William Hepworth Dixon, White Conquest: Volume 2

[157] out their companies, and blood is certain to be shed. Two years ago Governor Chamberlain declined to interfere. With his blandest smile, he told his visitor that a great deal was being made out of nothing ; while his franker secretary said these troubles only paid the tyrants back in their own coin.

But Governor Chamberlain is now open to reason, and having heard fresh complaints from the border county, he has sent a Republican magistrate, Judge Mackey, to look into the facts and report what should be done. Mackey has just returned. This Republican magistrate reports, that, contrary to an express Article in the State Constitution, the coloured officers in Edgefield county have been in the constant habit of calling out their companies, and taking part in street rows. He lays the blame of nearly all disorder on the abuses of Negro government. He declares that since the days when Norman barons put their iron collars round the throats of Saxon thralls, no people speaking the English language have been subjected to such gross indignities as the White inhabitants of Edgefield county. Mackey concludes his report by