Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, October 12, 1876, Image 2
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YORKVILLE, S. C.:
THURSDAY MORNING, OCT. 12, 1876.
LATEST WAVE OF THE BLOODY SHIRT.
In another column will be found a rather
startling proclamation issued last Saturday
by Governor Chamberlain, which, if we may
believe the charges and implications therein
contained, places a large and respectable number
of the citizens of this State in the position
of an armed mob, having for their aim the
promotion of illegal objects, the committing
of open acts of lawlessness and violence, and
the unlawful interference with the rights of
citizens. These formidable combinations aud
organizations, generally designated as Rifle
Clubs and Sabre Clubs, are commanded by
his Excellency to disband within three days
after the date of his proclamation, (the 7th
instant,) or he will proceed to put into active
force all the power which, as Governor, he is
invested, &c.
What may be meant by the disbanding of
men who are not congregated or assembled in
camp or a designated place of rendezvous,
who have committed no overt act, and who,
if armed at all. have, in most instances, pur
chased their arms at their own expense, is not
explained in the proclamation. We suppose,
however, the Governor nieaus to command
those companies not to assemble at any time
hereafter, with their arms, for the purpose of
drilling or target shooting, or any other purpose
for which they were organized. Without
stopping to discuss the very grave doubt
that may arise as to the authority of the
Governor to issue this command, any more
than his right to order a Democratic club not
to meet, or to say that a Democratic public
meeting shall not assemble, or even to say
that a particular branch of the Christian
church throughout the State shall close
its doors, our advice to those clubs is to
strictly obey the command enjoined in the
proclamation, in so far as relates to the existence
of the clubs as quasi military organizations.
Our information is to the effect that
all, or nearly all, of these clubs having arms,
have procured them at their own expense.
Each member owning a gun, whether it be a
- hint-lock blunderbuss, a Spencer rifle or an
Austrian needle-gun, can claim that arm as
his own private property, the same as his
watch or spectacle-case; ana in tne quiet,
peaceable possession of this article of private
property, the Constitution of the United
States, which guarantees to the people the right
to keep and bear arms, will, should the time
arrive to invoke that aid, afford every needful
protection. The owner can, therefore, retaiu
his gun or his sabre, and of course he
will do so, while, during the present crisis, it
will be no inconvenience to the members of
Kifle or Sabre Clubs to forego their stated
meetings for drill or other exercise.
Our counsel in this matter is not offered in
a spirit of abjectness, nor would we be understood
as cringing under a tyranical command
issued by an executive to subserve his own
personal aims or to promote the success of his
political party; but rather would we counsel
moderation on the part of the people, and
urge upou them the importance, in the excitement
of the present canvass, not to give the
slightest pretext for further usurpation of
authority, which can possibly result in no
good.
TK ero flpfl rortnin riorhtu hfiWfiVflr. of which
the citizen cannot, by the most tyrannical
stretch of authority, be deprived. The right
for citizens to peaceably assemble for political
discussion and advisement cannot be wiped
out by the mere stroke of a gubernatorial
pen ; nor can the same power dictate to the
citizens the particular manner in which they
shall attend a public meeting. They may
ride or they may walk ; they may go in twos,
fours or fifties, so long as they demean themselves
as quiet, law-abiding citizens; they
may carry banners and torches and huzzah
for the candidates of their choice, and there
is none to make tbem afraid; and, more important
still, they will have the privilege on
the 7th of next month to vote, in the exercise
of which inalienable right, the freeman,
regardless of race, color or previous condition,
will remember the blow aimed to reduce
the citizen to servility more degrading than
abject slavery.
r j Al_ . n
in regaru to me vjovernura piucmiuauuu,
the State Democratic Executive Committee,
have issued the following address:
Headquarters State
Democratic Executive Committee,
Columbia, S. C., October 7, 1876.
To the People of the United -State* :
In a period of profound peace, with the laws
unresisted, and the process of the courts unopposed,
the Governor of South Carolina has, by
proclamation, declared that in the counties of
Aiken and Barnwell it has become impracticable
to enforce,by the ordinary course of judicial proceeding,
the*laws of the State, and that it has become
necessary for him, as Governor, "to call
forth and employ the military force of the State
to enforce the faithful execution of the law." He
lias also alleged that certain organizations and
combinations exist, contrary to law, in all the
counties of the State, which are engaged in promoting
illegal objects and in committing open
acts of lawlessness and violence, and he lias
threatened to declare martial law and to suspend
the writ of habeas corpus.
The charges preferred by Governor Chainlierlain
against the citizens of the State are as false
and libelous as his threatened usurpation of power
is tyrannical and unwarranted; and his extraordinary
proclamation can be explained only upon
the assumption that Governor Chamberlain, with
a similar disregard of law and fact, is determined
to resort to the most extreme measures to prevent
the otherwise certain defeat of himself and
hi# corrupt party.
There have been disturbances in Aiken coun4
- ? rtliorordfit. ThfiV ll?VA
ly, IlOU-JXmuum ill tuvu vuai . j.MV(7 ..v., v
long since ceased. All the parties for whom warrants
were issued have promptly surrendered
themselves to the law. Perfect peace and the
profoundest quiet prevail. No armed combinations
hinder the processes of the courts, and the
Republican County Convention last week held a
continuous session of two days without molestation.
The disturbances in Barnwell were Republican
in their origin, beginning in the resistance,
by an armed band of negroes, of the arrest
of a robber for whom a warrant had been duly
issued. This band tore up a railroad, wrecked a
train, lired upon and wounded the Sherilf of the
county, and were dispersed by a so-called band
of whites who had been duly summoned bv the
.Sheritf as a posse, with the sanction of tho Judge
of the Court then in session. This posse, after
performing their duties, quietly dispersed. So far
from opposing the law, the whole people desire
the prompt despatch of business in the courts,
and the enforcement of the law by the civil arm.
The white people throughout the State have
volunteered their services to the Governor to
maintain the law, and he has refused them in a
libelous communication, intended solely to furnish
a pretext for the introduction ofr Federal
troops, to be placed under the control of irresponsible
and unscrupulous officials, to overawe the
people andcontrol the election.
