South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1876
Encyclopedia
The 1876 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on November 7, 1876 to select the governor
of the state of South Carolina
. The election campaign was a referendum on the Radical Republican-led state government and their Reconstruction policies. The result was contested, but the challenger Wade Hampton III
took office in April 1877 after President Hayes withdrew federal troops and the incumbent Daniel Henry Chamberlain
left the state.
Governor Chamberlain
's inability to preserve the peace as riots were breaking out across the state, most notably the Hamburg Massacre
, led many black and white voters to support the Democratic ticket in November. The turbulent atmosphere
ended before election day, which was peaceful.
Wade Hampton
emerged as the Democratic candidate chosen to redeem
the state from Republican rule. The election was disputed and a prolonged contest ensued as both parties established separate governments. Chamberlain lost most of his support and was in early 1877 kept in office by Federal troops
guarding the state capitol. When President Rutherford B. Hayes
ordered the troops to stand down, Chamberlain left the state and Hampton became the 77th governor of South Carolina.
entered 1876 having had eight years of Radical Republican rule that had effectively alienated the entire white population of the state. Whites generally thought that the Reconstruction programs set up by the Republicans were used by corrupt politicians
and carpetbaggers to their financial benefit. At the same time, many whites were angered by the passage of 13th, 14th, 15th amendments which sought to guarantee rights to former slaves. Former Confederates were not allowed to vote or hold office until the passage of the Amnesty Act in 1872. Now, Southern Democrats were running for office and sought to erode the political power held by Republicans. Many black citizens of the state began to question Republican rule and some former slaves even stated that life was better under slavery.
However, most blacks remained steadfastly loyal to the Republican Party because of the brutality of Southern whites, after the conclusion of the Civil War, who were committed to keeping the social structure as close to its existence prior to the Civil War. Black citizens, however, constituted a sizable majority of the electorate. In addition, the state Democratic Party
was completely unorganized and had not contested a state election since 1868 when it was utterly defeated by the Republicans.
The Democratic Party in disarray and also divided on a strategy for contesting the general election. Most Democrats heading into the May convention decided to not oppose the governorship and other state offices because Governor Daniel Henry Chamberlain
had implemented many favorable reforms. Known as fusionists
, they also felt that any effort spent on state offices would be wasted and better served by trying to acquire a majority in the General Assembly
.
The more ardent Democrats called the "Straighout Democrats" gained strength with the General Assembly electing two corrupt men to circuit judgeships, former Governor Franklin J. Moses Jr. and William Whipper
. Even though the nominations were blocked by Governor Chamberlain, the straightouts believed that meaningful reform would only happen when Democrats gained power. In their opinion, every race from governor to coroner had to be contested.
convened in Columbia
from May 4 to May 5. The purpose of this convention was to select 14 delegates and alternates to the National Democratic Convention in St. Louis
and state the policies of the party. However, the party remained divided between the Fusionists and the Straighouts as to whether run a state ticket or not.
The debate continued through the summer between the two as to which approach would be best for the Democratic Party. The Hamburg Massacre
persuaded white South Carolinians that Governor Chamberlain's administration was unable to maintain order in the black state militias. Any hopes of fusion with the Republicans were thus ended and the Straighouts became the dominant force within the Democratic Party.
. The first test of Straightout strength in the Democratic Party was the election of the President of the Convention. By a vote of 80 to 66, the Straightout candidate was elected and after a secret session the nomination process began.
Matthew Butler
nominated Wade Hampton
for the post of governor and the delegates unanimously approved the nomination by acclamation. Wade Hampton, although a supporter of the Straightouts, had a moderate reputation that enabled him to unite the two factions of the party and even attract black voters.
The Democratic platform that emerged from the convention was vague and noncommittal to specifics. Pledges were made to restore order, reform the government, and lower taxes; but no spefic policies were formulated. The Straightouts knew that only a consensus position of general ideas would unite the party and elect Democrats to statewide offices.
, notably Senator John J. Patterson
and Robert B. Elliott
, organized an opposition to Governor Chamberlain
prior to the state convention. The group was upset by the reforms enacted by the Governor, especially the removal of corrupt Republicans from positions and replacing them with Democrats. The goal was to weaken Governor Chamberlain enough so that he would be removed from the ticket in November or forced to make favorable concessions.
from April 12 to April 14 for the state convention to nominate 14 delegates to the National Republican Convention in Cincinnati
. Those in opposition of Governor Chamberlain first succeeded in winning control of the temporary chairmanship for the convention when their candidate defeated the Governor by a vote of 80 to 40.
Having achieved effective control of the convention, the opposition to Governor Chamberlain proceeded to select delegates to the national convention with the purpose of excluding the governor from the delegation. However, the convention descended into chaos between those in support of the governor and those in opposition. An inkstand
was thrown at the head of a delegate and a chair was raised above Governor Chamberlain with the intention of striking him.
Governor Chamberlain responded with a powerful diatribe of those opposing him by accusing them of siding with the Ku Klux Klan
. He then reaffirmed his loyalty to the Republican Party and its platform and explained that his actions in office were meant to serve the Party. Most delegates were convinced of the Governor's sincerity, and he was elected as a delegate-at-large to the national convention by a vote of 89 to 32.
Worried by his support among Republicans, Governor Chamberlain canvassed
several counties of the state. Accompanied by Republicans held in low esteem by the white community, the meetings were often disrupted by Democrats. However, the growing strength and militancy of the Democrats served the purpose of reducing the opposition to Chamberlain within the Republican Party.
When the Republicans met for the nominating convention in Columbia on September 13 through September 15, Governor Chamberlain was renominated with little difficulty. However, those opposed to Chamberlain sought to compensate for their defeat by adding themselves to the ticket. Robert B. Elliott
became the nominee for Attorney General and Thomas C. Dunn the nominee for Comptroller General.
