Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1880-10-19

WASHINGTON ID. CT, september IL 1885,
To Hon. Wade Hampton care OF Augustus Schel
New York Sir: Your note of the 18th instant is
received, in which you inquire, etc In reply, have
to advise you that while do not remember the pre-
else language, presume the reporter correctly
stated in condensed WY, his idea of what | said
I no doubt spoke OF you leading representative
OF the Democratic party in the south, aud referred
to the Kuklux Khan as representative OF the bar
herous agencies by which the Democrats have sub
yerted the civil and political rights OF the Republic
cans Of the South. do not connect you personally
with the kuklux Kan Indeed know you had in
one or two important instances, resisted and de-
feated its worst impulse appreciate the sense #
honor which makes you SHRINK from beng named
in connection with it, still, you and your associates
leading men in the South-now enjoy the benefits
OF the political power derived from the atrocities OF
the kuklux Khan, In which phrase | include
all The aliases by which it has from
to time time been known in the South.
Your power in the Southern States rests upon the
actual crimes Of every grade in the code of crimes
from murder to tine meaHest form II bal.ot-box
stufing, committed by the Kuklux Khan and its
kindred associates, and (as you know some
of the most OF them have been committed
since 1871 when you and they gave the most solemn
assurances of protection OF the freedmen OF the
South. These crimes all aimed at the civil and
political rights Of Republicans in the South,
and believe, but for these agencies
the very State that you represent, as well as
many other States in the South, would be repse-
scented both In the Senate and House BY Republ
cans But for these crimes the boast attributed to
you that one hundred and thirty solid South
ern votes would be cast for the Democratic ticket
would be but idle vaporiDg. But now we feel it in
sober truth While have reason to believe youo
your Northern associates personally participated in
the ofense have named, yet while you and they
joy the fruits of these crimes, you may, in
logic and morals, be ciassed class you-as joint
copartners with the Kuklux Khan in the policy
which thus far has been successful in seizing poit
cal power in the South, and which it is hoped, by
the aid of the small segment of She Democratic
party in the North, may be extended to all the de-
partnents of the Government. 1t is in this sense
that | spoke of you the kuklux Khan and Northern
Democratic party. Permit me, 10 inclusion while
answering questions, TO say that the fatal
policy for the South would be, by such agencies as
have mentioned, to secure again political
ascendancy in this country, for l assure
you that the manhood aud independence
OF the North will certainly continue the struggle
until every Republican in the South shall have
free and uuresric ed enjoyment OF equal civil and
political privileges fair count, free speech, free
press, and the agitation made necessary to secure
such results. notwithstanding this may greatly
affect injurousy the Interests OF the people OF the
South Very respectfully your ohedient servant,