South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1870
Encyclopedia
The 1870 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held on October 10, 1870 to select the governor
of the state of South Carolina
. Governor Robert Kingston Scott
easily won reelection based entirely on the strength of the black vote in the state. The election was significant because it proved to the white conservatives of the state that political harmony between the white and black races was impossible and only through a straightout Democratic attempt would they be able to regain control of state government.
of the state. However, the Democratic Party of the state
was so thoroughly defeated in the previous gubernatorial election
that the white conservatives realized the only way to seriously contest the election of 1870 was through the formation of a new political party. They organized a conference in Columbia
on March 16 to formulate policies for the upcoming campaign. From the results of the previous election, the white conservatives concluded that running a white supremacist campaign in a state where the blacks were in the majority was futile and ineffective. The conference thus adopted two policies that would recognize blacks as equals to the whites and ensure their protection under the law. The only other resolution adopted was for the campaign to be waged against radicalism and in favor of good and honest government.
A nominating convention was held in Columbia on June 15 to select nominees for the state offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In addition, a committee was formed at the convention to finalize the platform that the party would run on in the fall campaign. The chairman of the committee, Matthew Butler
, submitted a paper with positions that would enforce the Fifteenth Amendment
, uphold the existing laws enacted by the Radical Republicans, and to restore honesty and accountability in the state government. Furthermore, it was recommended that the new political party be called the Union Reform Party of South Carolina
. Richard B. Carpenter, a carpetbagger
judge from Charleston
of questionable reputation, won the nomination for Governor although he had never sought the position.
renominated Governor Scott unanimously for a second two-year term at their state convention in Columbia on July 26 and July 27. Policies adopted on their platform included the continuation of support for civil rights
and to request for Congress
to sale public lands in the South
to the landless.
who were coerced to continue their loyalty to the Republicans by the black militias and the Union League
. The black militias drilled in the streets with bayonets fixed and threatened anyone who would dare cast a vote against the Republicans. Leaders of the Union League demagogued and urged black Republicans to violence against the white community. Additionally, former Governor Orr
advocated for white voters to support the Republican ticket because only through the Republican party would reform be achieved and many of their policies were favorable to the white people.
Even though most blacks faced grave threats if they opted to support the Union Reform ticket, many sincerely refused to even consider a candidate other than a Republican. One black told the white conservatives that "before the war you wouldn't let me join your party and now I don't choose to." It was virtually impossible for the whites to convince the black voters to vote for their candidates because Republican leaders repeatedly pointed out that the whites only recognized black suffrage at the point of a bayonet.
Not only did the Union Reform party have a difficult task at attracting black voters, it also faced a disillusioned white electorate. The more extreme base of white voters simply were not willing to vote for any political party that allowed for blacks to participate as equals to the whites. Wade Hampton
returned from his affairs in Mississippi
to rally support for the Union Reform cause, but he encountered lukewarm support at best. It was estimated that less than half of the white voters in the state bothered to cast a ballot in the election.
was reelected as governor of South Carolina
. Turnout for the election was high as Radical Republicans sought to discourage any future attempts of an organized opposition by show of force at the polls. The devastating defeat suffered by the Union Reform Party led to its demise and it never again functioned as a political party
. Moreover, the white men who had participated in the Union Reform effort felt that they had disrespected their honor through the association of blacks as their political equal.
|-
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
| Union Reform
| Richard B. Carpenter
| align="right" | 51,537
| align="right" | 37.7
| align="right" | +37.7
|-
| colspan=5 |Republican
hold
|-
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...
. Governor Robert Kingston Scott
Robert Kingston Scott
Robert Kingston Scott was an American Republican politician, the 74th Governor of South Carolina, and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
easily won reelection based entirely on the strength of the black vote in the state. The election was significant because it proved to the white conservatives of the state that political harmony between the white and black races was impossible and only through a straightout Democratic attempt would they be able to regain control of state government.
Union Reform Convention
The Radical Republican reforms and corrupt schemes initiated by Governor Scott after he assumed office in 1868 infuriated the white populationWhite people
White people is a term which usually refers to human beings characterized, at least in part, by the light pigmentation of their skin...
of the state. However, the Democratic Party of the state
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 so thoroughly defeated in the previous gubernatorial election
South Carolina gubernatorial election, 1868
The 1868 South Carolina gubernatorial election was held for three days from April 14 to April 16, 1868 to select the governor of the state of South Carolina. The election for statewide offices was held simultaneously with the vote on the South Carolina Constitution of 1868...
that the white conservatives realized the only way to seriously contest the election of 1870 was through the formation of a new political party. They organized a conference 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...
on March 16 to formulate policies for the upcoming campaign. From the results of the previous election, the white conservatives concluded that running a white supremacist campaign in a state where the blacks were in the majority was futile and ineffective. The conference thus adopted two policies that would recognize blacks as equals to the whites and ensure their protection under the law. The only other resolution adopted was for the campaign to be waged against radicalism and in favor of good and honest government.
| Union Reform 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... |
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|---|---|---|
| Candidate | Votes | % |
A nominating convention was held in Columbia on June 15 to select nominees for the state offices of Governor and Lieutenant Governor. In addition, a committee was formed at the convention to finalize the platform that the party would run on in the fall campaign. The chairman of the committee, 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...