Both had been very vocal in their opposition to Chamberlain and Elliott was notorious for corruption and his belief of black supremacy
. After the election, Chamberlain regretted the inclusion of Elliott on the ticket and thought that Elliott's removal should have been the condition for his acceptance as nominee for Governor.
The platform adopted by the Republicans contained many specific and innovative proposals that were to be effected either as amendments to the state constitution or through legislative action:
The results of the convention for the Republicans were mixed; on one hand, the party emerged united from their convention for the first time since 1868, but it came with a heavy price as the more moderate black and white members of the party switched to support Hampton and the Democrats.
, was to implement the Mississippi Plan
in South Carolina. Known as the Shotgun Policy in South Carolina, the Mississippi Plan called for the bribery or intimidation of black voters. Financial enticements were given to blacks who supported the Democrats, and violence was waged on others in order to convince them to join a Democratic club for protection.
The first step of the Democratic campaign was to set up clubs to organize its members; the more militant Democrats were organized into the rifle clubs whereas the red shirt
clubs were arranged to appeal to black voters. By election day, the Democrats had enrolled almost every white man not associated with the Republican party into a club and set up several clubs for blacks.
Supporters of the Democratic Party often wore red shirts in response to Oliver Morton's
use of the bloody shirt to maintain support in the North
for Reconstruction of the South
. They would often parade through towns on horseback such as to give an impression of greater numbers and shouted "Hurrah for Hampton" as their slogan. These demonstrations served several purposes for the Democrats: they brought together whites, frightened Republicans and inspired blacks towards their cause.
Another important aspect of the Mississippi Plan put into effect was the disruption of Republican meetings and the demanding of equal time. The campaign device was called "dividing time" and it proved to be one of the more useful techniques employed by the Democrats in the campaign for three reasons: the strong show of force intimidated the black voters; it terrified Republican candidates and disgraced them in front of the blacks; and because most black voters were illiterate, it was the only possible way for the Democrats to reach them with their arguments since the newspapers were useless as they could not be read. The harassment of the Republicans had gotten so bad that the state Democratic committee had to warn its members that the purpose was to attract black voters and not to terrorize them.
An unofficial policy employed by the whites, yet equally effective as the others, was "preference, not proscription." Basically, blacks who espoused support for the Democrats were given a certificate that allowed for them to have priority in employment and trade. The device was not used on the farms because the contracts lasted until January, but it instead wreaked havoc among the black artisans in the urban areas. The state Democratic committee never endorsed the tactic, and Hampton urged its ending after the end of the campaign.
and introducing the black codes. However, the Republicans had become notoriously corrupt and little progress was made towards the promises made to blacks, such as 40 acres and a mule
. Furthermore, it angered many blacks that a former slave trader
, Joe Crews, was elected as a Republican to the General Assembly.
Those blacks enticed with joining and voting for the Democratic Party were ultimately motivated by the paternalistic nature of Wade Hampton. They resented the northern politicians who came to rule the state into destruction and saw Hampton as someone who would redeem the state out of its current despair.
However, black Democrats faced ostracism from the black community and multiple threats of violence. The black women were especially noted for their cruelty; they would strip known black Democrats naked in public and some of the wives would leave their husbands or refuse to sleep with them. Even the daughter of a black Democrat was whipped at school for her father's support of Hampton.
Instead, the Republicans made a point of making a show of force with its black members and to impress upon other black voters that a vote for the Democrats would result in violence. Additionally, the Republicans sought to create racial disturbances to give President Grant
an excuse to send Federal troops
to the state.
s to preserve the peace at the polling places if needed, but they were never called upon.
As the results were coming in on Wednesday morning, it appeared that Chamberlain
would win, but Hampton
had taken the lead by Thursday. Hampton claimed victory, which was immediately denied by Chamberlain and the Republicans, who claimed that massive fraud and intimidation had given Hampton the victory. Indeed, there were more votes cast in Edgefield and Laurens counties than there had been registered voters.
When the Republican dominated Board of State Canvassars met after the election to certify the results, they failed on November 22 to certify the election results from Edgefield and Laurens counties despite being ordered by the state supreme court to certify all the results. Effectively, the results from those counties were thrown out. The state supreme court then held the board members in contempt of court
and placed them in the Richland County
jail. However, a federal judge
annulled the order of the state supreme court and issued a writ of habeas corpus in favor of the board members.
In the morning of November 28 prior to the convening of the General Assembly
, Chamberlain ordered two companies
of federal troops
under the command of General Thomas H. Ruger
to the State House
, which had been approved by President Ulysses S. Grant
on November 26 in order to prevent a violent takeover by the Democrats and to block the admittance of the Democratic members from Edgefield and Laurens counties.
The Democratic members from Edgefield and Laurens counties were forbidden to enter the General Assembly, and the Democrats left to set up a rival legislature at Carolina Hall. With the Republicans in complete control of the government and backed by the support of federal troops, they discarded the election returns from Edgefield and Laurens counties for the gubernatorial race and declared Chamberlain elected for a second term on December 5.
The Democrats derided the installation of Chamberlain as Governor by the Republicans and on December 14, they declared Hampton Governor of South Carolina. They included returns from Edgefield and Laurens counties in their tally, which meant out of 184,943 registered voters in 1875, only 555 voters did not cast a ballot in the election. The results as declared by the Democrats held up to be the official results of the election when Hampton became the sole Governor on April 11, 1877.
| colspan=5 |Democratic
gain from Republican
|-
After the resolution 1876 presidential election
in favor of Rutherford B. Hayes
, both Chamberlain and Hampton traveled to Washington
to discuss with the new president regarding the situation in South Carolina. President Hayes realized that only a massive reintroduction of federal troops would enable Chamberlain to continue as Governor and thus ordered on April 3, 1877 for the removal of federal troops from South Carolina. The departure of Federal troops on April 10 caused Governor Chamberlain and the Republican led government to concede the election to Wade Hampton. A day later on April 11, Hampton became the sole and official governor
of the state of South Carolina.
