The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1860-01-20
THE INDEP PRESS.
COMMUNICATED.

COMMUNICATED. -
Mr.. EplroR R:-The Card published in your
last issue over the signature OF Messre. J. &
N. KNOX requires explanation and correction.
These gentlemen assure me that they had
no intention to msrcpresent the interview l
had with them, and to which reference is made
in their communication. 1t is for the. however,
to make the necessary correction.
In the first place am represented rs "Chair-
man or member Of the Vigilance Committee"
! am uetlher; and in the interview which l
had with the Messrs. Knox 30 informed them,
and wns particular in explaining my connec-
ton with the Committee. Again: am repre-
scnted rs instructing tho Messrs. Knox that
"they had no right to sell spirits in nny quan.
tity, to any man, if the order for the came " as
brought by negro-even by the elave of the
individual who signed the order" l gave no
such instructions.
desire to make n statement Of fucts on be-
half of the Vigilance Committee.
Some two months ago n number of the wor.
thy and respectable citizens of this Village re-
solved themselves into a committee to be
known as the "Abbeville Vigilance Commit
tee."
The object of this Committee was two fold:
lst. To prevent improper meddling with our
slaves by suspicious persons. And,
I'd. To prevent the LIQUOR traffic with them
For more thnn twelve months past drunken
ness has been a common evil with our negroes
Scenes Of riot and debauch have occurred in
our streets, and even the sanctity Of our churches
have been invaded. These abuses have caffcd
loudly for reform. The powers of the Town
| Council were invoked, but it was found that
whilst they could punish the offender they
were powerless to reach the source of the
| evil.
Under these circumstances this subject came
before the Vigilance Committee, and they tina l.
| resolved they would arrest the evil. They foun j
on investigation that the negroes procured the
liqnor on The order Of irresponsible white
men, or it was bought for them by such inli-
viduals-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 thorough dis
cussion of the subject the Comm ittee became
satisfied chat the only way to stop the abuse
was to cut off the very source of the evil
was requested by the Committee to wait on
| the Messrs. Knox and inform them Of the great
abuse which followed their sale Of Liquor at
night and under this order svstem and to ask
them MS good citizens of this Village. interested
| in Its gond order and welfare to comply will,
their wishes in the following particulars
| let. To close down their cellar door at sun
down and no. to open it again until sun up OF
| the next day.
Cd. To sell spirtuous liquor to no negro upon
any mans order.
! Sd. To sell to no irresponsible, worthless
white man. q
gave them full particular account of the
abuses which grew out Of this Liquor traffic rs
then carried on. gave them many instances
which had come before this Conmitte They
| assured me that they were ignorant Of these
abuses, and am sur. they were.
said to them that this request on the part Of
the Committee did not originate in any desire
to interfere " ith or control their business ex
cePt IN so far as 1t was necessary for the pro-
lection Of this community and their property
AS good citizens they Immediately complied
with these reasonable wishes, and expressed
| their entire willingness to lend their aid in nny
way to 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 citi
zen of this village. We have had good order, so.
briefly and obedience with our negroes since
| The cheerfuiness and alacrity with which
these young men aided the Com nittee in bring
ing sAout this result assure them that, though
"c"mparative strangers in the community ;
they are not strangers to its peace and welfare
| 1t seems. however, that some Of the good peo
pie from the country whose orders have moi
been honored, are making complaint and an
assured that it was fo- the purpose of answer
ing this complaint chat the card was published
Now if these good citizens will reflect mo
ment, if they have reason in them they CO,
blame neither the Messrs. Knox nor the Vigi
lance Committee.
The Vigilance Committee had either to se
their negroes ruined before their eyes, or they
had to stop the ruinous tgafick. Tho trafficl
could only be stopped by putting stop to the
order system, and this could only be done by
rule without exception.
To you in the country it is a small matter t
ride few miles to purchase in person III
Liquor you wish To the citizens Of this Vii
lage it is a matter of vital Importance to hav
their negroes sober and obedient
JAS NJ. PERRIN.
SOUTHERN HOUSE IN NEW YORK.
The New York correspondent of the Charles