The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1880-02-07
II TALK WITH G.1RY,
His Controversy With Hampton--How III.
Views the Situation In tho state.

,
ly visited General Gary, makes II
further report, which is full Of intc..-
est, but of too great length to be i'll
serted in full here. We give tho most
important portions:
After saying that for the COOS of
the party he seeks no controversy
with Senator Hampton, General Gary
continues: | consider tho unity and
harmony of the Democratic party of
paramount importance, and propose
to conduct this discussion so rs to
help and II t hurt ii, by showing what
its fundamental principles are. Systc-
matte efforts have been made to break
and keep me down because | have
taken bold political stand on tho
bond and other questions, and have
Just as much right to accuse Sena .or
Hampton of inspiring attacks upon
nc as he has to charge mo with in
spring attacks upon him. We have
made such Il God Of Hampton fo,
several years past that any one who
dared to disagree with him has been in
danger of being politically ostracisetl
CASA number Of deserving men in this
State have been made to tccl whether
he was right or not. Even now some
people arc trying to damn me politi-
cally for my SO called "oppositiOn to
llampt0n," although the State has
been greatly benefited thereby. Since
Senator Hampton has been the first TO
introduce the question of State poll
tics and the Governorship, evidently
with the view of creating public scnti-
mcnt for the next election, | propose
to show that am and have been right.
and do not hesitate to say | would
rather DC right than be Governor of
South Carolina, for SO far us that posi-
ton is concerned, like Mr.. Lowndcs
said Of the Presidency, think il
"shoull neither be sought nor dcclin-
ed" and | shall certainly remember
tho first part Of his Injunction. IL will
DC seen from Senator lIampton's last
interview that we arc not so far apart
after all in our statements, except as
to the proposition made to nc at Alb
bcvillc, which as hc first said had
''cscapcd his recollection" lie draws
distinction without making IL differ
encc between meeting and consul
tation, in which he and General Nc
Gowan acknowledge that the with
drawal Of the Democratic Electors WINS
discussed just as stated, and if the
proposition was under consideration
that night, does it appear at all I'M
probable that Governor Hampton
should have approached nc that day
upon tho same subicct2 do not care
by what name they call it, whether a
consultation or meeting, and Me-
Gowan says that Hampton occupied
the chair, us detailed BY him in the
presence of other gentlemen, and rs
told to nc by others who were present
and as can be proven. In saying in
my first interview that IL think Til
den has been badly treated, hc was
sold out by Southern leaders," I only
repeat what has been said again and
again by the Democratic and Rcpubli-
can press, and I believe it to be true.
Cantlor compcls me to say that did not
have Senator Hampton in my minds
eye, for he was not at that time a
member of Congress, and could not
properly br considered Il Southern,
leader, speaking from National stand
point.
There can be no doubt rs to the dis
position Of Hampton to sacrifice Nj
tionnl to State politics, or Tildcn's
election to secure his own, for it is
we'll known this feeling prevailed all
over the State, after being discussed ut
headquarters, from whence the inspira-
tion came. as shown by the following
unbrokcn chain of evidence: 1st. The
meeting or consultation in Abbcvillc
on tho 10th September, 1876. I'd. The
Manton Marble letter again suggest
ing the idea Of separating the State
from National politics. Sd. The nd-
vocacy of Hayes and Wheeler and
Hampton and Simpson from Demo
cratic platforms by the Republican
Judges, Cooke and Mackcy, in the
presence Of Governor Hampton, and
without objection from him. 4th. Az
ter the election the advising by Gcncr-
al Hampton Of some of the Tildcn
electors not to cast their votes for
Tildcn. 9th. The Mackey mission to
Hayes before the electoral frauG was
committed. 9Th. His travelling around
the country with Hayes, cndcayorinr
to reconcile the South to the greatest
"' |'Si PcipctIutCU upon
tho American people or against con-
stitutional government. iii. The adj
vocacy Of Hayes Southern policy,
which meant the disntcgration of tic
solid Democratic South. Now these
arc issues for Senator Hampton to
consider furnish evidence Of dis
loyalty to tho National Democracy.
McGowan's opinion to the contrary
notW outstanding. have taken no
great credit or virtue to myself, and |
am surprised that Senator HAMPTON
so strcnuously denies what hc must
know to bo true. So fir rs am con-
cerncd | helped to save tho State in
1876, and want to sec that kept while
Wo help to save the Nation from the
tyrant Grant and the corrupt Republi-
cans who aim at ccntralization and tho
destruction Of Republican govern
mcnt.
BY pointing out and avoiding the
errors of tho past, we may secure sue
cess foy the future. Tildcn is certain
ly of more importance IN National
politics than Hampton, and in show
ing how he was deprived of his and
our rights, which may yet be restored -.
| I only do tho National marty a co.,,;on