The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-09-11

among the blacks, Ia TACT scarce need
ing confirmation of proof, being open
ly Wanted by their leaders, and to
claim-1st, from the Executive of the
State; I'd, this failing us, from the Pre-
sident of the United States. such
protection to life, property and the
public peace, as we have a right,
under the laws, (they have sworn to
enforce,) to expect and demand.
And, further, we do respectfully rep
resent that, latter this information
formally given to the constituted
authorities, should conflict of races,
with all its concomitant and con.e-
quent horrors, be provoked by the
threats of war, openly uttered, and
by the warlike preparations, openly,
vauntingly and defiantly made by the
blacks, the whites of the State, who
earnestly deprecate such q conflict,
the whites who have exercised in the
past, and We sincerely trust and be-
lleve will continue to exercise in the
future, all possible forbearance, must
be held guiltless, in the Judgment of
every right-minded man, Of conse-
quences they are powerless to avert.
We, the citizens of Spartanburg
District, would, therefore, unite with
all true citizens and lovers of good
order and peace of both races, in
petitioning, first the Executive of the
State, and then the President of the
United States, to interfere by such
steps as their wisdom may suggest,
and as they are by law empowered to
take to maintain the public peace,
and to secure to persons of all classes
and races, life, liberty and property,
free from attempted intimidation by
armed bands of lawless rufians.
ResOlced, unanimously, That COM
mittee of three be appointed to for
ward copies of this petition and
remonstrance to the Governor of the
State, and to the President of the
United States, on behalf of the citi-
zens Of Spartanburg District.
J. STEWART HANCKEL,
VIM. K. BLAKE,
s. @. MEANS,
AUGUST 27, 1868. Committee.
ConUA1BIA, September 1, 1868.
1essrs. j. ,Ste,cart Hanckel, Vm. X.
Blake and S. C. Means, Committee,
dc.
GENTLEMEN: Your communication
of the 9th ultimo, enclosing a "pe-
tition and remonstrance, from citi-
zens of Spartanburg, has been re-
ceived.
1t gives me pleasure that you and
other citizens of that County are
earnestly desirous of maintaining the
public peace, and ensuring the pre-
valence of law and order; and I sim
cerely hope that not only your Coun-
ty, but the rest of our State may
enjoy that immunity from disturb
ance which has prevailed in Spartan
burg since the war. Candor compels
me to express, however, the regret
feel, that your fellow-ci have
deemed it proper to announce in
their petition that an attempt" at
violence" on the part of "any evil
disposed blacks, would be met by
short and sharp retribution.'
This expression has, to the popu-
lar mind, Specification quite at va
rance with the regular execution of
the due process of law, and. it may
be feared, would be regarded by citi-
2ens o. tie more ignorant classes,
and perhaps by many comparatively
we'll Informed, as threat to commit
violence, which, L have no doubt,
it IS your chief desire TO avoid.
In times like these, when two great
political parties are arrayed against
each other in canvass of unusual
excitement, words and acts, harmless
under other circumstances, may be.
come incentives to lawless acts. A
heavy moral responsibility rests
upon all classes, and especially upon
those who are possessed of position
and intelligence, to avoid the use OF
Incorporate or even imprudent Ian
guage; and everything which looks
like advice to the people to prepare
themselves to resist violence that
does not exist, has O tendency to
create the very evils against which
such preparation is supposed to be
made. While acquit the citizens OF
Spartanburg of any intention to
bring on disturbance, and give them,
on the other hand, the fullest credit
for desire to maintain the peace, ]
have felt ut liberty to say so much,
by way of comment, on the language
of the petition, and of suggestion Of
the moderation L fain would see cha.
ractoriZo tha tlttarancea of all well