The Abbeville banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1847-1869, 1860-01-12
COMMUNICATED.

last issue over tho signature OF Mcssrs. j. L.
N. KNOX requires explanation aud correction.
These gentlemen assure me that they had
no intention to msrepresent the interview
had with them, and to which reference is made
in their communication. 1t is for mo, however,
to make the necessary correction.
In the first place am represented as "Char-
man or member OF the Vigilance Committee"
/ am ueither; and 10 the interview which
had with the Messrs. Knox 80 Informed them.
and was particular in explaining my connec.
tion with the Committee. Again: am repre-
sented as instructing the Messrs. Knox That
"they had no right to sell spirits in any quan.
tity, to any man, if the order for the same was
brought by negro-even by the slave OF the
individual who signed the order" 1 gave no
such instructions.
desire to make a statement Of facts on be.
half of the Vigilance Committee.
Some two months ago a number of the wor
thy and respectable citizens Of ths Village re.
solved themselves into a committee to be
known as the "Abbeville Vigilance Commit
tee"
The object Of this Com mittee was two fold :
lst. To prevent improper mcdjling with our
slaves 10y suspicious persons. And.
I'd. To prevent the liquor traffic with them.
For more than twelve months past drunken
ness Inns been q common evil with our negroes
Scenes of riot and debauch have occurred in
our streetsan even the sanctity of our churches
have been invaded. These abuses have called
loudly for reform. The powers of the Town
Council We're invoked, but it was found that
whilst they could punish the offender they
were powcrlcss to reach the source Of the
evil
Under these circumstances this subject came
before the Vigilance Committee, and they that
resolved they would arrest the evil. They found
OH investigation that the negroes procured the
liquor Oh the order of irresponsible white
men. or it was bought for them by such in,li-
vi'luals-it was hard to reach the individual,
and they were satisfied that the vendcr was
not informed as to the general results of The
traffic.
After full investigation and a thorough dis
cussion Of the subject the Comm ittee became
satisfied that the only way to stop the abuse
wns to cut off the very source of the evil.
was requested by the Committee to wa it on
the Mcs>rs. Knox and inform them Of the great
abuse which followed their sale Of Liquor at
night and under this order system, and 10 ask
them ns good citizens Of this Village, interested
in ITS goad order and welfare to comply with
their wishes in the following particulars:
lst. To close down their cellar door Mt sun
down and not to open it again until sun up of
the next day.
3D. To sell spirituous liquor to no negro upon
my mans order.
Sd. To sell to no irresponsible, worthless
white man.
gave them full particular account of the
abuses which grew out of this Liquor traffic as
then carried on. I gave them many instances
which had come before this Committee. They
assured me that they wero ignorant of these
abuses. and am sure they were.
said to them that this request on the part of
the Committee did not originate in any desire
TO interfere with or control their business ex.
cert in so far as it was necessary for the pro-
lection Of this community and their property
As good citizens they Immediately compiled
with these reasonable wishes, and expressed
their entire willingness to lend their all in any
way 10 preserve the good order of the commu
nifty in which they had their homes.
They have complied most strictly with their
promise and the result is known BY every cit
Zen Of this village. Wehave had good order, So
briefly and obedience with our negroes since.
The checrfuiness and alacrity with which
these young men aided the Com uittee in bring.
ing about this result assure them that, though
comparative strangers in the community; >
they are not strangers TO its peace and welfure
1t seems. however, that some of the good peo
PIE from the country whose orders have not
been hon"red. are making complaint. and am
assured that it was fo- the purpose of answer.
ing this complaint that the card was published
Now if these good citizens will reflect a mo-
ment. if they have reason in them they can
blame neither the Messrs. Knox nor the Vig-
lance Committee.
The Vigilance Committee had either to see
their negroes ruined before their eyes. or they
had to stop the ruinous traffick. The tratfick
could only be stopped by putting stop to the
order system. and this could only be done by
rule W it'll out exception.
To you in the country It is small matter to
ride few miles to purchase in person the
Liquor you wish. To the citizens of this Vii.
lage it is matter Of vital Importance to have
their negroes sober and obedient
JAS. NJ. PERRIN.
The Spanish and Moorish Var. The third corps
Of the Spanish army has landed at Ceuta, 80
teat Marshall O'Donnell has now received all
his renforcements, and may be expected specdi-
ly to commence offensive operations. The
rda which th0oo III 10