<P> Using as a model the "Mississippi Plan", which had redeemed that state in 1874, South Carolina whites used intimidation, violence, persuasion, and control of the blacks . In 1876, tensions were high, especially in Piedmont towns where the numbers of blacks were fewer than whites . In these counties, blacks sometimes made up a narrow majority . There were numerous demonstrations by the Red Shirts--white Democrats determined to win the upcoming elections by any means possible . The Red Shirts turned the tide in South Carolina, convincing whites that this could indeed be the year they regain control and terrorizing blacks to stay away from voting, due to incidents such as the Hamburg Massacre in July, the Ellenton riots in October, and other similar events in Aiken County and Edgefield District . Armed with heavy pistols and rifles, they rode on horseback to every Republican meeting, and demanded a chance to speak . The Red Shirts milled among the crowds . Each selected a black man to watch, privately threatening to shoot him if he raised a disturbance . The Redeemers organized hundreds of rifle clubs . Obeying proclamations to disband, they sometimes reorganized as missionary societies or dancing clubs--with rifles . </P> <P> They set up an ironclad economic boycott against black activists and scalawags who refused to vote the Democratic ticket . People lost jobs over their political views . They beat down the opposition--but always just within the law . In 1876, Wade Hampton made more than forty speeches across the state . Some Black Republicans joined his cause; donning the Red Shirts, they paraded with the whites . Most scalawags "crossed Jordan", as switching to the Democrats was called . </P> <P> On election day, there was intimidation and fraud on all sides, employed by both parties . Edgefield and Laurens counties had more votes for Democratic candidate Wade Hampton III than the total number of registered voters in either county . The returns were disputed all the way to Washington, where they played a central role in the Compromise of 1877 . Both parties claimed victory . For a while, two separate state assemblies did business side by side on the floor of the State House (their Speakers shared the Speaker's desk, but each had his own gavel), until the Democrats moved to their own building . There the Democrats continued to pass resolutions and conducted the state's business, just as the Republicans were doing . The Republican State Assembly tossed out results of the tainted election and reelected Chamberlain as governor . A week later, General Wade Hampton III took the oath of office for the Democrats . </P> <P> Finally, in return for the South's support of his own convoluted presidential "victory" over Samuel Tilden, President Rutherford B. Hayes withdrew federal troops from Columbia and the rest of the South in 1877 . The Republican government dissolved and Chamberlain headed north, as Wade Hampton and his Redeemers took control . </P>

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