The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-10-19
DAGGER's SPRINGS, VIRGINIA., !
September II, 1880.


am, very respectfully, your obedieut SER
want, WADE HAMPTON.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., September 81.
Hon. Wade Hampton, Ne,o York:
Sir,-Your note of the 18th instant is re-
ceived, in which you inquire whether at a
conference held by the National Republican
Committee at the FIfth-Avenue Hotel, New
York, I used language attributed to me as
follows: "And now you are asked TO sur
render all you have done into the hands OF
Wade Hampton and the kuklux and the
little segment in the North called the Dem
ocratc party" In reply, have to advise
YOU that, while do not remember the pre-.
else language, presume the reporter cor
rectly stated, in condensed way, his idea
of what said. Ino doubt spoke of you as
leading representative OF the Democratic
patty in the South, and referred to the Ku-
kluX Khan as a representative Of the barba-
rous agencies by which the Democrats have
subverted the civil aud political rights Of
the Republicans of the South. | did not
connect you personally with the Kuklux
Kians. Indeed. / know that you had in
one or two important instances resisted and
defeated its worst impulses. l appreciate
The sense Of honor which makes you shrink
from being named in connection with II.
Still you and your notwithstanding men
In the South-nOw enjoy benefits OF political
mower derived from the atrocities Of the
KukluX Klan, in which phrase | include
all the numerous aliases by which it has
from time to time been known In the South.
Your power I'm the southern States rests
upon actual crimes OF every grade in the
code Of crimes. from murder to the meanest
form of ballot-box stuffing, committed by
the KukuX Khan and its kindred asso-
ciates. aud, rs you know, some OF the worst
of them committed since 1877, when you
and thew gave solemn assurances OF pr0iec-
ton to The freedmen Of the South. These
crimes are all aimed at the civil and politi-
cal rights Of Republicans in the South, and,
as | believe, but for these agencies the very
State TINT you represent, as well as many
other States in the South, would be repre-
sented both i'm the Senate and House by Re-
publlcans. But for these crimes the boast
attributed to yeu that the 1873 solid southern
votes would be cast for the Democratic
ticket would be but idle vaporing. But now
we feel that it is the sober truth. While
have no reason to believe that you or your
northern associates personally participated
in the offences have named, yet
while you and they enjoy the fruits
OF these crimes you may in logic
and morals be classed as | classed
you-"as Joint co-partners with the ku-
klux Klans in a policy which thus far has
been successful in Selling the political
power In the South and which it is hoped,
by the aid Of the small segment OF the Dem-
ocratic party in the North, may be extended
TO all departments of the Government" 1t
is in this sense that spoke of you, the ku-
klux Khan, and the northern Democratic
party. Permit me, 10 conclusion, while
frankly answering your question, to say
that the most fatal policy for the South
would be by such agencies as | have men,
toned to secure again political ascendency
in this country; for | assure you that the
manhood and independence of the North
will certainly continue TO struggle until
every Republican in the South stall have
free and unrestricted enjoyment OF equal
civil and political privileges. including fair
votes, fair count, free speech. and Cree
press and the agitation necessary to Sc
cure such results may greatly affect inju-
riously the interests of the people OF the
South.
Very respectfully, your obedient servant,
JOHN SHERMAN.