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
of the state of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. The election campaign was a referendum on the Radical Republican-led state government and their Reconstruction policies. The result was contested, but the challenger Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
took office in April 1877 after President Hayes withdrew federal troops and the incumbent Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
left the state.
Governor Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
's inability to preserve the peace as riots were breaking out across the state, most notably the Hamburg Massacre
Hamburg Massacre
The Hamburg Massacre was a key event of South Carolina Reconstruction. Beginning with a dispute over free passage on a public road, this racially motivated incident concluded with the death of seven men...
, led many black and white voters to support the Democratic ticket in November. The turbulent atmosphere
South Carolina civil disturbances of 1876
The South Carolina civil disturbances of 1876 were a series of race riots and civil unrest sparked by the intense emotions developed because of the...
ended before election day, which was peaceful.
Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
emerged as the Democratic candidate chosen to redeem
Redeemers
In United States history, "Redeemers" and "Redemption" were terms used by white Southerners to describe a political coalition in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction era which followed the American Civil War...
the state from Republican rule. The election was disputed and a prolonged contest ensued as both parties established separate governments. Chamberlain lost most of his support and was in early 1877 kept in office by Federal troops
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
guarding the state capitol. When President Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
ordered the troops to stand down, Chamberlain left the state and Hampton became the 77th governor of South Carolina.
Background
South CarolinaSouth Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
entered 1876 having had eight years of Radical Republican rule that had effectively alienated the entire white population of the state. Whites generally thought that the Reconstruction programs set up by the Republicans were used by corrupt politicians
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
and carpetbaggers to their financial benefit. At the same time, many whites were angered by the passage of 13th, 14th, 15th amendments which sought to guarantee rights to former slaves. Former Confederates were not allowed to vote or hold office until the passage of the Amnesty Act in 1872. Now, Southern Democrats were running for office and sought to erode the political power held by Republicans. Many black citizens of the state began to question Republican rule and some former slaves even stated that life was better under slavery.
However, most blacks remained steadfastly loyal to the Republican Party because of the brutality of Southern whites, after the conclusion of the Civil War, who were committed to keeping the social structure as close to its existence prior to the Civil War. Black citizens, however, constituted a sizable majority of the electorate. In addition, the state Democratic Party
South Carolina Democratic Party
The South Carolina Democratic Party is the South Carolina affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. The Democratic party thrived during the Second Party System between 1832 and the mid-1850s and was one of the causes of the collapse of the Whig Party....
was completely unorganized and had not contested a state election since 1868 when it was utterly defeated by the Republicans.
The Democratic Party in disarray and also divided on a strategy for contesting the general election. Most Democrats heading into the May convention decided to not oppose the governorship and other state offices because Governor Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
had implemented many favorable reforms. Known as fusionists
Electoral fusion
Electoral fusion is an arrangement where two or more political parties on a ballot list the same candidate, pooling the votes for that candidate...
, they also felt that any effort spent on state offices would be wasted and better served by trying to acquire a majority in the General Assembly
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
.
The more ardent Democrats called the "Straighout Democrats" gained strength with the General Assembly electing two corrupt men to circuit judgeships, former Governor Franklin J. Moses Jr. and William Whipper
William Whipper
William Whipper was an African American abolitionist and businessman. He advocated nonviolence and co-founded the American Moral Reform Society, an early African American abolitionist organization.- Early life :...
. Even though the nominations were blocked by Governor Chamberlain, the straightouts believed that meaningful reform would only happen when Democrats gained power. In their opinion, every race from governor to coroner had to be contested.
May convention
A reinvigorated South Carolina Democratic PartySouth Carolina Democratic Party
The South Carolina Democratic Party is the South Carolina affiliate of the United States Democratic Party. The Democratic party thrived during the Second Party System between 1832 and the mid-1850s and was one of the causes of the collapse of the Whig Party....
convened in Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
from May 4 to May 5. The purpose of this convention was to select 14 delegates and alternates to the National Democratic Convention in St. Louis
St. Louis, Missouri
St. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
and state the policies of the party. However, the party remained divided between the Fusionists and the Straighouts as to whether run a state ticket or not.
The debate continued through the summer between the two as to which approach would be best for the Democratic Party. The Hamburg Massacre
Hamburg Massacre
The Hamburg Massacre was a key event of South Carolina Reconstruction. Beginning with a dispute over free passage on a public road, this racially motivated incident concluded with the death of seven men...
persuaded white South Carolinians that Governor Chamberlain's administration was unable to maintain order in the black state militias. Any hopes of fusion with the Republicans were thus ended and the Straighouts became the dominant force within the Democratic Party.
August convention
The Democrats reconvened in Columbia for the nominating convention held on August 15 through August 17. Since the Republicans had yet to meet, the candidacy of Governor Chamberlain was uncertain, undermining the Fusionists. Straightouts were further rallied by the opening shots at the Hamburg MassacreHamburg Massacre
The Hamburg Massacre was a key event of South Carolina Reconstruction. Beginning with a dispute over free passage on a public road, this racially motivated incident concluded with the death of seven men...
. The first test of Straightout strength in the Democratic Party was the election of the President of the Convention. By a vote of 80 to 66, the Straightout candidate was elected and after a secret session the nomination process began.
Matthew Butler
Matthew Butler
Matthew Calbraith Butler was an American military commander and politician from South Carolina. He served as a major general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War, postbellum three-term United States Senator, and a major general in the United States Army during the...
nominated Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
for the post of governor and the delegates unanimously approved the nomination by acclamation. Wade Hampton, although a supporter of the Straightouts, had a moderate reputation that enabled him to unite the two factions of the party and even attract black voters.