The Democratic nominees in seventeen of the
thirty-two counties in the State have held meetings,'attended
by thousands of citizens of both
rais* anil parties. The Republicans have hold
meetings when and where they pleased, and not
a single act of violence has yet occurred.
On the 18th ultimo, the Democratic Executive
Committee invited tho Republican canvassers to
a joint discussion at their meetings. This invitation
was renewed on theLStti ultimo, and accepted
!>y the Republican Executive Committee on the
ltii instant, upon the usual terms. The proclamation
of the Governor is utterly at variance with
the action of the Executive Committee of Uic oh'H
The latter acquisces in free discussion,
;rli?r^mier in effect suppresses debate and substituteslh^ed
force for free speech.
\Vn assert^^tly, with a fuJJ nejjso of our re
9ponsibility, that no condition of things exists in j
the State which justifies so extraordinary a pro- i
ceeding on the part of Governor Chamberlain, i
j Its solo object is to irritate and provoke collisions,
| which may be the excuse for an appeal to the administration
of the United States to garrison tho
j State. We shall counsel our pooplo to proservo
i the peace, obey tho laws and calmly await the day
j of their deliverance from this wanton despotism.
To the people of the United States wo submit
our wrongs, confidently relying on their wisdom
I and justice to rebuke this daring attempt to regu,
late the ballot by the bayonet and crush tho liberties
of a people. A. C. HASKKLL,
T. B. FRASER,
JOHN BRATTON,
J. D. KENNEDY,
J. A. HOYT,
R. O'NEALE, Jn.,
State Democratic Executive Committee.
In connection with the above address, is
published letters from a number of leading
and undoubted Republicans, in reply to inquiries
as to their opinion of the manner in
| which the Democratic party is conducting the
: campaign. To a letter of this character from
! Wade Hampton, his Honor F. J. Moses,
Chief Justice, replies as follows :
Sumtkr, S. C., October 7, 1876.
My Dear Sir?I am just in receipt of your
noto and at once reply to'the same. For the last
three or four months I have not been in any of
the counties but those of Sumter and Richland.
Within that period, I have been present at only
two political meetings?one hold by the Republican
party, and the other to-day, at this place, by
the Democrats. Although I was at the latter but
a short time, I was for the greater part of the day
in the streets, with every opportunity of observing
the behavior and demeanor of the large concourse
which the occasion had brought together.
The collection consisted of citizens on foot and on
horseback. I saw in no instance any exhibition
of arms or any behavior inconsistent with the
strictest propriety. At the Republican meeting,
to which I have above referred, there was no attempt
at interruption.
I shall require very strong evidence to satisfy
} me that South Carolina is an armed camp. I
know of nothing that would lead me so to conclude.
For myself I do not know of anything
wbieb would make me doubtful in any pa? ? of the
State of enjoying the same security which I feel
attaches to me under my own roof.
I trust the day is far distant when violations of
the peacein our own borders will require the interference
of any arm more potent than that of
the law. Very respectfully yours,
F. J. MOSES.
General Wade Hampton.
Hon. A. J. Willard, Associate Justice of
the Supreme Court, having been addressed on
the same subject, by Mr. Haskell, Chairman
of the State Democratic Executive Committee,
made the following reply :
Colombia, October?, 1S7C.
Col. A. C. Haskkll, Dear Sir: Your nolo of
this date is beforeme, asking an expression of my
views as to the existence of rancor and manifestations
of violence in the character of the Democratic
canvass in this State.
I am unable to throw much light on this subject,
for two reasons. In the tirst place, 1 have
been absent from the State for the last three
months, and only a week has passed since my return
to the city. In the second placo, my ideas
of the character and responsibilities of the judicial
office have led me at all times to abstain from participating
in political action, and accordingly I
have little information except that derived from
public rumor and the newspapers, of what has
transpired at political gatherings.
I can only say that I have witnessed nothing
beyond the circumstances generally characteristic
of an excited political canvass. I "have seen no
violence; on the contrary, so far as I have had
intercourse with gentlemen of your party, I have
observed less disposition to excited statohient and
personal bitterness than during any of the previous
political campaigns of this State.
I sincerely hope that the fear of many that the
lawloss portion of tho community will be permitIrwl
tn diufnrh f.lin nnncfi and initirn tho (rood name
of tho State, are groundless. I am satistied that it
is the intention of the leading members of your
party to prevent such a stato of things, and i believe
they have the ability to do so. Very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
A. J. WILLARD.
His Honor, Judge T. J. Mackey, of the
Sixth Judicial Circuit, having been addressed
on the same subject, makes a lengthy re
ply, in which he says that peace and order
prevail throughout the limits of the Sixth
Circuit, embracing the counties of York,
Chester, Fairfield and Lancaster. In this
circuit no armed organizations obstruct judicial
proceedings and no resistance has been
offered to the due execution of legal process.
He .then recites a portion of his charge to the
j c v-.l ii? * e *1... rv...
graua jury ox j.or&, ui me tenu ui mcvuuik
held last week, and reports the case of Ed
ward McDonald, colored, (to be found in
our Court proceedings,) which, his Honor
says, is the only case of political intimidation
that has transpired in this circuit. He then
solemnly protests agaiust the proclamation of
Governor Chamberlain as absolutely false, in
so far as it imputes to the inhabitants within
the limits of this circuit any purpose to obstruct
the ordinary course of judicial proceedings,
or to resist, in any manner, the due
execution of the laws for the protection of
life, property, or the rights of citizenship;
and he further says that he has good and
sufficient reason for believing, and does believe,
that the said proclamation is equally
false in imputing such insurrectionary purpose
to the white population of other sections
of the State. The Rifle Clubs ordered disbanded,
he says, are, in the main, organizations
chartered under the act of the Repub'*
T . _.?? 10T4 1 _11 il,?m
lican J_/eglSiaiure U1 lOlt, nuu all ui uiciu ;
are acting but in the assertion of the right of
the people to keep and bear arms, guaranteed
against infringement by the second article of
amendments to the Constitution of the United
States, and all assert their loyalty to the
Union, and obedience to its laws, and respect
and uphold its flag.
His Honor, Thompson H. Cooke, Judge of
the Eighth Circuit, writes the following on
the same subject:
Columria, S. C., October 7, 187<>.
