Year: 1878

Neither the Government nor the people out
side of the Southern States know much of the
ruling policy of the whites there toward the
colored people who we're left in their midst at
the close of the war; There does not appear
to be any respect for the Constitution of the
United States, and especially for the guaran-
tees it extends to the black citizen of equal
rights before the law. The Democrats of the
South appear to be law unto themselves,
which, so far as it relates to the Republican,
white or black, is higher law than the Con-
stitution or the statutes of Congress. Indeed,
there is but very little recognized law in that
section of the country except that which can
be made to opp7ess and crush the freedman
into the very earth. Neither do the outrages
that have been, and are now being perpetra-
ted, find their way into the newspapers, lest
they shall become matters of public notoriety,
examination and comment. Neither the pub
lie journals nor the courts of some of the
Southern States take any cognizance of out
RACES and murders if the victim is black or
white Republican. 1t is the purpose of the
Democracy to wipe out every vestige of Re-
publicanism, if it has to be washed out with
human blood. The process is little slow,
but very sure, and the work is silently per-
formed, SO far as the press and the judiciary
are concerned. This statement may be denied
but it is nevertheless true, and susceptible of
proof, if the witnesses dared to tell the truth
and expose the real condition of things


We are in receipt of letter which has
been handed Us by the party to whom it is
written, which tells the tale in very humble
and truthful manner, and which we publish
below, for the reason that it is symptom of
the social and political disease that now pre-
walls in South Carolina. 1t is from colored
girl to her brother in this city:


YoRKv1LLE, 8. c., May "a, 1878.


DEAR BROTHER: wrote you sometime ago,
but have not got any answer. We are living in
the State of South Carolina. The Democrats are
very contrary and turbulent. They have gone
so far as to have people punished under the pre-
tence of sauciness. The intendant of this place
had young colored man hung up by the thumbs
for sauciness, as he termed it. There was an ex
cursion from this place to Chester, recently, at
which young white boy threw stone that
struck colored woman on the breast with such
force that she is since reported as dead. The
sheriff of the county made some inquiry into the
matter to ascertain if the woman was saucy to
the boy. This was the extent Of the inquiry and
the offense goes unpunished.


This is the condition of things into which we
are drifting. No law, no protection for the poor,
helpless freedmen and their wives and children.
matter about which we here have been asking
you. You must see the Minister of England and
see if that government will not help us to emil
CRATE to Canada. We are in a perilous position.
IF you were here you would see and know for
Yourself You must not be fooled about this
matter. They (the Democfats) are holding eau
cusses every night. Even the females are form
ing clubs against US. You must watch this
smoke of terrible darkness, and you may yet feel
it in Washington.


They (the white Democrats) are drilling at
night and seem to be making preparations for
war. There are none for US to speak to in this
place. neither colored nor white. The poor
whites are very mean now and there are many
Democratic "nigs," as they are termed, among
the whites. G. is very low spirited.


Here is mere glimpse behind the scenes
in South Carolina, but it shows that oppres-
sion is the ruling principle of action toward
the colored race in that State. 1t is simple,
but truthful. 1t tells what no South Carroll.
ma journal will reveal to the world-that the
whites are armed, are constantly drilling and
preparing for war. What occasion is there
for war preparations in South Carolina
Against whom do they propose to wage war
when they are fully prepared? Not among
themselves But be assured this forms a
part of the revolution which Potter and his
Democratic allies are incubating at the Ma
tional Capital to Gust the President and SUBJ
vert the Government to their own sordid pur-
poses The States of South Carolina, Missis.
sippi and Alabama, though ostensbly part
of this Union, are as exclusive and secretive
in their internal movements as they were du-
ring the rebellion. The people are sworn to
secrecy and the press is muzzled either by
fear or disloyalty, and the President is uncon'
sciously, to all human appearance, reposing
listlessly upon volcano that is liable to dis
turb him by it's upheavings at any day. He
may or he may not learn something to his
advantage if he will write to that "great and
good man, Wade Hampton" for information
regarding the plottings of the Democrats Of
his State against the validity of the Presiden-
tial title. The South, except nominally, does
not appear to be any more part and parcel
of this Union now than it was in 1852 1t
would be we'll fer the Administration to do
little investigation about these days. 1t may
ascertain something that will interest it.