1870 South Carolina gubernatorial election

The Radical Republican reforms and alleged corrupt schemes initiated by Governor Scott after he assumed office in 1868 infuriated the white population of the state. However, the Democratic Party of the state was so thoroughly defeated in the previous gubernatorial election that 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, white conservatives concluded that running a white supremacist campaign in a state where African-Americans were in the majority was futile and ineffective. The conference adopted two policies that would recognize African-American equality and ensure their protection under the law. The other resolution adopted was a campaign to wage against alleged radicalism in favor of a perception for a good and honest government.[2]

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 their perception of 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, called a carpetbagger judge by some was from Charleston and considered of questionable reputation,[3] won the nomination for Governor although he had never sought the position.

The state Republicans 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 Congress to sell public lands in the South to the landless.

Republican support was primarily from recently freed slaves. Reports vary as to alleged black militias drilling into the streets with bayonets fixed, threatening anyone who cast a vote against the Republicans. In addition, leaders of the Union League were influential to many African-American Republicans. As a result, violence erupted within the local communities.[1][4] 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 African-Americans 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 African-American told white conservatives that "before the war you wouldn't let me join your party and now I don't choose to."[5] It was virtually impossible for whites to convince African-American voters to vote for their candidates because Republican leaders repeatedly pointed out that whites only recognized black suffrage at the point of a bayonet.

Not only did the Union Reform party have a difficult task at attracting African-American 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 African-Americans 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.[6] It was estimated that less than half of the white voters in the state bothered to cast a ballot in the election.[7]

The general election was held on October 10, 1870, and Robert Kingston Scott 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, white men who had participated in the Union Reform effort felt they had disrespected their honor associating with African-Americans as their political equal.[5]

1870 South Carolina gubernatorial election map, by percentile by county.

  65+% won by Scott

  60%-64% won by Scott

  55%-59% won by Scott

  50%-54% won by Scott

  50%-54% won by Carpenter

  55%-59% won by Carpenter

  60%-64% won by Carpenter

• Governor of South Carolina
• List of governors of South Carolina
• South Carolina gubernatorial elections

• "Abstract from the Election Returns for 1870." Reports and Resolutions of the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina at the Regular Session, 1870-'71. Columbia, South Carolina: Republican Printing Company, 1871, p. 517.
• Jarrell, Hampton M. (1969). Wade Hampton and the Negro. University of South Carolina Press. pp. 34–35.
• Reynolds, John S. (1969). Reconstruction in South Carolina. Negro University Press. pp. 139–150. ISBN 0-8371-1638-4.
• Williamson, Joel (1990). After Slavery: the Negro in South Carolina during Reconstruction, 1861-1877. University Press of New England. pp. 353–355.
• "The Election Farce". The Charleston Daily Courier. November 10, 1870. p. 2.

• SCIway Biography of Governor Robert Kingston Scott