The Morning herald., 1878-12-27
LAWYER DozIER's PEACEFUL
PICTURE.

The following is from Richard Dozier, a
leading lawyer OF Georgetown, and relates
to that county
GEoRGETowN, 8. c., Nov. 20, 1878.
General M. G. Butler, Washington D. G: :
MY DEAR SIR I sec that the Northern
papers-notably the New York Tribune
and Times-are indulging in very bitter
lings against the South, and especially
South Carolina, on account of the recent
election in this State. The democrats are
accused of intimidation, violence and fraud
in carrying the election. There is not the
slightest foundation for any charges like
these, as believe, in any part Of the State
and as l certainly know in this county.
There never was a more quiet, peaceable
and orderly election here than the one
held this November. Ny Office is in the
building next to the Court House, where
the polls for this precinct were held, and
was either in my Office or at the polls from
early in the morning till the election was
over, and if there was even a quarrel, poll
tical or otherwise, during the day / did
not hear it OF of it, but, on their contrary,
while mingling with the people in front Of
the Court House during the day I observed
the greatest good humor among all classes
and the most perfect freedom in voting as
each person desired. In truth. while a
great many eolored persons voted with us
in the election of 1875, but few did SO
openly from fear oi their leaders. but in
this last election they not only voted the
democratic ticket in largely increased
numbers, but they did so openly, and, as
far as my observation extended, without
being interfered with by persons Of either
party. In 1876 there we've certain parts
Of this county inhabited almost exclusively
by the colored people, where the democra,
tic speakers were not even allowed to hold
a meeting, much less to address the people.
In these very localities, during this cam
paign of 1878, the colored people them,
selves appointed the meetings and invited
the demt Gratis to send speakers there. !
was myself to address a meeting in
one Of these places. 1t was five days be-
fore the election. The meeting was held
in the middle of large settlement com.
posed entirely of the colored people. There
was large attendance of The voters Of the
settlement. There were four white demo.
cratic speakers and one colored democratic
speaker. l do not remember but two
white men in attendance besides the
speakers, and the colored assembly not
only heard US attentively, but seemed az
far as | could judge by their expressions to
be in perfect accord with us. Among the
colored people at this meeting were three,
at least, who during the campaign of 1876
had baen ardent speakers and hard work
ers on the republican side, but who, on this
occasion. gave their influence on the demo
cratic side, and openly, freely and volun-
tarily advocated the entire democratic
ticket.
NEGROES VOTING AGAINST CONGRESSMAN
RAINEY, REPUBLICAN.
What is said of the quiet, peace, good
order and complete harmony prevailing at
this meeting can be said with equal truth
of every part of the county, for during tht
campaign / was in nearly every portion o
the county and | never saw anything but
an honest, earnest effort on the part of tbs
democrats to convince the colored people
that they had an equal interest in go0C
government with the whites, and that il
was alike their duty and privilege 10 assis
in maintaining what they acknowledged tc
be a good government nor did | heal
during the entire campaign a single COM
plant on the psrt OF colored man ths
any attempt had BEEN made to influence
his yoteto the democratic party by violenc'
or threats of violence, or by any othe
kind or character of intimidation what
fever. So far as the Congressional election
Twas concerned there was very decided dis
laffec.ion 10 J. II. Rainey in the republi
can party. So decided was this opposition
that the more intelligent per:on wLo sup
Iported the republican county ticket pu
forth a ticket OF their own Oh which the,
substituted the name of Mr.. Richardson
for that of Mr.. Ralney, and the ticket wa
warmly advocated and extensively cir
culated among the republican masses b.
the owner of large lumber mill in tbi
town, who complains bitterly of Mr.
Ra,ney's rersi ten: neglect OF this por
> and harbor as our immediate representa-
tive in Congress.
As before remarked, nt thing could hav
been more quiet, orderly and pescefl,
than the campaign and election in thi
county. Except little episode on wha
has been designatcd "Hampton's day,
there was absolutely nothing, either i
words or ac's, which could be tortured int
an attempt at intimidation Of voter i
the free and voluntary exercise of hi
franchise, and this would be totally un
worthy Of mention but t0at the fedora
officials have magniied it by srrestn
many Of our good citizens for an allegt
violation Of the famous sections 5,50S an
$500. The 7th of October had been tixe
upen as the day when Governor Hampto