Col. A. C. Haskell, Chairman, Ac., Dear ;
Sir:?I have just read the proclamation of Gover- i
nor Chamberlain as to a reign of terror in this
State, and inability to enforce the laws through
| the ordinary channel, and I must say that the
I causes alleged for issuing the same do not apply
I to the Eighth Circuit, over which I preside. Nor i
] do I believe they have any existence as to any |
other portion of the State, lam, very respectfully,
THOMPSON H. COOKE. j
j On the other hand, D. T. C'orbin, United j
I States District Attorney tor tins fttate, writes ,
j a letter to Governor Chamberlain, depicting j
! a terrible state of affairs in Aiken county, j
i having, he says, spent three days investigating j
the general condition of affairs in that county, I
and tekiug the affidavits of a considerable i
number of the citizens from different parts of!
the county. After describing the organiza-,
i tion of the Rifle Clubs in Aiken county, which, |
in regard to officers and mode of drilling, he !
| says, is substantially after the manner of uiili- i
j tary companies in the United States army, he
I concludes his letter with the followiug asser- j
iions:
These clubs have created and are causing a per- j
I feet reign of terror. The colored men are, many
j of them, lying out of doors and away from their j
homes at night. Many of them have been kill-j
ed, and many have been taken from their beds at
! night and mercilessly whipped, and others have !
! l)eon hunted with threats of murdor and whip- {
j ping, who thus far, by constant watchfulness and
! activity, have escaped. The white men of these I
i clubs are riding day and night, and the colored
I men are informed that their only safety from !
death or whipping lies in their signing an agreement
pledging themselves to vote tbo democratic (
ticket in the coming election. From the best in
; formation I could obtain in tlio tnno J was m ;
I Aiken, I lix tho number of colored men killed in
; this county alone, by white men ofthc.se clubs,
1 during the past three woeks, at thirteen certainly,
and at probably twenty-livo or thirty. The civil
i arm of the government in this county is as powerless
as the wind to prevent these atrocities. |
The sheriff of tho county, if disposed, daro not
I attempt to arrest the perpetrators of these crimes
for fear of his own lile being taken, lie did not, |
as I am credibly informed, go within seven miles
, 1 of the eight hundred men (so estimated by United
States army officers who saw them) assem'
bled under tho command of A. P. Butler, near
, Rouso's bridge, and marching upon a crowd of
colored men there, whom they had surrounded
and intended, as scores of them allege, to kill. j
11 In conclusion I have only to say that the con;
dition of atfairs in Aiken county rivals the worst
demonstrations of the ku klux klan in 1870 and
, i 1871.
In my judgment you owe it to yourself as
Governor and to the people of the State to oxer- ,
j eise, and at once, all the powers vested in you as j
, Governor of the State, to put down tills deplora- |
, ble state of affairs. Very respectfully,
D. T. CORBIN,
fl. S. District Attorney for South Carolina.
'Ilte.iQR^ludiug paragraph is the gist of the
.1 District Attorney'# letter, and upon the sug
gestions contaiued therein, Governor Cham- j
berlain will no doubt act, by suspending the
writ of habeas corpus and causing the arrest j
of citizens of that county, and perhaps in ;
other portions of the State.
SOUTH CAROLINA NEWS.
? The Gruber family are giving entertainments
in Abbeville, for the benefit of the
Savannah sufferers.
? Governor Chamberlain, in his reply to
Col. Ha kell, Chairman of the State Democratic
Executive Committee, makes the declaration
that F. J. Moses, Jr., has resigned
his claims to the jugdeship of the third circuit.
? Two colored men in Blackville, went out
to fight a duel one day last week, but when
they reached the ground concluded that it
wasn't such an easy thing to stand fire, and
changed their minds.
? Mr. Charles H. Moise, has assumed editorial
control of the Sumter True Southron.
Mr. Moise is an accomplished scholar and a
ready writer, and will do valiaut service for
the cause of reform and good government in
South Carolina.
? Capt. Harris Covington, a prominent
lawyer of Bennetsville, died at his home in
that town last week. He was a member of
the Legislature of 1866, and the Democratic
candidate for Congress agaiust Whitteraore,
in 1868.
? The Union-Herald of Monday contains
the following editorial paragraph : "We learn
that Major Lewis Merrill, United States army,
who has recently been on duty at the Centennial,
has been assigned to duty in this State,
and will reach Columbia at au early day, and
proceed to Aiken, Barnwell and Edgefield
Court House for duty."
? Under the head of "Pistols for Columbia,"
the Richmond Dispatch says: "On Saturday
morning while the Southern Express
agents were transferring a lot of freight shipped
from New York to Columbia, S. C., one
of the cases was accidentally broken open by
reason of its weight, and a large number of
United States army pistols rolled out. There
were two other cases of pistols in the same
lot of freight for Columbia, addressed to different
parties. Are they going to have war
in South Carolina ?"
? On Thursday last, the Democratic County
Convention of Charleston, nominated the
following ticket: State Sencior?Col. Chas. H.
Simouton. Representatives?Captain Jacob
Small, Col. B. H. Rutledge, Mr. Jas. McElroy,
Mr. W. J. Parker, (colored,) Mr. John
S. Horlbeck, Mr. B. Bollmann, Mr. B. Callahan,
Mr. S. C. Eckhardt, (colored,) Capt. C.
C. White, John F. Ficken, Esq., Mr. S. Porcher
Smith, Mr. R. Birnie, (colored,) Mr. F.
Conner, Mr. T. B. Hacker, Mr. P. B. Drayton,
(colored,) Mr. S. D. Hutson, Rev. Joshua
Garrett, (colored.) Clerk of Court?Jacob
Williman, Esq. Probate Judge?Hon. Geo.
Buist. Coroner?Mr. C. Kerrieon, Jr. School
Commissioner?Mr. E. M. Grimke. Sheriff?
Capt. Alex. Melchers. County Commissioners?Mr.
T. S. Browning, Mr. C. C. Leslie,
(colored,) Capt. Phil. Fogarty.
GENERAL POLITICAL NEWS.
