Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-10-17
Prosecutions and Outragcs in
South Carolina.

South Carolina.
Wade Hampton has thrown of the mask
which be has worn for year and a half,
and reveals himself the hypocrte and iy-
rant which many republicans have always
believed him to be. Under his admins
tration there is no liberty in South Caro-
lima worthy of the name, notwithstanding
his fine promises to the President that the
rights of all people of all parties should
be protected. To be a republican in that
State Is {, be prosecuted socially, deprived
of the right OF suffrage if necessary to the
success of the democratic party and to he
hunted to death or driven out of The State
if democratic ruilians SO will it.
Trusting in the pledges which had been
given the administration that fair elections
could be held in that State, the republi-
cans of South Carolina attempted to or
ganize their party, hold meetings, and
prepare 10 cast their votes mt the election
this fall. The result is that violence has
re-appeared as in 1876 only now it stalks
openly abroad in the Daylight instead of
being masked and operating in secret as
then. and Wade Hampton's minion' lead
in efforts to turn republican meetings into
massacres.
Lat Saturday the republicans of Sum
ter county were to hold public meet
ings for political discussion. Their
calls were carefully made in such a
way as 10 entitle them to protection under
the United State law. When these were
Published. the democratic plper at Sum-
mervile, edited by one of the aids of
Wade Hampton, did all that il could to
excite the democrats to attack the repub-
licans, stimulating them to action by incen-
diary articles of which the following
paragraphs are specimens:
democrats should rally as one on Satur
dav. He who dales is a bastard. lie who doubts
is damned.
lie, the Northern speakers come We intend to
carry Sumter comfy democratic at the next cleo
ton in spite of the world, the flesh ard the devil.
Surely no one who is worthy of the name Of
'mau" can hesitate under such conditions to take
a hard on Saturday. Men with mothers and wives,
men with sisters dear, men who expect to raise
families in Sumter county, you sons and dsugh-
ters. turn ont on Saturday and meet the thieves
whom Sam Lee is gathering together aud attempt
ing to fasten as rulers and masters in
this county.
Let everything be conducted on Saturday with
IN itarv order, promptness and precision.
In 1861 Southern braves left their loved
homes and fresides and encountered every
eevsbe bodily privatidh, every danger that dwarfs
into perfect nsi2nifcance in comparison with the
democratic cause in this county to-day; and
yet are there men who are so ease loving
aud unpatriotic that they will not turn ont on Sat-
urday to meet the republican thieves If such
there be, 20 mark them well"
The following to the rifle clubs is given
as the programme for the democrats on
Saturday,
The presidents Of clubs are requested to report
TO the county chairman, who can be found at the
rooms Of the Executive Committee in rear of the
Town Hall, up stairs. The clubs will he earnest
" enjoined by those 10 authority to remain 10 line
and under the command Of their respective presi-
dents until they turned over to some high off
Ger, from whom they will receive orders during
the day
No information about what happened in
Sumter County has been received, but
Congressman Rainey now has information
that at Blackvile. in Barnwell County, S.
c., meeting was held on the llth at
which Congressman Smalls was one of
the speakers. large number of demo-
Gratis were present and abused the repub-
lican speakers, threatening them with vi
olence. Brickbats and bars of iron were
hurled at the speakers, and the wives of
republicans who attended were shameful
ly matreated. Mr.. Smalls narrowly es-
capped being struck by bar of iron
hurled at him. And Sumter is not alone
as a theatre for such scenes of violence.
State Senator s. N. Swails of South Caro-
lima is now in Washington, refugee in
that city. from his State, whence he has
been driven by violence. He was given
by the democratic executive committee
his choice of these ropositions-surren-
der of his political rights, ostracism, or
death. In regard to his case we find the
following in the Washington correspond
ance of the Boston Advertiser.
Mr. Swails is one of the most recent prominen,
victims Of this system of compulsory Cancellation,
and is one Of the most conservative citizens of So.
Carolins, and member of the bar of that State
he has been uniformly respected by the better
class Of citizens. For thirteen years he has resd.
ed at Kiugstone, and besides holding at different
times the most important Offices, he was elected a
member of the State Senate and held the position
Of president Of the senate until forced to resign by
the spirit OF compulsory Cancellation. As chair
man Of the committee platform in the late re-
publican State convention at Columbia, Mr.. Swails
successfully prevented the Endorsement of Hamp.
ton, and succeeded in having series of resolu.
tions adopted denonncing the imbecility and du-
pliciiy of that pretender
BY this loyal action he called down upon him the
dire wrath OF the unterrifed and has been con-
demned to exile by the government of the red
shirt ruffians. The State militia under command
Of Gov. Hampton, are enlisted TO do deeds of vio
lepce. The democratic committee in broad day
light, aud with DO petence Of secrecy, invade the
houses of peHceable citizens and deliver threats
of death. They are backed by horde of red
shifted and armed ruians, enrolled the militia
OF the State. After detailing his gross maltreat-
ment, Mr.. Swails narrstes the facts connected
with the action of The democratic executive com
miitee, consisting Of Mr.. Samson, chairman; Mr.
Kelley, secretary, and Messrs. Lee, Kinder and
DR.. Sessions who walked into his door and read
bin copy OF the resolutions which, they said
were passed by the executive comm ttee and prom
inent men OF the county. These were as follows
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