The Democratic platform that emerged from the convention was vague and noncommittal to specifics. Pledges were made to restore order, reform the government, and lower taxes; but no spefic policies were formulated. The Straightouts knew that only a consensus position of general ideas would unite the party and elect Democrats to statewide offices.
Republican conventions
A group of prominent South Carolina RepublicansSouth Carolina Republican Party
The South Carolina Republican Party and the South Carolina Democratic Party are the two major political parties within the U.S. state of South Carolina...
, notably Senator John J. Patterson
John J. Patterson
John James Patterson was a businessman and United States Senator from South Carolina. Born in Waterloo, Pennsylvania, he grew up there and attended the public schools, and then attended Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania...
and Robert B. Elliott
Robert B. Elliott
Robert Brown Elliott was an African-American member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina, serving from 1871-1874.-Early life and education:...
, organized an opposition to Governor Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
prior to the state convention. The group was upset by the reforms enacted by the Governor, especially the removal of corrupt Republicans from positions and replacing them with Democrats. The goal was to weaken Governor Chamberlain enough so that he would be removed from the ticket in November or forced to make favorable concessions.
April convention
The Republicans gathered in ColumbiaColumbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
from April 12 to April 14 for the state convention to nominate 14 delegates to the National Republican Convention in Cincinnati
Cincinnati, Ohio
Cincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. Those in opposition of Governor Chamberlain first succeeded in winning control of the temporary chairmanship for the convention when their candidate defeated the Governor by a vote of 80 to 40.
Having achieved effective control of the convention, the opposition to Governor Chamberlain proceeded to select delegates to the national convention with the purpose of excluding the governor from the delegation. However, the convention descended into chaos between those in support of the governor and those in opposition. An inkstand
Inkstand
An inkstand is a stand or tray used to house writing instruments, with a tightly-capped inkwell and a sand shaker for rapid drying. A penwiper would often be included, and from the mid-nineteenth century, a compartment for steel nibs, which replaced quill pens...
was thrown at the head of a delegate and a chair was raised above Governor Chamberlain with the intention of striking him.
Governor Chamberlain responded with a powerful diatribe of those opposing him by accusing them of siding with the Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan
Ku Klux Klan, often abbreviated KKK and informally known as the Klan, is the name of three distinct past and present far-right organizations in the United States, which have advocated extremist reactionary currents such as white supremacy, white nationalism, and anti-immigration, historically...
. He then reaffirmed his loyalty to the Republican Party and its platform and explained that his actions in office were meant to serve the Party. Most delegates were convinced of the Governor's sincerity, and he was elected as a delegate-at-large to the national convention by a vote of 89 to 32.
September convention
| Republican nomination for Governor Governor of South Carolina The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio... |
||
|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
Worried by his support among Republicans, Governor Chamberlain canvassed
Canvassing
Canvassing is the systematic initiation of direct contact with a target group of individuals commonly used during political campaigns. A campaign team will knock on doors of private residences within a particular geographic area, engaging in face-to-face personal interaction with voters...
several counties of the state. Accompanied by Republicans held in low esteem by the white community, the meetings were often disrupted by Democrats. However, the growing strength and militancy of the Democrats served the purpose of reducing the opposition to Chamberlain within the Republican Party.
When the Republicans met for the nominating convention in Columbia on September 13 through September 15, Governor Chamberlain was renominated with little difficulty. However, those opposed to Chamberlain sought to compensate for their defeat by adding themselves to the ticket. Robert B. Elliott
Robert B. Elliott
Robert Brown Elliott was an African-American member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina, serving from 1871-1874.-Early life and education:...
became the nominee for Attorney General and Thomas C. Dunn the nominee for Comptroller General.
Both had been very vocal in their opposition to Chamberlain and Elliott was notorious for corruption and his belief of black supremacy
Black supremacy
The term black supremacy is a blanket term for various ideologies which hold that black people are superior to people of other races.-Overview:...
. After the election, Chamberlain regretted the inclusion of Elliott on the ticket and thought that Elliott's removal should have been the condition for his acceptance as nominee for Governor.
The platform adopted by the Republicans contained many specific and innovative proposals that were to be effected either as amendments to the state constitution or through legislative action:
- Ban government funds from being given to religious organizations.
- A permanent tax to support public schools.
- Tort reformTort reformTort reform refers to proposed changes in common law civil justice systems that would reduce tort litigation or damages. Tort actions are civil common law claims first created in the English commonwealth system as a non-legislative means for compensating wrongs and harm done by one party to...
. - Repeal of the agriculture lienLienIn law, a lien is a form of security interest granted over an item of property to secure the payment of a debt or performance of some other obligation...
law. - Use of convict laborPenal labourPenal labour is a form of unfree labour in which prisoners perform work, typically manual labour. The work may be light or hard, depending on the context. Forms of sentence which involve penal labour include penal servitude and imprisonment with hard labour...
. - Require cattle owners to fenceAgricultural fencingIn agriculture, fences are used to keep animals in or out of an area. They can be made from a wide variety of materials, depending on terrain, location and animals to be confined...
their land.
The results of the convention for the Republicans were mixed; on one hand, the party emerged united from their convention for the first time since 1868, but it came with a heavy price as the more moderate black and white members of the party switched to support Hampton and the Democrats.
Democratic campaign
The Democratic strategy for the election was twofold; Wade Hampton was to attract moderate voters by appearing as a senior statesman. Hhis chief lieutenant, Martin GaryMartin Witherspoon Gary
Martin Witherspoon Gary was a brigadier general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War and a Democratic politician in postbellum South Carolina.-Early life and career:...