? A careful and trustworthy canvass of the
State of New York has just been completed
by the Democratic State committee. Mr.
tf !i_ .!_! xL-i *1,^
iviagone, us ciiainuau, auya mai mc ucuucrats
are receiving large accessions from the
Repuplicau party in every county, the largest
proportion being in the agricultural distritcs,
and that the canvass shows that such
accessions amount to about ten per cent, of
the Republican vote. The leaders of the
State Democracy say with the utmost confidence
that Tilden will have 75,000 majority
in the State. While one of them was giving
the reporter these figures in the Everertt
House, on Friday, Governor Tilden, entering,
said: 'I don't see how the majority can be
any less, and if Ohio and Indiana do what we
expect them to do, it will be larger.' Concerning
the effect of the result in those States,
Governor Tilden added: 'If the Democrats
carry both Ohio and Indiana the battle will be
easily won. If we carry Indiana and the Republicans
carry Ohio, there will Be a good fight
all along the line. If we lose both those
States we will have to fight hard, but I think
we will be succcessful.' Governor Tilden predicted
a victory in the Indiana election, and
was confident of one in Ohio.
+ ^ * ___
MERE-MENTION.
The official count gives the Republicans of
Maine a majority of 14,384, a falling off from
the elections of the previous year Town
elections in the vicinity of Hartford, Cenn.?
show gains for the Radicals. It is
proposed to close the Centennial Exhibition
with a grand reunion of all the States in
November. Dispatches received from
Colorado and New Mexico, report that a serious
Indian outbreak is threatened. Nobody
is allowed to speak at Queen Victoria's
table except to reply to her The Republicans
claim the election in Colorado by 1,200
majority ; though a dispatch received at Democratic
headquarters in New York on Saturday
night, claims a Democratic majority of
500 Ninety-two counties in Georgia
give Colquitt, Democratic candidate for Governor,
sixty thousand majority. The Senate
will contain one Republican, and the House
of Representatives six.
PROCLAMATION.
State of South Carolina,
n
EXECUTIVE
Whereas it has been made known to me,
by written and sworn evedeuce, that there
exist such unlawful obstructions, combinations
and assemblages of persons in the counties of
Aiken and Barnwell, that it has become impracticable,
in my judgmeut, as Governor of
the State, to enforce by the ordinary course of
judicial proceedings the laws of the State
within said counties; by reason whereof, it has
become necessary, in my judgment, as Gov-|
ernor, to call forth and employ the military
force of the State to enforce the faithful exe-1
cution of the laws ; |
And whereas, it has been made known to i
me, as Governor, that certain organizations j
and combinations of men exist in all the !
counties of the State, commonly known as '
"Kifle Clubs;" # _ I
Aud whereas, such organizations and com- I
biuations of men are illegal aud strictly for- i
bidden by the laws of the State ;
And whereas, such organizations ana combinations
of men are engaged in promoting
illegal objects and iu committing open acts of
lawlessness and violence;
Now, therefore, I, Dauiel H. Chamberlain,
Governor of said State, do issue this, my proclamation,
as required by the 13th Section of!
Chapter 132 of the General Statutes of the !
State, commanding the said unlawful cornbi- j
nations and assemblages of persons in the ;
counties of Aiken and Barnwell to disperse J
and retire peaceably to their homes within 1
three days from the date of this proclamation, !
and henceforth to abstain from all unlawful I
interference with the rights of citizens and
from all violations of the public peace.
And I do further, by this proclamation,
forbid the existence of all said organizations
or combinations of men commonly known as
"Ritfe Clubs," and all other organizations or
combinations of men or formations, not form-1
ing a part of the organized militia of the State,
which are armed with firearms or other weapons
of war, or which engage in or formed for
the purpose of engaging in drilling, exercising
the manual of arms or military manoeuvres,
or which appear or are formed for the purpose
of appearing under arms or under the
command of officers bearing the titles or assuming
the functions of ordinary military officers,
or in any other manner acting or proposing
to act as organized and armed bodies
of men; and I do command all such organizations,
combinations, formations or bodies of
men forthwith to disband and cease to exist
in any place or under any circumstances in
the State.
And I do further declare and make known
by this proclamation, to all the people of this
State, that in case this proclamation shall be
disregarded for the space of three days from
the date thereof, I shall proceed to put into
active use all the powers with which, as Governor,
I am invested by the constitution and
laws of the State for the enforcement of the
laws and the protection of the rights ot tne
citizens, and particularly the powers conferred
on me by Chapter CXXXII of the General
Statutes of the State, as well as by the Constitution
of the United States.
In witness whereof I have hereunto set nay
hand and caused the great seal of the
State to be affixed, at Columbia, this
[l. s.] 7th day of October, A. D., 1876, and
in the 101st year of American Independence.
By the Governor:
D. H. CHAMBERLAIN.
H. E. Hayne, Secretary of State.
THE JOINT DISCUSSION.
gov. chamberlain's reply to col. Haskell's
invitation.
The Union-Herald of Thursday afternoon
last, contains Governor Chamberlain's reply
to the letter of Col. Haskell, chairman of the
State Democratic Executive Committee, inviting
him to meet Gen. Hampton in joint discussion
before the people. It is a very long
document, filling twelve columns and a half
of that paper in fine print. The great length
of the reply prevents us from giving it entire to
the readers of the Enquirer, but present the
following synopsis prepared for the Nem and
Courier:
At the outset the Governor acknowledges
the respectful terms in which Col. Haskell's
letter is framed, but thinks the challenge
should have been addressed to the chairman
of the Republican executive committee. He
has informed the latter that he is ready, as
soon as his official duties will permit, to meet
Gen. Hampton in joint discussion.
He says that Col. Haskell's statements as
to the spirit of the Democratic party, and the
charges quoted from the New York Sun, World
and Tribune, cover the whole field of the present
political controversy. The statements
made in the Sun and World are wholly untrue
and unfounded, and he is in no way responsible
for Patterson's statements and views.
He reviews the last two years' administration
and claims to have carried out all the reforms
promised ; in proof of which he refers
to the utterances of leading citizens and of the
public press, giving extracts from the closing
article in the News and Courier's record of
Governor Chamberlain. He claims that he
was renominated as a Reformer by a two-third
mamfian fViof Ua on/mrorl tVio
VUW3 U1 tUD bUU VC1JV1UU i tilUli uv ovvuivm vuv
adoption of articles four, six, and seven of the
State Republican platform, and invites a comparison
of this with the Democratic platform.
