South Carolina State Senator Stephen Atkins Swails, "the Ku-Klux have reappeared directly under the leadership of the Democratic Executive Committee” . . . “Judge Wallace . . . He said that he had no authority to order the men out of the village. They had a constitutional right to bear arms."

The National Republican, Washington, D.C., South Carolina State Senator Stephen Atkins Swails, “But now, emboldened by recent events, and encouraged to believe that the law is powerless to thwart them, the masks are no longer worn; the Ku-Klux have reappeared directly under the leadership of the Democratic Executive Committee” . . . “Judge Wallace . . . He said that he had no authority to order the men out of the village. They had a constitutional right to bear arms. When by the beating of a drum they disturbed his court he had a right to interfere….”, Oct. 15, 1878