, was to implement the Mississippi Plan
Mississippi Plan
The Mississippi Plan of 1875 was devised by the Democratic Party to overthrow the Republican Party in the state of Mississippi by means of organized threats of violence and suppression or purchase of the black vote, in order to regain political control of the legislature and governor's office...
in South Carolina. Known as the Shotgun Policy in South Carolina, the Mississippi Plan called for the bribery or intimidation of black voters. Financial enticements were given to blacks who supported the Democrats, and violence was waged on others in order to convince them to join a Democratic club for protection.
The first step of the Democratic campaign was to set up clubs to organize its members; the more militant Democrats were organized into the rifle clubs whereas the red shirt
Red Shirts (South Carolina)
The Red Shirts or Redshirts of the Southern United States were white paramilitary groups in the 19th century, active primarily after the formal Reconstruction era of the United States. They first arose in Mississippi in 1875, when Democratic Party private militias adopted red shirts to make...
clubs were arranged to appeal to black voters. By election day, the Democrats had enrolled almost every white man not associated with the Republican party into a club and set up several clubs for blacks.
Supporters of the Democratic Party often wore red shirts in response to Oliver Morton's
Oliver Hazard Perry Morton
Oliver Hazard Perry Throck Morton , commonly known as Oliver P. Morton, was a U.S. Republican Party politician from Indiana. He served as the 14th Governor of Indiana during the American Civil War, and was a stalwart ally of President Abraham Lincoln. During the war, Morton suppressed the...
use of the bloody shirt to maintain support in the North
Union (American Civil War)
During the American Civil War, the Union was a name used to refer to the federal government of the United States, which was supported by the twenty free states and five border slave states. It was opposed by 11 southern slave states that had declared a secession to join together to form the...
for Reconstruction of the South
Southern United States
The Southern United States—commonly referred to as the American South, Dixie, or simply the South—constitutes a large distinctive area in the southeastern and south-central United States...
. They would often parade through towns on horseback such as to give an impression of greater numbers and shouted "Hurrah for Hampton" as their slogan. These demonstrations served several purposes for the Democrats: they brought together whites, frightened Republicans and inspired blacks towards their cause.
Another important aspect of the Mississippi Plan put into effect was the disruption of Republican meetings and the demanding of equal time. The campaign device was called "dividing time" and it proved to be one of the more useful techniques employed by the Democrats in the campaign for three reasons: the strong show of force intimidated the black voters; it terrified Republican candidates and disgraced them in front of the blacks; and because most black voters were illiterate, it was the only possible way for the Democrats to reach them with their arguments since the newspapers were useless as they could not be read. The harassment of the Republicans had gotten so bad that the state Democratic committee had to warn its members that the purpose was to attract black voters and not to terrorize them.
An unofficial policy employed by the whites, yet equally effective as the others, was "preference, not proscription." Basically, blacks who espoused support for the Democrats were given a certificate that allowed for them to have priority in employment and trade. The device was not used on the farms because the contracts lasted until January, but it instead wreaked havoc among the black artisans in the urban areas. The state Democratic committee never endorsed the tactic, and Hampton urged its ending after the end of the campaign.
Democratic black vote
Democrats recognized the black majority in the state and realized that the only way for them to win the election was through the addition of black voters to its ranks. This was a tricky problem for the party because they were known for upholding slaverySlavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
and introducing the black codes. However, the Republicans had become notoriously corrupt and little progress was made towards the promises made to blacks, such as 40 acres and a mule
40 acres and a mule
40 acres and a mule refers to the short-lived policy, during the last stages of the American Civil War in 1865, of providing arable land to black former slaves who had become free as a result of the advance of the Union armies into the territory previously controlled by the Confederacy,...
. Furthermore, it angered many blacks that a former slave trader
Atlantic slave trade
The Atlantic slave trade, also known as the trans-atlantic slave trade, refers to the trade in slaves that took place across the Atlantic ocean from the sixteenth through to the nineteenth centuries...
, Joe Crews, was elected as a Republican to the General Assembly.
Those blacks enticed with joining and voting for the Democratic Party were ultimately motivated by the paternalistic nature of Wade Hampton. They resented the northern politicians who came to rule the state into destruction and saw Hampton as someone who would redeem the state out of its current despair.
However, black Democrats faced ostracism from the black community and multiple threats of violence. The black women were especially noted for their cruelty; they would strip known black Democrats naked in public and some of the wives would leave their husbands or refuse to sleep with them. Even the daughter of a black Democrat was whipped at school for her father's support of Hampton.
Republican campaign
The entirety of the Republican campaign for the general election in November was based on maintaining the black vote. There was little campaigning by Republican candidates and one of Governor Chamberlain's newspapers, Columbia Daily Union-Herald, even noted that "Public meetings are not necessary to arouse the Republicans, nor to inform them. On the day of election nine-tenths of them could be directed to cast their ballots at one poll, if necessary."Instead, the Republicans made a point of making a show of force with its black members and to impress upon other black voters that a vote for the Democrats would result in violence. Additionally, the Republicans sought to create racial disturbances to give President Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
an excuse to send Federal troops
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
to the state.
Election results
The general election was held on November 7, 1876, and there were few instances of disturbance. At each polling place, there were federal supervisors from both the Democratic and Republican parties. Federal troops were also stationed at the county seatCounty seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
s to preserve the peace at the polling places if needed, but they were never called upon.
As the results were coming in on Wednesday morning, it appeared that Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain
Daniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
would win, but Hampton
Wade Hampton III
Wade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
had taken the lead by Thursday. Hampton claimed victory, which was immediately denied by Chamberlain and the Republicans, who claimed that massive fraud and intimidation had given Hampton the victory. Indeed, there were more votes cast in Edgefield and Laurens counties than there had been registered voters.
