidation, ballOt-box stuff
ing and the persecution of election officers