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

Tie Ku-Kiuz Offenders Can Noe Return Home
An amnesty for illicit Distiiters in Il. ospect
We are authorized to say that all citizens of
South Carolina accused of oGenses under the
ku Klux law, who have left the State on account
OF prosecutions agains. them, pending in the
United States Courts, may now return with safe
ty TO their homes, where they can reside with.
out fear of further n,olestaton, upon the single
condition that they be peaceful aud law-abiding
citizens. Governor Hampton himself gives the
assurance that there is no longer any risk of
further prosecution on account of past offenses.
Scattered about i'm different parts ofthe Uni
ted States, and in Canada, there are q number
of Carolinians who were charged with being inn
plicated in crimes alleged to have been commit
ted by the Ku Kux in 1901. There was no
hope of a fair trial. Hired witnesses stood
ready to furnish any sort of evidence that pros
ccHting officers required. 1t was only natural
that those most conscious of their innocence
should flee, when the chCico was between flight
and the Albany Pententiary. These refugees
have waited with sickening hearts for any
change in the position Of affairs that would en-
aotc them TO go back TO their abandoned home
stcads. 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 Klux otleadcrs is not, how
ever, the only good work in which Wade llamp-
ton is engaged
An earnest effort is making by Governor
Hampton TO secure a general amnesty for he az
.,iru .disillcrs in South Carolina. Word has been
stat by him to York County that, if tho .disiil-
~1efsthere will come in and bind themselves TO
stop their unlawful work, and if the citizens
generally will engage to discountcnancc the il
licit manufacture and sale of whiskey, he will
exert his personal influence, to the utmost, to
have the prosecutions against such Offenders
stay el Of dismissed. About twenty-five illicit
distiilers have already availcd themselves of the
Governors offer, and, if it be found that it
works WE'LL the plan pursued in York will be
extended to other counties.
The statements herein made, concerning the
El..KluX offenders, now in Texas and elsewhere,
and concerning the Illicit distilers, are made
hv MS by authority, and can bc relied on i'm
lticiI!y.
.;y the involuntary absence Of the Ku-klux
refugees and the hunting down of the distillers
il the mountains, infinite loss and trouble have
been caused to South Carolua, without advan-
taco to the United States government. 1t is the
c u Of Governor Hampton to change all this
The most difficult part of the undertaking is
accomplished, and its completion will not long
,sb6. .sd6lsyx sSops1sp - >ai16fs1
this is more valuable to the people than the
qualification of spleen and spite. The desire Of
Governor Hampton is to blot out the stain of
the times that are far behind us, the period of
agitation, profgacy and contempt of law, and
t. give the whole State fresh start, relieved
from the moral depression and physical burden
Of disagreement and its environments. This
lie can do, if the people cooperate with him in
building the social and industrial fabric on the
Foundation of obedience to law, respect for au-
thcri;y and equal rights and opportunities for
all classes of ctizens.-Ne'cs aad Courier.