He claims that his renomination as a reformer
and the reform platform are a sufficient answer
to Col. Haskell's charge of inconsistency
in accepting the reDomiDation.
He knows no public cause of complaint
against his associates on the State ticket, except
that two of them opposed his course as
Governor, and, in Elliott's case, he compares
his relations with him to those between Tilden
and Hendricks. -'Moreover, though he did uot
approve of or consent to Elliott's nomination,
Elliott has since cordially pndoreed the work
of the convention in renominating him,
(Chamberlain) and in pledging reform. He
reaffirms all he has ever said concerning Moses
and Whipper, and claims that they, and all
who go with them, have been unloaded.
"This," he says, "has been accomplished by
the Republican party, for whatever I have
done is chargeable to the credit of the Republican
party, which has now endorsed and renominated
me." He next reviews the struggle
of the Conservatives and Straight-outs for
the control of the Democratic Convention, and
declares that the success of the Straight-outs
was the success of the Edgefield or Mississippi
plan, and warrants him in declaring that the
present struggle by the Democratic party is
to gain the political control of the State for
the sake of political power and advantage.
He then denies the peaceful character claimed
for the conduct of Democrats at public meetings,
and gi ves a long account of his experience
at Edgefield, Newberry, Abbeville, Midway
and Lancaster. At Edgefield, he says, he
was compelled to divide time in order to avoid
bloodshed. The whites were nearly all openly
armed, and some carried pistols in their
hands. At Abbeville, when he attempted to
speak concerning Hamburg, pistols were cocked
by white men who crowded towards him on
the stand. The accounts given of the meetings
at all the above named places is very
dark indeed, and represents the white people
as violent in the extreme, and as having perpetrated
every kind of insult, barely short of
actual physical violence. He next takes up
the Democratic plan of proscription, quoting
at great length from the editoi-ials and correspondence
of the various State papers, the resolutions
of the ward clubs, (fee., to show that the
Democratic party has adopted and is carrying
out a systematic plan of social and political
proscription with the set and avowed purpose
of forcing men to vote contrary to their
convictions and wishes, and gives several sections
of the revised statutes to prove that it
violates the law of the State. He refers to '
the existing sabre and rifle clubs as the basis
of a political organization, and a prominent
agency in the canvass, and quotes the revised
statutes again to show that they are forbidden
by law. He then proceeds to instances of actual
violence by these clubs, and reviews the
Hamburg case as a wanton butchery of unresisting
prisoners. He believes that the chief
PUoxloofAn rint roofQ roifVi
ICOpUUQlUUltJ 1U1 LUC VUOIICOLVU tivv *vuw ?
the Republicans; "it was inexcusable and disgraceful,
but it was subdued by the Republican
authorities. It has fastened a bloody
blot on the party that caused it." The origin
and cause of the Ellenton riot is not definitely
known, but it has been clearly proved that
nearly all the colored men were killed, not
while resisting the execution of the law, or any
legal process, or while violating the peace, or
threatening or attempting violence, but were
shot down in the fields, woods and cabins, and
wherever found. He is informed that forty
or fifty were killed, and is led to believe that
the killing has not yet ceased, three instances
of a later date being given. He attributes all
the violence to white Democratic agencies,
and decliues to call upon the Democrats to
suppress these disorders solely because the
Democratic party are the authors of the disturbances.
It would be like setting wolves to
guard sheep, and he will never yield to such
a demand. He cannot call upon colored RerMilillnono
oilnnruco tliam as tMs WIMlld DTe
I'UUllVKtliO UV ou|/^/4 vob v u vuj j MW ?? ? --r- j- cipitate
ft conflict. "In such an emergency,"
he says, "my only reliance must be upon United
States troops." He concludes as follows :
"The Executive of the United States will do
bis duty aqd I will do mine, and it shall be
seen by the World whether the right to a free
ballot can be trampled under foot by any
combination or party of men in this State,"
?= Iowa has been tickled nearly to death to
think that an ear of Iowa corn has been carried
back to Brazil by Dom Pedro, because
the emperor, appearing to be amazed and delighted
with the remarkable size and appearance
of Iowa corn, begged an ear atone of the
stations on the Burlington and Missouri River
Railway while passing through the State.
It has since transpired that the imperial party
were learning the American game of poker,
and only wanted that corn for checks.
LOCAL AFFAIRS.
CHURCH CALENDAR.
Services for Snnday, October 15th, 1876.
PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH,
Rev. L. H. Wilson, Pastor.
Services at Yorkville at 10$ o'clock, a. m., and 8
o'clock, p. m.
METHODIST EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
Rev. J. E. Carlisle, Pastor.
Services at Yorkville, at 10$ o'clock a. m., and 8
o'clock, p. in.
EPISCOPAL CHURCH,
Rev. R. P. Johnson, Pastor.
Services at Rock Hill, at 10$ o'clock a. ra., and 8
o'clock, p. m.
ASSOCIATE REFORMED CHURCH.
Rev. R. Lathan, Pastor.
Services at Yorkville, at 10$ o'clock, a. m., and 4 1
o'clock, p. in.
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.
T. W. Clawson?Seed Wheat and Oats for Sale.
Latimer <fc Hemphill?New Goods?CrockeryCotton.
M. Strauss?New Goods at Bottom Prices.
John C. Kuykendal?Simmons' Hepatic Compound?A
Change?Gold Basis?Eureka?
500 nounds of Bluestone.
R. H. Glenn, 8. Y. C.?Judge of Probate's Sale.
J. H. Olawson and Allen Jones?Assignees' Sale,
In Bankruptcy?In the matter of B. F.
Rawlinson, Bankrupt. I
J. A. McLean, Jndgeof Probate?Notice to Creditors
of Thomas Whitesides, deceased.
John C. Kuykendal?Manhattan Fire Insurance
Company of New York.
H. F. Adickes?Bargains. ,
J. W. P. Hope?Notice.
Jefferys <fe Metts, Agents?Close of the Cotton
Option.
Hart <fe Hart?Piano for Sale.
DESTRUCTION OF COTTON.
Last Saturday evening, while a train on
the Chester and Lenoir railroad, loaded with
cotton, was on the way to Gastonia, the cotton
in one of the cars caught on fire from a
spark, and the car, with nearly all the cotton
it contained, was destroyed. Loss, about
SI,200.
