National Republican., 1880-10-19
THE sEcRETAnY,s REPLY.
WASHINGTON, D. q, Sept 2l 1850
Hon Wade Hampton, care Augustds ScicH, eSq "

WAsmiNGrON. D. c., Sept ~, 1850.
Hon Wade Hampton, care augustus schea, esq Ncto
SIN; Your note of the 18th instant is received, in
which you induirc whether at the conference held
by the national republican committee at the Fifth
Avenue hotel, New York, used the language at
tribued to me. as follows:
And now you are asked 70 surrender all you
have done into the hands Of Wade Hampton and
the ku klux and the little segment in the north
that is called the dcmocratic party"
In reply have to advise you that while do not
remember the precise language presume the re-
porter correctly stated in condensed way, his
idea of what snid.
l no doubt spoke Of you as a leading representa-
tive OF the democratic party in the south, and re-
ferrcd TO the ku-klux klan rs n representative of
the barbnrous agencies by which the democrats
have subyerted the civil aud political rights of the
republicans Of the south. / did not connect you
personally with the ku.kluX khan. Indeed, !
knew that you had in ono or two important in
stances resisted and defeated its worst impulses |
appreciate the sense of honor which makes you
shrink from being named In connection with it.
Still you and your associates. the leading men in
the south now enjoy the benefits of political power
derived from the Atrocities of the ku-klux kan in
which phrase include all the numerous aliases by
which II has from time to time been known in tho
upon actual crimes of every grade in the code
of crimes, from murder to the mcancst
form of ballot.bON stulig committed by the ku-
klux khan and It's kindred associates; and. as you
know, some of the worst of them committed since
1877, when yon aud they gave the most solemn as
surunces OfprOeCton TO the freedmen Of the south.
These crimes are all aimed at the civil and politi
cal rights of republicans in the south, and, be-
eve, but for these agencies the very state that you
represent well as many other states in the south,
would be represented both In the senate and house
by republicans. But for these crimes the boast at
tributcd to you that the 1888 solid southern votes
would be cast for the democratic ticket would be
but idle vaporing, but now we feel that 1t Is sober
TRUTH While have no reason to believe that you or
your northern associates personally participated In
the oflenses have named yet while you and they
enjoy the fruits OF these crimes, you may, In logic
and morals. be classed as l classed you, as joint
copartners with the ku-klux klsn In II policy
which thus far has been successful In selling polit-
ical power in the south, and which. II Is hoped by
the aid of the small segment of the democratic
party In the north, may be extended to all depart.
mOnts of the government, 1t is in this sense that
spoke of you, the ku-klux klan and the northern
democratic party.
Permit me, in conclusion, while frankly M
sweriug your question. TO say that the most
fatal policy of the south wUuls be by such
agencies as hnve mentioned 10 seeire again
political aScendcncy in this country; for | assure
you that the manhood and independence of the
north will certainly continue the struggle until
every republican in the south shall have free and
Unrestricted enjoyment of equal civil aud polit.
cal privileges, including fair vote, fair count
free speech and free press; and the agitation
made necessary to secure such results may greatly
affect injuriously tho interests Of the people of the
south. Very respectfully your obedcnt servant,