The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1902-04-23

ior hampton. The jubliatiOn that
cnsued may be imagined. Impromptu
meetings and torchlight professions
were held everywhere. In Fairfield
the Ridgeway Club, mounted and each
with lightwood torch in his hand,
paraded through the country for miles,
casting weird light upon the border
ing pine forests.
The Republicans. however, refused
to yield and Immediately began to
throw out Democratic votes in Louisi-
ana, Elorida and South Carolina. In
South Carolina Hampton had received
a majority Of 1,100 votes, and the
Democrats had secured quorum Of
the House of Representatives, which
was to count the Gubernatorial vote.
The returning board endeavored to
throw out tho votes of Edgefeld and
Laurens and secure a majority for
Chamberlain and Republican ascen-
dency in the House. It refused to
obey mandamus of tbe State Supreme
Court, ordering it to give certificates
to the members from these two coun-
ties, and when the day for the meet
ing Of the Assembly arrived these
members were not allowed by guard
Of soldiers to enter the hall. While
the Democratic members were parler
ing with the guard in the State House
an immense crowd had assembled at
the outer door and was clampring for
admission. The army officer asked
Gen. Hampton to endeavor to get
them to retire. Hampton stepped
forward and was greeted with vocifer-
GUS cheering. He waved his hand
and stilled the multitude and then
spoke as follows:
"My friends, am truly doing what
have done earnestly during this
whole exciting contest-pouring oil
upon the troubled waters. It is of
the greatest Importance to US all as
citizens of South Carolina that peace
shall be, preserved. I appeal to you
all, white and colored, to keep down
all violence or disturbance. One act
of violence may precipitate bloodshed
aud desolation. ! implore you, there
fore, to keep the peace. I beg all my
friends to dispense, to leave the
grounds Of this Capitol, and I advise
all colored men to do the same. Keep
perfectly quiet. Leave the streets
and do nothing to provoke riot. We
trust to the law and the Constitution
and we have perfect faith in our
cause"
The effect Of these words If peace,
accompanied by q spirit of absolute
confidence in the final result, was
magical. Carl Mckinley, in his re-
port to the News and Courier, wrote:
''The whites immediately dispersed,
followed by great many negroes, and
in few minutes the Capitol grounds
we're deserted"
Another grave crisis was averted a
few days later, when it was reported
that the Democratic House, which had
entered the Hall Of Representatives
and taken joint possession with the
Mackey House, was 20 be elected by
Chamberlain constables and Federal
troops. Democrats, armed with Win
chesters and pistols, hurried to Colum-
bia by every train, and by 10 O'Clock
Monday morning there were about
5000 excited men in the streets. The
Wallace House, after consultation, re-
tired to avert any chance Of breaking
the peaceful policy, which up tc that
time had been so successful. But the
people, fearing that all hope Of a
peaceful settlement was ended, were
ready 10 scale the walls Of the
State House and throw the whole Re-
publican assemblage out Of the win
dows, OF even kill them and destroy
the Federal garrison. It was one Of |
those occasions on which men in hot |
blood commit an act that they will
bitterly rue ever after. The task Of |
determination would not have been
difficult. In that gathering were sew
eral thousands Of the best soldiers the
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