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he was, and still retained him there. He was most ardently desirous to have martial law proclaimed, but that was in the power of the President, and from the course of the Federal canvass, then going on, the President himself would have to plead a strong case. To force some such emergency, his counsellors inaugurated the "strike" among the half civilized blacks of the low country rice-fields, but under the "Peace Policy," inculcated by Hampton, all these efforts failed. The only effect was to damage a few individuals, and to bring down untold want and suffering on these deluded creatures themselves.

He next thought of striking at the "chivalry" of the State, by calling for the disbanding and disarming of all the rifle clubs, and volunteer military orgnizations throught the State. By specious representations made to Washington, he did induce the President to issue a Proclamation to that effect.

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It so happened that the writer was present when this was first announced to Hampton, which was on the great Hampton Day," at Sumter C. H. The speaking was all over, and the General was quietly dining with a private party, at a friend's house. Sitting nearest his hostess, he was interrupted in the midst of a remark to her by the "telegraph boy," handing him a dispatch, with the request that he would read it at once. He did so, and quietly folding the note, he finished the remark he was making to Mrs. F., and no one would or did suppose, from his manner, that there was anything of importance in its contents. But when Col. Haskel requested him to throw it

across the table, one glance from him brought out the exclamation: "Here it is, true enough! The President has disbanded all the white companies, and threatens us with martial law!" The countenances around the table wore very different expressions from Hampton's schooled features, and we could not but admire that Roman self-control so often manifested lately.

By his advice, which was as effective as a ukase from the Court of St. Petersburg, among the Russians, this order from Washington was promptly obeyed, and fully carried out, and Mr. Chamberlain was again checkmated.

It was an anomaly to see a late dashing "LieutenantGeneral of Cavalry" so suddenly and so sternly acting the apostle of William Penn, in his peace policy; but South Carolina, at that time, witnessed that metamorphosis. And she, to-day, rejoices in a victory, unequalled in her annals, achieved by legal methods alone, and by tactics unqualifiedly Quaker. The truth is, there was not then, nor had there ever been in South Carolina, any one man who could have carried out that policy but General Hampton himself. Even John C. Calhoun would have signally failed Hampton's war record had caused him to be regard ed as the personification of the chivalry and manhood" of the State, and when he counselled yielding, even General Gary had to subside.

POSTSCRIPT CHAPTER SECOND.

REDEMPTION AND HOME RULE.

The election came on, at last, and Chamberlain had his United States soldiers and marshals distributed throughout the State, to his entire satisfaction. But to the surprise of friend and foe, Wade Hampton had a clear majority of over twelve hundred votes! In the strong Radical precincts in Charleston, Colleton and Beaufort Counties, such untold frauds had been practiced that the most sanguine had begun to despair of success; and when it was found that the election was safe, in spite of all these frauds, "the people rejoiced with exceeding great joy." But the shout of triumph soon subsided, when that omnipotent Radical" Returning Board" was summoned to canvass the votes." By the simple device of "counting out" the two counties of Laurens and Edgefield, which had gone Democratic by large majorities, it was attempted to reverse the result, and "count in Chamberlain and his crew.

In vain did the Supreme Court attempt to restrain this Board, in its usurpation of power. After several attempts on the part of the court had been successfully foiled, an order of court was finally passed for them to bring all the election returns into court the next day. But that night, under the inspiration of Corbin, the Board formally declared Chamberlain and

crew elected, issued the usual certificates, and then adjourned sine die.

A short time afterwards the court had them all arrested, imposed a fine of $1,500 each, and had them all committed to jail, in default of payment. But the notorious Judge Bond, of the U. S. Circuit Court, was soon on the ground, summoned by telegraph. He at once released them on writs of habeas corpus, at Chambers, and, not long afterwards, made their discharge final!

An expression had escaped from Hampton's heart, through his unguarded lips, which served to quiet all apprehensions as to the result. It was to the following effect: "The people of South Carolina have elected me Governor, and, by the Eternal God, I intend to be their Governor!"

The time for the convening of the Legislature now drew nigh, and all eyes were turned to Columbia to see which party would secure the supremacy. The same vote which had made Hampton Governor, secured a majority of the House of Representatives. There were senators enough holding over to give that body to the Radicals by a small majority.

A short time before the day of meeting, Chamberlain had procured an order from President Grant to have a Company of United States Infantry quartered in the State House. This was effected at midnight,' and the next morning, the citizens found access to the halls of their fathers, debarred by armed sentinels wearing the United States uniform, and posted at every door!

On the day of the meeting of the Legislature, a large crowd of every color and condition was assembled on the open area, in front of the State House, and even the broad steps leading to the main doorway were crowded. The officer in command had announced that only those bearing certificates from the Returning Board could be admitted. The excitement became intense, until Hampton himself appeared on the steps. He had just been refused. admittance, but was as calm as a summer's morning. He only uttered a few words, to the effect that the handful of United States soldiers before them represented a power it would be madness to resist. That he felt that place was not a proper one for him, and, therefore, was going to his office. His advice was, for all who felt as he did, to follow him down the street. As he advanced to the gate, the whole crowd silently melted away into a solemn procession, following his lead.

His Excellency's "office," was a suit of two rooms over one of the stores on Main street, and furnished as his room on the Campus had been in College days, excepting the cot bedstead.

The members elect had all been admitted into their hall, excepting the two delegations from Laurens and Edgefield. The Radical members were sworn in, and, although without a quorum, proceeded to organize by the election of Mackey, of Charleston, as Speaker. The Democratic members then withdrew to "Carolina Hall," and organized the true House of Representatives, by electing Gen. Wallace,

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