“E” is for the Election of 1876. In 1876 the Democratic Party in South Carolina nominated Civil War hero Wade Hampton III for governor to run against incumbent Republican governor Daniel B. Chamberlain. The Democrats’ strategy of “force without violence” was intended to disrupt and intimidate African-American voters and Republican Party candidates. However, the strategy failed. In 1876 the Republican Party received it highest vote total of the entire Reconstruction Period. The Democrats, however, practiced the voting tactic of “vote early and often.” In some counties there were more Democratic votes than there were residents. Both sides claimed victory, but it was not until Republican President Rutherford B. Hayes pulled federal troops from the state that the issue was finally resolved. Republican Governor Daniel Chamberlain resigned from office and Wade Hampton was sworn in as governor. The Election of 1876 ended Reconstruction in South Carolina.
"E" is for the Election of 1876