PHRENOLOGY.
Dr. W. H. Barker, the famous phrenologist,
will deliver a course of seven lectures on 1
the above subject, in the Court House, commencing
this (Wednesday) evening at 8 1
o'clock, and intermitting Friday night.
.Next week, be will lecture on Monday, mesday,
Wednesday, Thursday and Friday nights.
The lectures are free to all who desire to
attend, and the ladies are specially invited, i
The Doctor is an entertaining lecturer, and
those who go to hear him will be both instruct- 1
ed and amused.
DIPHTHERIA IN THE COUNT*.
This fatal disease has been quite prevalent
for several weeks past in the eastern portion
of the county, including Rock Hill and Fort
Mill, though we learn it is now abating.
Among the deaths reported to as at the latter
place, is the infant of F. H. Johnson, aged
about 18 months; and last week two of A. 8.
White's children?Mary, aged 9 years, and
Joseph Franklin, aged 6?died of the same
disease. Mr. J. M. Ivy and Rev. Mr. Munnerlyn,
of Rock Hill, each had a child to die
of the Bame disease, both of which were interred
on Sunday last.
?
THE t ALL TKAUEi.
Mr. M. Strauss has returned from market,
and is now receiving his fall purchase of goods.
Mr. Latimer, of the firm of Latimer &
Hemphill, has also returned from the North,
and that firm are receiving their new goods.
Mr. Hunter, of the firm of Hunter & Oates, i
Mr. Dobson of the firm of T. M. Dobson &
Co., and Col. W. H. McCorkle, started to the
Northern markets last week for the purpose
of making their fall stock purchases. H.
F. Adickes and H. W. Hope & Co., are also
receiving their fall goods. Mr. Joseph Herndon,
of the grocery house of W. H. & J. P.
Herndon, has also been North for the purpose
of purchasing goods, and Clark Brothers,
H. F. Adickes, Jr., and John J. Smith, grocers,
are augmenting their stocks for the fall
trade.
RESOLUTIONS OF THANK8.
A finely-engraved copy of a preamble and
resolution of thanks, adopted by St. John's
Lodge, and other Masonic Lodges of London,
Ontario, Canada, expressive of the feelings
of said Lodges towards Philanthropic Lodge,
No 78, A. F. M., of this place, in regard to
the kindness of the Lodge extended to Worshipful
Brother, Richard Booth, of Canada,
during the illness which terminated his life f
while on a visit here last Spring, was received
by Dr. J. C. Kuykendal last Saturday evening.
Besides the tender and affectionate sen- <
tiraents of brotherly love in which the resolu- <
tions are couched, the copy referred to, which '
will adorn the lodge-room of Philanthropic '
Lodge, is a work of rare beauty, being as fine J
a specimen of pen-work as we have ever
seen, and handsomely mounted in a most i
elaborate gilt frame, 33x38 inches, and 8 in- I
ches in depth. The resolutions are dedicated i
to Worshipful Master A. Coward, J. C. Kuykendal,
J. F. Wallace and J. Ed. Jeffereys, j
Committee, and are signed by a committee of j
St. John's Lodge, composed of John Wright, i
W. M., James Moffat, P. D. G. M., A. B. '
Grier, 8. W., and couutersigned by M. D. '
Dawson, P. M , Secretary.
CIRCUIT COURT. ,
The Circuit Court for York county adjourn- i
ed at about 2 o'clock last Thursday morning, i
after disposing of all the cases on the sessions
docket?twenty-four in number. In addition i
to those reported in our last issue, the follow- (
ing were tried: ,
State t?s. Monroe Roddy, colored ; rape and
assault with intent to ravish. Verdict?guilty.
State vs. Charles Moore alias Bill Murphy, i
colored; grand larceny. Pleaded guilty. 1
State vs. Anderson Wallace, colored ; murder.
The prisoner established the proof that
the act of killing was done in self-defence, and
the case was submitted without argument,
whereupon the jury returned a verdict of not j
guilty.
State vs. Andrew Jordan and Green Jordan,
colored; assault and political intimidation.
The complainant in this case was Reuben Seigie,
a colored citizen, who alleged that he had
been assaulted and intimidated by the accused
on account of his being a member of the Democratic
party ; but failing to make his oase
sufficiently strong, a verdict of not guilty was
returned,
State vs. Edward McDonald, colored ; assault
and political intimidation. The complainant,
Henry Lowry, of color, a Democrat,
claimed to have been intimidated by the accused
on account of his political principles.
Verdict?guilty.
With the last-named case, the docket was
ended, and the Court then pronounced the
following sentences:
Jefferson Hall, colored; burglary and larceny.
Two years at hard labor in the penitentiary.
Dock Ward, colored; rape and assault.
Twenty years at hard labor in the penitentiary.
Charles Moore, alias Bill Murphy, colored ;
two cases of house breaking and larceny.
Sentenced in one r ise to five years, and in the
other to three years hard labor in the penitentiary.
Jamea Davie, colored; assault and battery.
One dollar fine and costs, or forty days in
jail. We erroneously stated last week that
this defendant was found guilty of manslaughter.
i
Henry Webb, white; grand larceny. Ten
years at bard labor in the penitentiary.
Monroe Roddy, colored; rape and assault
with intent to ravish. Ninety-nine years at
hard labor in the penitentiary.
Edward McDonald, colored; assault and
political intimidation. Three months in
county jail.
A number of other sentences were pronounced
in trivial cases, rangiug from one
hour to forty days in the county jail.
The following is the report of the grand
jury, as read in open Court on Wednesday afternoon
:
To the Honorable T. J. Mackey, Presiding
Judge of the Sixth Circuit
The Grand Jury of this Court respectfully
submit their report as follows:
That we have diligently examined into all
matters pertaining to our duties, as instructed
by your Honor. We have examined the
books and accounts of the different public officers
of this county, and find them correctly
kept up to the 1st day of October, 1876, with
the exception of those of Trial Justice P. T.
Murray. We have to report that the said P.
