Page:Southern Historical Society Papers volume 12.djvu/320

 310 Southern Historical Society Papers.

proposed that the meeting should be a joint discussion. As there could be no reasonable objection to this reasonable request, it was granted. Chamberlain began the discussion; he was tame and dull, and it was no wonder, for he had to confront men whom he had de- nounced as murderers and conspirators. He was replied to by General Butler and General Gary, both of whom handled him with- out gloves. Several annoying accidents happened to disgust the Radicals, and the meeting was broken up. The excentric Judge Mackey, who had gone to the meeting with the Governor, remained with the Democrats. A like meeting was held a few days after- wards at Newberry. It must be borne in mind that the Radical party looked upon the black population as their own, and any attempt on the part of the Democrats to win them was regarded as a trespass on their rights, and fiercely resisted. The deluded blacks were instructed to believe that the success of the Democratic party would be followed by remanding them back to slavery. Emmis- saries were sent all over the State to urge the negroes not even to go to listen to the persuasions of the white men, and those negroes who dared show any leaning towards them were punished in every conceivable way. Social ostracism was imposed upon them; they were refused admission into the churches, and the women were even more outrageous against any black man who dared to falter in his allegiance to the Radical party. At a later period personal violence was added to the moral influences, which had at first been practiced. The only way in which the whites could get a hearing from the negroes was by going to meetings called by the Radicals and solicit- ing a hearing. This was at first granted. But when men were present who could and did repel their monstrous assertions, the Radicals found that a prime source of their eloquence was taken away from them, and instead of playing the part of saviours and im- maculate leaders, they were often put on their defence and made to suffer humiliation, when they had e.xpected to act the part of philan- thropic heroes. It became, therefore, a prime object with the party to stop these joint discussions.

On August 15th the Democratic State Convention met. Chamber- lain's letters had fully stripped him bare, and General Hampton received the unanimous vote of the convention. As this nomination deprived Chamberlain of any hopes he may have entertained of receiv- ing the votes of the Democrats, he was no longer under the necessity of wearing a mask, and could break openly with that party. Indeed it was time ; his conciliatory policy had alienated from him almost