The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1904-01-20
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.

a LEAF FROM 6lSTUHX.
How General Gordon Came to the
Aid Of General Hampton.
Col. Jas. a. Hoyt, editor OF the
Greenville Mountaineer, recently pub
lished the following in his excellent
paper. which we know will be read
with interest:
The death of Gen. John B. Gordon
will rekindle the profoundest graft
tude in the breast of every participant
in the great and trying campaign OF
1876, when the men and women OF
South Carolina were united heart and
soul in the redemption Of their be-
loved commonwealth from the rude
control of aliens and yandals. The
noble Georgian's unseltish and un-
limited labors in aid Of Hampton and
his followers will never be forgotten
while there is a spark Of patriotism
among the descendants OF those who
bore the brunt of the heroic struggle.
The victory had been won at the polls,
but there were evil omens all around,
and the political sky was far from be-
ing clear and serene a rift in the
clouds came when he brought cheer
and hope with his own sunny expecta-
tion.
1t was bracing, charming Sunday
afternoon in November, shortly after
the election of Hampton, that a tele-
gram was received at the Democratic
headquarters in Columbia, announcing
the fact that Gen. Gordon and Pat
rick Walsh, then editor of the Augusta
Chronicle, were coming to the scene
of activity where their greatest inter
est was centred for the purpose Of
consulting over the situation. Gen.
John D. Kennedy and the writer met
the distinguished visitors at the old
depot Of the Charlotte, Columbia and
Augusta railroad, and soon after
reaching headquarters Gen. Hampton
was notified of their arrival. In the
consultation that followed Gen. Cor
don stated that he had come to ten
! der his services in any way that was
practicable to assist South Carolina
in securing the fruits of the great vic
tory won against such heavy odds, and
Mr.. Walsh said that Augusta and all
Georgia were ready to contribute their
aid in this behalf. Gen. Gordon, in
addition to these declarations, said
that he had come to stay until the
triumph was complete, whether a
month or year would be requisite to
seat Hampton in the gubernatlonal
chair.
The situation was extremely critl-
cal when Gordon reached the capital
of our State. The military occupa-
tion was being rendered more thorough
and dominating, and while the ma
chinery of the State government up
held by bayonets was. nominally in op-
Grafton, the mailed hand Of the Fed
eral officer in command Of the troops
was guiding the helm. Legal Ques-
tions were arising every day, and the
courts were invoked for the maintain
ance of the right, in spite Of the fact
that the highest judicial tribunal was
altogether arrayed against the Hamp-
ton administration. The progress was
slow and tedious to each point OF law,
and it required patience, restraint,
tact and diplomacy to accomplish re-
suits that seemed matter OF course
to the casual observer.
Every one recognized in our superb
leader, the self-poised and conserva-
tive Hampton, the possession Of gifts
and accomplishments which would ul-
timately prove successful, albeit the
way was not clear and the obstruc-
tions were very great, and quite
speedily it was seen that his counter
part had appeared in the person OF the
gallant Gordon, resourceful and strate-
gic, tactful and aggressive. Day and
night the problem was confronted,
and for six weeks amid the uncertain
ties OF the political and military
situation Gordon was laboring inces-
sanity to bring matters to a success
full issue. 1t must be remembered
that he was United States Senator at
that time, and that his personal in
huence at Washington was being exer-
cised constantly in our behalf, which
was potential in the end. Grant was
succeeded by Hayes, and to him Cor
don made the appeal that secured the
recognition of Hampton as the right
full and lawful Governor Of South
Carolina, bringing order out of chaos,
relieving the State from military
bondage, restoring the control and
direction of public affairs to the white
people, and placing the reins govern
ment in the hands Of capable and
honest officials.
1t was the matchless Gordon that
had come to the rescue Of the peerless
Hampton. Weary months Of waiting
and watching had passed, and Gorden
was our faithful sentinel at Washing
ton. The troops we're removed and
the carpet-bag dynasty fell to rise no
more. Though generation has come
and gone sice those eventful times, it
is not amiss in the shadow Of grief