T. Murray has neglected to docket upon his
book, and to report to this jury, the case of
State vs. Daniel Moore, who was tried and
convicted of the charge of assault and battery
before the said Trial Justice, and who was
discharged from custody after paying to the
said Trial Justice the sum of nine dollars and
fifty cents, in full of fine and costs.
We have examined the county jail and find
the same in proper order; and that the prisoners
therein are well cared for by Sheriff
Glenn, as to food, bed clothing and the other
comforts of a properly kept prison.
We are also pleased to report that we find
the Poor House of the county properly kept,
and favorably commend the keeper, Mr. Jas.
Dillingham, for the excellent manner in
which he discharges his duties in caring for
the poor of the county. There are thirtyfour
paupers on the list, all of whom appear
to be well cared for. The stock belonging to
the Poor House are also in good condition.
There remain on hand, of last year's crop,
five (5) bales of cotton, which this jury recommended
to be sold, in our last report; and
now renew the same. The crops raised on
the place this year will be five or six bales or
cotton and about four hundred bushels of
corn.
The Baptist denomination request pertaission
to erect a Baptist Church on a lot of one
and a half acres of the land belonging to the
Baid Poor House, for the beneht of the pauEers;
Baid denomination paying the cost of
uilding the Baine, and guaranteeing that the
Baid lot will be used only for the said purpose.
Which request *ye recommend be granted to
them by the proper authorities.
We beg leave to present to the proper consideration
of your Honor, that complaint has
been made unto us, that one Rufus Dobson,
who has a small store in Ebenezer township,
at a place known as Douglas' stand, is engaged
in the traffic of com and seed cotton,
buying the same both in the day and night
time, and in whatever quantity offered, to the
great annoyance and damage of the honest
farmers of that portion of the county ; he,
thereby encouraging, in our opinion, the theft
of said articles. We are informed that last
fall, he began thus buying late in the season,
yet accumulated, in this way, twelve (12) bales
of cotton during that fall; and that this season
he openly announces, against the earnest
protest of bis neighbors, that bis purchases of
Baid articles last fall was small, but that this
season he intended to deal on a large scale.
In view of the above facts, we deem it oar
duty to present the said Rufus Dobson and
his store as a curse and a nuisance to that
portion of this county, and ask that the proper
proceedings be instituted to abate the same.
Complaint has also been made unto us that
one Major Ramsey, living in this county, on
the lands of Calvin Whisonant, on Wolf
creek, is engaged in the sale of whisky without
having the proper license.
The roads of the county are, as a general
thing, in good order; with the exception of
the Pinckney Ferry road, from the five mile
post to Turkey creek. Said portion of the
road is in an almost impassable condition,
and is, moreover, too narrow, and we recommend
that the proper authorities have it properly
widened and repaired.
In obedience to the special instructions of
your Honor, given us at the last April term
of the Court, to inquire generally into the
management and disposition of the fund
arising from the tax, known as the ku-klux
tax, we have, at this time, further inquired
into the said matter ; but have not yet been
able to give it the thorough examination,
which the developments so f*r warrant us in
saying it demands. We have not had the
time.
We find that Rachel Leech and her children,
who are among the beneficiaries of the
said ku-klux fund, appears, according to receipts
in the hands of the county treasurer,
John L. Watson, to have received, up to the
first day of October, 1876, from said fund,
the sum of two thousand three hundred dollars,
($2,300.00). Yet, whilst it so appears
from the receipts of the said J. L. Watson,
that said amount has been received by this
family, we learn from the testimony of Rachel
Leech, (who is also the guardian of her children)
and her brother, Adolpbus Rice, that
in reality the said Rachel Leech and her family
have never received, in all, as much as the
sura of one thousand dollars, ($1,000.00).
The remainder of the said $2,300.00 this iury
has not been able to trace out of the hands of
the said county treasurer, John L. Watson.
We further find that the said Rachel Leech
and her children, although they are entitled
bo the sum of forty dollars per month from
3aid fund, are now in as poor a condition as
before they received the benefit of the same;
and now only gain a proper support by labor
ing for the same. We further find that tfie
said Rachel Leech is entirely incompetent to
act as guardian for her children, being very
ignorant and liable to be easily imposed upon ;
we, therefore, recommend that some other
suitable person be appointed guardian of
said children.
In accordance with the special charge and
instructions from your Honor, we have mpst
thoroughly and diligently inquired into the
fact of whether or not there exist in this
county any armed companies, or bands, organized
contrary to law; or for the purpose
of intimidating citizens on account of their
political opinions. We are most happy to
report that we have been totally unable to
learn of the existence of any such organizations,
with the exception of two cases of
colored Democrats being assaulted and intimidated
by men of their own color, (and which
two cases are now in this court upon the
proper indictments), we have not been able to
learn of any cases of intimidation, whatever;
but that each of the citizens of this county is
in the free and untrammelled enjoyment of
bis political rights and privileges.
a ti L : ~AA.11..
ill I 01 WIIICU JB muau respcubiunjr ouuuimted.
JAMES E. SMITH,
Foremao.
EDITORIAL INKLINGS.
The First Cool Snap.
On Saturday night of last week, water
froze in Omaha, Nebraska, to the thickness of
one-eighth of an inch.
In Memphis, on Saturday night, there was
a heavy frost, relieving anxiety about the
yellow fever. On the same night there was
frost in Augusta, Ga., and Montgomery, Ala.,
and the weather was unusually cold for the
season with a heavy frost
Cashier's Valley, Jackson county, N. C.,
was visited on Saturday by a heavy snow
storm, begiuning at 9 a. m., and continuing
to fall until 2 p. m., without ceasing. A
correspondent describes it as a grand and unusual
scene to see the green forest and flowergardens
covered with snow. The crops of
that section, however, are sufficiently matured
to be out of danger of frosts and snows.
Reported for the Yorkville Enquirer.
THE MASS MEETING AT BLACK'S STATION.
The grand mass meeting and barbecue at
Black's Station, on the 6th instant, was a decided
success.
Extensive preparations had been going on
for several days, for the accommodation of
the immense concourse of people, who were
expected to assemble to hear the distinguished
speakers, who had been invited to address the
meeting in the interest of Reform.
Early in the day, the people began to arrive
by the Air-Liue train and by private
conveyance, and by 10 o'clock, fully two
thousand people were on the grounds. At
balf-past 10 o'clock, the procession was formed
near the depot, under the command of Col.