, submitted a paper with positions that would enforce the Fifteenth Amendment
Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution
The Fifteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution prohibits each government in the United States from denying a citizen the right to vote based on that citizen's "race, color, or previous condition of servitude"...
, uphold the existing laws enacted by the Radical Republicans, and to restore honesty and accountability in the state government. Furthermore, it was recommended that the new political party be called the Union Reform Party of South Carolina
Union Reform Party of South Carolina
The Union Reform Party of South Carolina was a political party of South Carolina during Reconstruction. Originally called the Citizen's Party, it was founded by reform minded Republicans in the spring of 1870 to oppose the reelection of Governor Robert Kingston Scott...
. Richard B. Carpenter, a carpetbagger
Carpetbagger
Carpetbaggers was a pejorative term Southerners gave to Northerners who moved to the South during the Reconstruction era, between 1865 and 1877....
judge from Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston 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...
of questionable reputation, won the nomination for Governor although he had never sought the position.
Republican Convention
The state 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...
renominated Governor Scott unanimously for a second two-year term at their state convention in Columbia on July 26 and July 27. Policies adopted on their platform included the continuation of support for civil rights
Civil rights
Civil and political rights are a class of rights that protect individuals' freedom from unwarranted infringement by governments and private organizations, and ensure one's ability to participate in the civil and political life of the state without discrimination or repression.Civil rights include...
and to request for Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
to sale public lands in 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...
to the landless.
Campaign
Republican support was mainly generated from the recently freed slavesFreedman
A freedman is a former slave who has been released from slavery, usually by legal means. Historically, slaves became freedmen either by manumission or emancipation ....
who were coerced to continue their loyalty to the Republicans by the black militias and the Union League
Union League
A Union League is one of a number of organizations established starting in 1862, during the American Civil War to promote loyalty to the Union and the policies of Abraham Lincoln. They were also known as Loyal Leagues. They comprised upper middle class men who supported efforts such as the United...
. The black militias drilled in the streets with bayonets fixed and threatened anyone who would dare cast a vote against the Republicans. Leaders of the Union League demagogued and urged black Republicans to violence against the white community. Additionally, former Governor Orr
James Lawrence Orr
James Lawrence Orr was an American politician who served as Speaker of the United States House of Representatives in the United States Congress...
advocated for white voters to support the Republican ticket because only through the Republican party would reform be achieved and many of their policies were favorable to the white people.
Even though most blacks faced grave threats if they opted to support the Union Reform ticket, many sincerely refused to even consider a candidate other than a Republican. One black told the white conservatives that "before the war you wouldn't let me join your party and now I don't choose to." It was virtually impossible for the whites to convince the black voters to vote for their candidates because Republican leaders repeatedly pointed out that the whites only recognized black suffrage at the point of a bayonet.
Not only did the Union Reform party have a difficult task at attracting black voters, it also faced a disillusioned white electorate. The more extreme base of white voters simply were not willing to vote for any political party that allowed for blacks to participate as equals to the whites. 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...
returned from his affairs in Mississippi
Mississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
to rally support for the Union Reform cause, but he encountered lukewarm support at best. It was estimated that less than half of the white voters in the state bothered to cast a ballot in the election.
Election results
The general election was held on October 10, 1870 and Robert Kingston ScottRobert Kingston Scott
Robert Kingston Scott was an American Republican politician, the 74th Governor of South Carolina, and an officer in the Union Army during the American Civil War.-Early life and career:...
was reelected as governor 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...
. Turnout for the election was high as Radical Republicans sought to discourage any future attempts of an organized opposition by show of force at the polls. The devastating defeat suffered by the Union Reform Party led to its demise and it never again functioned as a political party
Political party
A political party is a political organization that typically seeks to influence government policy, usually by nominating their own candidates and trying to seat them in political office. Parties participate in electoral campaigns, educational outreach or protest actions...
. Moreover, the white men who had participated in the Union Reform effort felt that they had disrespected their honor through the association of blacks as their political equal.
|-
| bgcolor="#ff00ff" |
| Union Reform
Union Reform Party of South Carolina
The Union Reform Party of South Carolina was a political party of South Carolina during Reconstruction. Originally called the Citizen's Party, it was founded by reform minded Republicans in the spring of 1870 to oppose the reelection of Governor Robert Kingston Scott...
| Richard B. Carpenter
| align="right" | 51,537
| align="right" | 37.7
| align="right" | +37.7
|-
| colspan=5 |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...
hold
|-
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