New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-10-21
INTIMIDATION IN CAROLINA.
A PERSISTENT CAMPAIGN OF FORCE AND PERsECU.

TON URGED AGAINST REPUBLICANS.
IDr TELEGRAPH TO TuE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Oct 20.-All pretence that q fair
election is TO be held in South Carolina to be
abandoned. The preparations Of the Democrats to
carry by force and intimidation those districts in
which the Republicans have acknowledged ma
jority are open and ayowed. 1t must DO admitted
that toe Democrats are masters of the SITUATION and
that the Republicans have no remedy except to
fight for their Constitutional rights.
The readers of the The TRIBUNE are aware that
after the recent letter of the Attorney en-
joining upon the United States Dstrict-Attorney.
and the Marshal and his deputies, the duty Of pro-
tecting all persons in their right to hold public
mass-meetings for political discussion it was de-
cided to hold meeting in Sumter County on the
18th inst. which the District-Attorney and
United States Marshal had promised. to attend in
order to the efficiency of the protection afforded
by their presence. The day arrived but neither the
Republican speakers nor the United States officers
were present. On the contrary, the red-shirted
Democratic clubs appeared In great force,
fully equipped for war, and efectually broke
up and dispersed the Republican meeting.
company commanded by one of the aides
of Governor Hampton surrounded the house
OF Judge Lee. who was to be the prin-
cipal speaker on the occasion, and threat
ened his life if he attended the meeting keeping
him prisoner or in hiding all day. A few negroes
did assemble, and courageous white man,
named I. j. Coghlan, nearly eighty years of age,
attempted to address them. Thereupon riot was
started by tho redshirts, which was made the pre-
text for brutally maltreatng some Of the Republic
cans and dispensing the remainder in all directions
A few days after these events Coghlan had four
of the rngleaders arrested by the United States au
al oil fnr trial In the limited States
Courts. Upon this, Cogan and colorcd man
named Dingle one of the material witnesses in the
case were arrested on trumped-up charges by the
local authorities. Dngle was lodged in jail, while
Cogban's warrant was made returnable fifteen miles
from the locality where the affair IL alleged to
have occurred. Five other warrants are known
TO be ready in the hands Of constables to take Mr.
Cogan to various sections OF the county, to annoy
him and induce him to withdraw his complaints
against the buldozers.
Three others, who were witnesses, or who were
TO be summoned as witnesses, have since been ar
rested and lodged In Jail.
Ems information. although from private Republic
can sources receives ample confirmation through
official channels. The plan seems to DO TO employ
the local aud lato machinery to obstruct the pro-
cesses Of the General Government, and thus delay
any interpositon until after the election.
An essential part OF the programme is that which
IL being played by Democratic newspapers in the
North. II consists n the circulation Of stories Of
alleged crimes perperated by prominent Republi-
cans whom II IL desirable 20 dscreiit. Thus 10 Is
given out thar the surrounding of Judge Lees house
OIL the day OF the meeting at sumter was In coDse-
auence of an attempt he had made several weeks
ago to poison the family Of prominent Democrat
but Judge Lee is at liberty and no attempt has
since been made 10 arrest him. IL Is fact that no.
body has believed for "A moment tho absurd story
Mr.. Swails the refugee from Williamsburg, who
Is now in Washington and who was nominated last
week TO be State Senator from his county, Is, for
similar reason, said TO be guilty OF abominabie
crimes , " ., =.
IL is known that the Administration thinks itself
powerless under the present circumstances OF the
ease. No crime except that OF 0bstTuctng political
meetings has been committed agsinst the laws OF
the General Government and process IN the United
States Courts is necessarily slow. If the state Gov
eminent of SOnth Carolina sanctions the violation
of its own laws. aud the abuse and even
murder of its own citizens, there IL, under
the Constitution and laws a. they now stand no
remedy The President assures those who apply
that they shall receive all the protection the laws
will allow, and there In no doubt but that should
opportunity serve, the Administration VIII
call out the military and naval forces To execute Tue
laws without hesitation. The war seems not 10 De
over and the sentiment is a growing one-that tue
peculiar methods of conducting IL which find favor
with South Carolina Democrats warrant more vig-
orOus measures on the part OF South Carolina ne
publlcans and their friends elsewhere.