The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-03-05
PUBLIC MEETING IN WALTERBORO'.

| PUBLIC MEETING IN WALTEhbOhO'.
To the Editors of the Neps:
At full meeting of the citizens OF Walter
boro', held in the Courthouse on the afternoon
of Wednesday, the 9th instant the Hon. Car
los Tracy was requested to take the chair, and
Robert Campbell Esq, was appointed Secre-
tary.
On taking the chair, the presiding officer
stated that, twelve months ago harmony and
order existed in this town among, the white
the colored, and the black population, without
any apparent desire for encroachment by any
one upon the rights of persons and of proper
ty. That subsequently, a garrison of United
States coIored troops had been sent to this
place, and that dis order very shortly became
rife in the community; that these disorders
were at first nettE rnhhnri------<l.h .hc cpci.---A-
ment by these troops upon The right by the
white congregations to the exclusive use OF
those portions ofther churches which they had
set apart for their own use; that subsequently
arson had been attempted; persons IN civil
life. both white and black, had been assaulted
wantonly in the daytime and nthe nighttime;
rud these disorders had eliminated the night
nreyious, in the striking down in his store, by
nersons in the garb Of these soldiers, OF one OF
the most harmless and inoflensve OF human
beings Mr. B. T. Bradford, who now lies be-
yond the hope OF recovery. That all these
offences aeainot law and order were traceabe,
he was credibly informed, by evidence moro OF
less direct, 10 the colored troops; that several
circumstances had occurred not long since
which had, in his Judgment, the effect OF in
creasing the aggressive temper OF these vio-
Iators of oil der; and these were believed 10
proceed, unfortunately, from the conduct
of n few persons residents OF this place;
that sometime last summer an in
Guiry, it was understood, had been made by
the military authorities Us to there being suita-
BILE persons, white or colored, in this communl-
ty to receive an appointment as councl'men,
and that the presiding officer had been III
formed On altogether reliable authority that
tho councimen appointed had been lecom-
mended by residents here; that these c'uncl-
men. so recommended, as was well known, were
n foreigner, who can, with difficulty, read,
write and speak the English language; North
crner recently como amongst us, not known to
own any visible property; coorcl man who is
IL notorious street drunkard; another colored
man who is an object of charity, and q third
colored person totally without inform laon to
fit him for the position. That il was mani
fest that the appointing military authorities
had been imposed on by the recommendations
of the fitness of these persons aud that tue
marshal of this council--a nesro-had recent
ly enforced law which operated against the
white and not against the colored population;
that these proceedings were such gross viola
tions of right, that the effect was to persuade
the ignorant that liberty was license, and the
passions OF the strong, law; that in addition
, to this, when an effort had been made some
time since for the removal of the troops sta.
toned at this place, petition ior their roten.
ton, it had recently been ascertained, had pro-
ceedcd, it was believed, from the same persons
{ who had been instrumental in recommending
n council such as the above, and perhaps from
7 others, which had resulted in these troops
being retained; and that an indignant conmu
, nifty had now assembled to express its scuse il
T. relation to the imposition upon the military il
! respect to the appointment of the council, ant
as to the causes OF our public disorder.
: At the close of these remarks by the Chair
F. G. Behre, Esq, arose and asked leave Il
! offer q preamble and resolutions. a debate OIL
| these sprung up, in which many gentlemen
7 present participated, and from which it mp
peared by the statement OF Mr.. Burbidsc, mad
} in the meeting, that he kept .hc books OF th
council and advised it generally. After iul
discussion, The following were adopted:
q Whereas, 1t is understood that the Unite
States colored troops at this place were som
time since about to be removed; -4nd ache, cas-
IL is now certainly ascertamed that petition
was forwarded to the Commanding General, b.
9 certain persons in our midst, for the retention
! of these troops, which, it is believed, ha
G caused their stay: 49,
Pesolued. That in the sense Of this meeting
L the rotous and dsorderly conduct of the SAT-
! troops. th ir maltreatment of our inhabitants
i botn white and colored, their disturbance @
!, n our public worship, and the terror with whic
- they inspire our families by their midnight OF
J. eies, is due to the course pursued by the sign
e ers of this petition.
q Resolued, That the blood Of Mr.. Bradford,
! remarkably peaceful and nofensive citizen
q who was last night, on his own premises, bru
tally stricken down, bleeding and dying, b
il men in the garb OF these troops, is the resul
n of this petition.
d Resolued, That in the opinion of this meet