The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-09-09
Correspondence. O
EDGEEIELD, g. ii Aug,l

10 His ErccNency Gopcynor ,ScoU
S,n: I desire, for the common good,
~ bring to your attention. the critical
relations Of the white and colorcd popu-
lation of This State.
The proceedings of the late Dcmocra-
nc Convention, at Columbia, have
doubtless come to your kpowlcdgc, in
winch statements were made by dele.
gates from Union and other Districts,
going to show that the negroes arc form
ing in this State, secret military orgnni.
Zauons.
Near this place, there isa company
OF fifty, with II captain, whose name is
known and can be given. On Saturday
last, at a place belonging to Gov. Pick.
chs, who is absent from tho State, they
gave barbecue. This company, or a
part of i, was there drilled by negro
with cpaulettcs OH. 1t is said there arc
other similar organizations in the Dis
trlct. You have also doubtless seen the
announcement made in Charleston
paper, published in The interests of the
colorcd people, that "ovory plantation
has It's captain" On the other hand. It
Is believed, there is not n corporals
guard OF white men in this State, under
military organization, the United States
troops excepted. An intelligent physi.
clan, who Ens the most extensive prac-
t'ce III this section, informs me that
within the range ol his practice, the
negroes arc better armed than the
whltcs--manv with the most approve! :!
weapons. This, with their limited
means, is impossible Of themselves. Be-
sides, we have information that within
n low nights, arms arc to be brought for
them, in wage n, by ono Of their num-
Der. to tins place.
The negroes, it is said, have been told
and believe, that they must organize
thus to protect their liberties; and that
IL Seymour and Blair aro elected, thew
arc to be put back IN slavcry--a thing
That nll Intelligent men know to DO sim.
ply ridiculous. 1t is said, moreover.
and 1T was so stated at tho Convention,
that suoh organizations meet with your
countenanco, Such organizations OF one
race must, ofncccssiLy, lead to similar
organizations ofthc other, for self pre-
sorvat'on. You arc the head of the
conseryators Of the peace in South Caro-
linn ;{nnd il bo truo, which / am relnc.
tant to credit that your Excclloncy il.
countonancing such organizations, L
admonisI you that yoa arc "sowing" for
the negro ',he wind" Of which ho evil
rcap the whirlwind." The conservative
Influences which have been hitherto
exercised in tho interests Of peace, by
tho officers Of the late Confederate army.
and other patsiotio citizens, will bo pow.
erless to keep that peace, if this course
,ot preparation for bloodsl,ed bo no,
arrested. The responsibility tor it's
breach will rost alone on the heads of
the dolhded negroes and their advis.
ers.
Believing that YOU cannot bo indiffer
cnt to the impending dangers, send
YOU tins communication, with tho hone
that yon will at once exercise The
weight of your position and influence, to
arrest tho tendency to anarchy and
blood shed.
" hen war of races shall be inaugn.
rated, 1t 'elnires no prophetic predict
Inc result. However c few may feel
other#isS, white men viii, in general,
sympathize with their own race, and the
glack man must 60 down. The white
mon otthis State, with rare exceptions,
yon y. must have perceived, have no hos.
tiiity to the negro.
IS Ihe negro behaved woIl during the
war, ana IN the main, since, when re.
moved from Tho influence of the emissa.
rles, who have played upon his credul,.
tysand prejudices. But il seducea into
opposing with arms, Democratic success