When the Republican dominated Board of State Canvassars met after the election to certify the results, they failed on November 22 to certify the election results from Edgefield and Laurens counties despite being ordered by the state supreme court to certify all the results. Effectively, the results from those counties were thrown out. The state supreme court then held the board members in contempt of court
Contempt of court
Contempt of court is a court order which, in the context of a court trial or hearing, declares a person or organization to have disobeyed or been disrespectful of the court's authority...
and placed them in the Richland County
Richland County, South Carolina
Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...
jail. However, a federal judge
United States federal judge
In the United States, the title of federal judge usually means a judge appointed by the President of the United States and confirmed by the United States Senate in accordance with Article II of the United States Constitution....
annulled the order of the state supreme court and issued a writ of habeas corpus in favor of the board members.
In the morning of November 28 prior to the convening of the General Assembly
South Carolina General Assembly
The South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
, Chamberlain ordered two companies
Company (military unit)
A company is a military unit, typically consisting of 80–225 soldiers and usually commanded by a Captain, Major or Commandant. Most companies are formed of three to five platoons although the exact number may vary by country, unit type, and structure...
of federal troops
Union Army
The Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
under the command of General Thomas H. Ruger
Thomas H. Ruger
Thomas Howard Ruger was an American soldier and lawyer who served as a Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he was a superintendent of the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York....
to the State House
South Carolina State House
The South Carolina State House is the building housing the government of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The building houses the South Carolina General Assembly and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. Until 1971, it also housed the Supreme Court...
, which had been approved by President Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
on November 26 in order to prevent a violent takeover by the Democrats and to block the admittance of the Democratic members from Edgefield and Laurens counties.
The Democratic members from Edgefield and Laurens counties were forbidden to enter the General Assembly, and the Democrats left to set up a rival legislature at Carolina Hall. With the Republicans in complete control of the government and backed by the support of federal troops, they discarded the election returns from Edgefield and Laurens counties for the gubernatorial race and declared Chamberlain elected for a second term on December 5.
| Republican count for the South Carolina Gubernatorial Election, 1876 | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % |
The Democrats derided the installation of Chamberlain as Governor by the Republicans and on December 14, they declared Hampton Governor of South Carolina. They included returns from Edgefield and Laurens counties in their tally, which meant out of 184,943 registered voters in 1875, only 555 voters did not cast a ballot in the election. The results as declared by the Democrats held up to be the official results of the election when Hampton became the sole Governor on April 11, 1877.
| colspan=5 |Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
gain from Republican
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
|-
County results
| County | Hampton | Chamberlain | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Votes | % | Votes | % | |
| Abbeville Abbeville County, South Carolina Abbeville County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2010, its population was 25,147. Its county seat is Abbeville. It is the first county in the United States alphabetically.-History:... |
3,852 | 51.2 | 3,669 | 48.8 |
| Aiken Aiken County, South Carolina Aiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099... |
3,221 | 56.4 | 2,495 | 43.6 |
| Anderson Anderson County, South Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units... |
4,155 | 78.7 | 1,124 | 21.3 |
| Barnwell Barnwell County, South Carolina -History:The Barnwell District was created in 1798 from the southwestern portion of the Orangeburg District, along the Savannah River... |
3,956 | 58.7 | 2,778 | 41.3 |
| Beaufort Beaufort County, South Carolina -National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per... |
2,274 | 23.0 | 7,604 | 77.0 |
| Charleston Charleston County, South Carolina Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South... |
8,809 | 36.9 | 15,032 | 63.1 |
| Chester Chester County, South Carolina Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 34,068; in 2005 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had dropped to 33,228. Its county seat is Chester.-Geography and climate:... |
2,005 | 45.5 | 2,404 | 54.5 |
| Chesterfield Chesterfield County, South Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 42,768 people, 16,557 households, and 11,705 families residing in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile . There were 18,818 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile... |
1,631 | 62.3 | 985 | 37.7 |
| Clarendon | 1,436 | 43.3 | 1,881 | 56.7 |
| Colleton | 2,984 | 41.8 | 4,163 | 58.2 |
| Darlington | 2,752 | 44.0 | 3,507 | 56.0 |
| Edgefield | 6,267 | 66.9 | 3,107 | 33.1 |
| Fairfield | 2,159 | 43.3 | 2,832 | 56.7 |
| Georgetown | 1,058 | 27.5 | 2,787 | 72.5 |
| Greenville Greenville County, South Carolina - External Links :*... |
4,172 | 70.7 | 1,729 | 29.3 |
| Horry Horry County, South Carolina Horry County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. This name honored Revolutionary War Hero, Peter Horry. Brigadier General Horry was born in South Carolina sometime around 1743 and started his distinguished military career in 1775 as one of 20 captains the Provincial Congress... |
1,939 | 76.7 | 588 | 23.3 |
| Kershaw | 1,757 | 46.0 | 2,063 | 54.0 |
| Lancaster | 1,541 | 55.5 | 1,236 | 44.5 |
| Laurens | 2,916 | 61.8 | 1,804 | 38.2 |
| Lexington | 2,129 | 62.9 | 1,256 | 37.1 |
| Marion | 3,149 | 55.8 | 2,492 | 44.2 |
| Marlboro | 1,945 | 54.7 | 1,608 | 45.3 |
| Newberry | 2,196 | 44.3 | 2,761 | 55.7 |
| Oconee | 2,083 | 79.9 | 524 | 20.1 |
| Orangeburg | 2,870 | 39.1 | 4,469 | 60.9 |
| Pickens | 2,002 | 83.1 | 406 | 16.9 |
| Richland Richland County, South Carolina Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville... |
2,435 | 38.7 | 3,857 | 61.3 |
| Spartanburg | 4,677 | 76.1 | 1,467 | 23.9 |
| Sumter | 2,382 | 38.2 | 3,859 | 61.8 |
| Union | 2,519 | 59.0 | 1,750 | 41.0 |
| Williamsburg | 1,757 | 41.8 | 2,443 | 58.2 |
| York York County, South Carolina York County is a county located in the north-central section of the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to the 2010 census, the county's population was 226,073. It is the second largest county in the Charlotte metropolitan area... |
3,233 | 56.9 | 2,447 | 43.1 |
Dual governors
Hampton quickly organized his government and made a request to South Carolinians to contribute 10% of their income. South Carolinians, both white and black, paid taxes to the Hampton government and refused to pay taxes to the Chamberlain government, thereby denying the Chamberlain government its last legitimacy and authority apart from the U.S. Army.After the resolution 1876 presidential election
United States presidential election, 1876
The United States presidential election of 1876 was one of the most disputed and controversial presidential elections in American history. Samuel J. Tilden of New York outpolled Ohio's Rutherford B. Hayes in the popular vote, and had 184 electoral votes to Hayes's 165, with 20 votes uncounted...
