The Marlboro democrat. [volume] (Bennettsville, S.C.) 1882-1908, 1904-01-22
A LEAF FROM HISTORY.
How General Gordon Camc to the
Aid OF General / II ampton.

Aid or General Hampton.
Col, Jas. Hoyt, editor sof the:
Greenyille; Monntaineer, 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 breastof every participant
in the great and trying campaign Of
1875, 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 vandals. The
noble Georgian's unselfish and un-
limited labors in aid of Hampton and
his followers will never be forgotten
while there isa 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 a 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 Ger. 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, iii
addition to these declarations. said
that he had come to stay until the
triumph was complete, whether Il
month or year would be requisite to
chair
The situation was extremely cr;t;-
cal wheE Gordon reached the capital
Of our State. The military occupa-
tion was being rendered more thorough
and dominating, and willie 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 IIamp-
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 a 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 obstrLc-
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
ful issue. 1t must be remembered
that he was United States Senator at
!luence 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 wasthe 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 were removed and
the carpet-bag dynasty fell to rise no
more. Though a generation has come
and gone sice those eventful times, it
is not amiSS in the shadow of grief
and lamentation to unfold the recol-
| lectiOns Of constant, voluntary, untir-
ing service rendered by Gore. :, IL
order that the youth of to-day may
appreciate the fact that unending
gratitntie is due from the people of
Carolina to their generous friend
who is now being laid to rest in his
native soil, and who after life's litful
fever has gone to join Wade Hampton
Robert f. Lee, Stonewall Jackson
and the rest of our faithful, heroic
leaders, who will welcome him on the
other shore. O, that his bravery in
peril, his loyalty to truth and his
devotion to righteousness might
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