W. W. Gaffney, Marshal of the Day, and
preceded by the Dallas Band and a large delegation
of the Hickory Grove Democratic
Club, marched to the grove near tne Academy,
where a commodious stand bad been
erected, and gracefully decorated by fair hands
with beautiful evergreens and flowers. Just
over the speakers' head, were the words "Tilden
and Hampton and just beneath this
"Let the worthy rule!" The letters being
formed of evergreens, had a chaste and beautiful
effect.
The long rows of tables ; the company of
cooks at the ditches, barbecueing the beef and
mutton, in the rear of the speaker's stand;
the presence of a large number of ladies, who
added their smiles and charms to the occasion,
and who ?flM piwi;^ wi?h ?nmfni4.Ma
seats in the beautiful grove; all went to make
up a scene not soon to be forgotten bj those
who were present to enjoy it.
After some fine music by the band, at 11
o'clock, Dr. John G. Black, Chairman of the
Committee of Arrangements, arose and called
the meeting to order. In a graceful and appropriate
style, he briefly explained the object
of the meeting, and after entreating the people
to preserve good order, introduced
NATHANIEL BARNWELL,
of Columbia, who showed conclusively, and
in a clear and forcible manner, that a large
proportion of the taxes that had been wrong
from an already impoverished people, bad
been squandered by the thieving crew at Columbia.
He depicted, in strong language, the
corruption and debauchery of the 8tate government
at Columbia, and denied that Chamberlain
deserved the title of a reformer, as
claimed for him, by his followers. He eulogised
Gen. Hampton, and endeavored to convince
the colored people that Hampton was
incapable of deception, and tbat their rights
would be safe in his hands. He also reminded
the colored people that they were being
urged by the carpet-baggers to keep op the
color line in politics and not to plape their
conhdence in their old masters, and that this
course, if pursued, would eventually result in
nothing less than a war of races, in which
they must be exterminated. His speech was an
able effort, and gained the closest attention of his
audience.
COL, JOHN H. EVIN8 i:i>
was next introduced, and received with tremendous
applause. A shower of beantitill
bouquets greeted bis appearance on the stand,
and he returned his warmest thanks to the
fair ones who had thus complimented him
and the noble cause which he was advocating.
He reminded the voters of this beautiful
mountain country, that they could surely need
no further incentive to do their duty, being
encouraged by the presence and smiles of the
fair sex, and living as they did nnderthe very
shadow of King's Mountain. He first took
up Gov. Chamberlain's past record, and reviewed
bis action while Attorney General of
the State; recited the various jobs in which
he,was engaged, and held bim responsible for
many of the frauds committed under the administrations
of Scott and' Moses; that he
never uttered the word reform until Gen.
Grant began to speak of the necessity existing
for the National Republican party to "unload
1" He reminded his colored hearers that
Gov. Chamberlain had made no organized effort
tosupprees riots and disorders, even among
the colored people on the Combahee, and that
he ran off* to Washington, leaving these poor
creatures to their fate; his whole efforts
being directed to making bloody shirt capital '
out of their misfortunes. If Gen. Hampton
was elected Governor of South Carolina, as be
believed he would be, he would remain at his
post and protect every man in his rights; that
he wpuld suppress violence, and having the
confidence of the people, his word would be '
obeyed. He next referred to Hon. A. 8.
Wallace, and handled him without gloves,
charging him with being an instigator of riots
between the blacks and whites, and that he
relied mainly upon the "bloody shirt" issue
for reelection; that he was continually trying
to resurrect the dead issues of the past, the
ku-klux, war, &c. He said that all this was
done for the basest purposes. It is impossible
to give even a synopsis of this part of his
speech, as he spoke rapidly and eloquently of
the villainy and corruption of the Republican
party in South Carolina. In conclusion, he-,
declared that the present state of affairs must
and should be stopped; that the carpet-baggers
were on the run, and the warfare upon
these vampires must be kept up until tbey
/?. . TT
were run out or toe oiaie. no appeaiw w
bis hearers to rise up io tbeir might and go
forward determined to win in tbe great work of
reform and honesty. His speech was greeted
with round after round of applause. It was
a fine effort, and his earnestness of manner and
sound reasoning made a good impression.
CAPT. W. T. R. BELL,
of North Carolina, was the next speaker. He
is decidedly one of the finest stump speakers
it wfe> ever our good fortune to hear. He began
in a cool, conversational style, to arraign
the Republican party for the wrongs perpetrated
upon the South, and the burdensome taxation
imposed upon the people for the purpose
of filling the pockets or unprincipled political
adventurers. When he began to recite the
condition of poor down-trodden South Carolina,
his thrilling eloquence brought the immense
audience to their feet and they pressed
close to the speakers' stand. He would hold
them spell-bound for a while, and then they
would burst forth in the wildest enthusiasm/
His comparison of the condition of the people
of South Carolina, to that of the Israelites,
with the hosts of Pharaoh on the one side and
the Red Sea, a seeming impossible barrier on
the other, when, by laitn m i^ivine .rruvidence
they were rescued from destruction, was
singularly beautiful and appropriate. Any
attempt we might make to report his speech
would fail of doing the speaker justice. He
pleaded indisposition as an apology for not
continuing bis speech, but he was urged by
the audience to proceed, and finally had to
close against their wishes. We hope he will
be heard from in our campaign again before
it closes.
DINNER
was next announced, and the crowd marched
in procession to the tables, which were loaded
with everything necessary to satisfy the inner
man, in the greatest abundance. The meat
was nicely barbecued, and everything in connection
with the cooking and the arrangement
of the tables reflected great credit upon the
committees in charge. We are informed that
one thousand pounds of beef and twenty-four
sheep were served op on this occasion, besides
innumerable baskets of provisions. The colored
people were provided with tables along
side the whites, and were served by a committee,
who were careful to see that they were
well provided for. The utmost good feeling
prevailed between the two races. After dinner
was over, it was announced from the stand
that speaking would begin again. An arrangement
had been made with the leaden of
tbe Republican party for a joint discussion.
J. Hannibal White, colored, was to speak
first, and be replied to by I. D. Witherspoon,
Esq.; and then Nelson Davies, colored, to be