in favor of Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford B. Hayes
Rutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
, both Chamberlain and Hampton traveled to Washington
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
to discuss with the new president regarding the situation in South Carolina. President Hayes realized that only a massive reintroduction of federal troops would enable Chamberlain to continue as Governor and thus ordered on April 3, 1877 for the removal of federal troops from South Carolina. The departure of Federal troops on April 10 caused Governor Chamberlain and the Republican led government to concede the election to Wade Hampton. A day later on April 11, Hampton became the sole and official governor
Governor of South Carolina
The Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
of the state of South Carolina.
1872
- November - Wade HamptonWade Hampton IIIWade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
called for the redemptionRedeemersIn United States history, "Redeemers" and "Redemption" were terms used by white Southerners to describe a political coalition in the Southern United States during the Reconstruction era which followed the American Civil War...
of the state after hearing of the election of Franklin J. Moses Jr. for GovernorGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
.
1876
- January 6 - Meeting of the Democratic State Committee to reorganize and agree to prepare for the Democratic convention in May.
- April 12–April 14 - Republicans held a state convention in ColumbiaColumbia, South CarolinaColumbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
to elect delegates to the National Convention in CincinnatiCincinnati, OhioCincinnati is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio. Cincinnati is the county seat of Hamilton County. Settled in 1788, the city is located to north of the Ohio River at the Ohio-Kentucky border, near Indiana. The population within city limits is 296,943 according to the 2010 census, making it Ohio's...
. - May 4–May 5 - Democrats held a state convention in Columbia to elect delegates to the National Convention in St. LouisSt. Louis, MissouriSt. Louis is an independent city on the eastern border of Missouri, United States. With a population of 319,294, it was the 58th-largest U.S. city at the 2010 U.S. Census. The Greater St...
. - July 8 - Violence at HamburgHamburg MassacreThe Hamburg Massacre was a key event of South Carolina Reconstruction. Beginning with a dispute over free passage on a public road, this racially motivated incident concluded with the death of seven men...
in Aiken CountyAiken County, South CarolinaAiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
killed 1 white and 6 blacks. Governor Chamberlain's remonstrances ineffective. - August 15–August 17 - Democratic convention in Columbia adopted a platform and selected Wade HamptonWade Hampton IIIWade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
as their nominee for Governor in the general election. - September 6 - Riots provoked by black Republicans in CharlestonCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
kill 1 white and injure 12 others. - September 13–September 15 - Republican nominating convention met in Columbia and selected Governor ChamberlainDaniel Henry ChamberlainDaniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
as their nominee for Governor in the general election. - September 16–September 19 - Violence at EllentonEllenton, South CarolinaEllenton was a town that was located on the border between Barnwell County and Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. Settled around 1870, it was acquired by the U.S. Atomic Energy Commission in 1950 as part of a site for the Savannah River Plant. It was located between the current CSX...
in Aiken CountyAiken County, South CarolinaAiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
killed 1 white and 40 blacks. - October 4 - A document signed by Governor ChamberlainDaniel Henry ChamberlainDaniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
stated that he had no effective control of state government and was entirely dependent upon Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
. He threatened to use the soldiers to bring economic damage to the state if he was not elected Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
. - October 7 - Governor Chamberlain orders rifle clubs to disperse and that any unorganized militias were forbidden.
- October 16 - Black Republicans ambushed unarmed white men near Cainhoy killing 6 whites and injuring 16. Only 1 black man was killed.
- October 17
- President Ulysses S. GrantUlysses S. GrantUlysses S. Grant was the 18th President of the United States as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. Under Grant's command, the Union Army defeated the Confederate military and ended the Confederate States of America...
placed the Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in South Carolina under the command of Governor Chamberlain. - A party of a black militia ambushed 6 white men leaving a Democratic meeting in EdgefieldEdgefield, South CarolinaEdgefield is a town in Edgefield County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,449 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Edgefield County.Edgefield is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area.-Geography:...
, killing 1 and wounding another.
- President Ulysses S. Grant
- October 23 - A black mob laid siege to the town of Mt. Pleasant for the night, forcing the white citizens into a single house. The mob left in the morning threatening to return and kill everyone in the town.
- November 7 - Election day.
- November 8 - Black Republicans attacked whites on Broad Street in Charleston when somebody yelled incorrectly that Edmund W.M. Mackey had been killed. In the altercation, 1 white was killed and 12 were wounded; 1 black was killed and 11 others were wounded.
- November 22 - State Board of Canvassers throws out the results from Edgefield and Laurens counties.
- November 28 - Governor Chamberlain orders Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
to occupy the State HouseSouth Carolina State HouseThe South Carolina State House is the building housing the government of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The building houses the South Carolina General Assembly and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. Until 1971, it also housed the Supreme Court...
to prevent the recently elected Democratic majority in the House of RepresentativesSouth Carolina House of RepresentativesThe South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
from taking power. The Democratic members left the State House and organized at Carolina Hall. - November 30 - The Democratic legislators returned to the State House and assumed leadership of the House of Representatives. However, the Republican members threatened violence and the Democratic members left the chamber.
- December 3 - The Republican House of Representatives planned to eject the Democratic members from Edgefield and Laurens counties through the use of force from the black "Hunkidori Club" in Charleston. The plot was discovered by the Democrats and over 5,000 white men from all over South Carolina assembled in Columbia to prevent the removal of the members.
- December 4 - The Democrats adjourned and left the State House, returning to Carolina Hall in order to prevent bloodshed.
- December 5 - Republican led General AssemblySouth Carolina General AssemblyThe South Carolina General Assembly, also called the South Carolina Legislature, is the state legislature of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The legislature is bicameral and consists of the lower South Carolina House of Representatives and the upper South Carolina Senate. Altogether, the General...
elects Chamberlain as Governor. - December 6 - South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that the Democrat, William H. Wallace, was the legally elected Speaker of the House. The commander of the Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
in the State HouseSouth Carolina State HouseThe South Carolina State House is the building housing the government of the U.S. state of South Carolina. The building houses the South Carolina General Assembly and the offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor of South Carolina. Until 1971, it also housed the Supreme Court...
declared that he would ignore the decision of the Supreme Court and exclude the Democratic members from the HouseSouth Carolina House of RepresentativesThe South Carolina House of Representatives is the lower house of the South Carolina General Assembly, the upper house being the South Carolina Senate. It consists of 124 Representatives elected to two year terms at the same time as US Congressional elections...
. - December 7 - Governor ChamberlainDaniel Henry ChamberlainDaniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
inaugurated as the Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
for a second term. - December 14 - The Democratic legislators tabulated the votes and declared Wade HamptonWade Hampton IIIWade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
. He took the oath of office for GovernorGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
and was inaugurated on the same day. - December 20 - Governor ChamberlainDaniel Henry ChamberlainDaniel Henry Chamberlain was a planter, lawyer, author and the 76th Governor of South Carolina from 1874 until 1877....
issues a pardon for Peter Smith at the State penitentiary. The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled on appeal that Governor Chamberlain was not the legally elected Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
and therefore not entitled to the powers of the office. - December 22 - The Republican led General Assembly adjourned.
- December 29 - Senator John Brown GordonJohn Brown GordonJohn Brown Gordon was one of Robert E. Lee's most trusted Confederate generals during the American Civil War. After the war, he was a strong opponent of Reconstruction and is thought by some to have been the titular leader of the Ku Klux Klan in Georgia during the late 1860s. A member of the...
of GeorgiaGeorgia (U.S. state)Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
proposed a resolution in the US Senate to declare Wade Hampton IIIWade Hampton IIIWade Hampton III was a Confederate cavalry leader during the American Civil War and afterward a politician from South Carolina, serving as its 77th Governor and as a U.S...
as the lawful Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
.
1877
- January 17 - Senator John J. PattersonJohn J. PattersonJohn James Patterson was a businessman and United States Senator from South Carolina. Born in Waterloo, Pennsylvania, he grew up there and attended the public schools, and then attended Jefferson College in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania...
of South Carolina replied to the resolution of Senator Gordon by submitting papers that Governor Chamberlain was the legally elected Governor of South Carolina. - February 9 - Governor Hampton issues a pardon for Tilda Norris, but the superintendent of the state penitentiary refuses to recognize Hampton as Governor and does not release her.
- February 20 - President Grant orders for there to be no parades of the rifle clubs in honor of George WashingtonGeorge WashingtonGeorge Washington was the dominant military and political leader of the new United States of America from 1775 to 1799. He led the American victory over Great Britain in the American Revolutionary War as commander-in-chief of the Continental Army from 1775 to 1783, and presided over the writing of...
's birthday on February 22. - March 7 - The South Carolina Supreme Court ruled that Wade Hampton III was the legally elected governor of South Carolina and was entitled to the powers of the office. After the ruling, Tilda Norris was released.
- March 31 - Hampton and Chamberlain meet with President Rutherford B. HayesRutherford B. HayesRutherford Birchard Hayes was the 19th President of the United States . As president, he oversaw the end of Reconstruction and the United States' entry into the Second Industrial Revolution...
to discuss the situation in South Carolina. - April 3 - President Hayes orders the removal of Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
from South Carolina. - April 10 - Federal troopsUnion ArmyThe Union Army was the land force that fought for the Union during the American Civil War. It was also known as the Federal Army, the U.S. Army, the Northern Army and the National Army...
leave the State House and return to their barracks. - April 11 - At noon, Wade Hampton becomes the sole and official Governor of South Carolina.
See also
- Governor of South CarolinaGovernor of South CarolinaThe Governor of the State of South Carolina is the head of state for the State of South Carolina. Under the South Carolina Constitution, the Governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the South Carolina executive branch. The Governor is the ex officio...
- List of Governors of South Carolina
- South Carolina gubernatorial elections
Primary sources
- U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Privileges and Elections. South Carolina in 1876: Report on the Denial of the Elective Franchise in South Carolina at the State and National Election of 1876, to Accompany Senate Miscellaneous Document 48, Forty-Fourth Congress, Second Session (Washington, D.C., 1877)
External links
- SCIway Biography of Governor Wade Hampton III
- SCIway Biography of Governor Daniel Henry Chamberlain
- Testimony as to the Denial of the Elective Franchise in South Carolina at the Elections of 1875 and 1876, Taken under the Resolution of the Senate of December 5, 1876 - US Congressional Serial Set 44th-2nd S.misdoc 48: Volume 1 Volume 2 Volume 3
- Report of the House of Representatives Regarding the Recent Election in South Carolina - US Congressional Serial Set 44th-2nd H.misdoc 175: House Report