The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1870-03-11
VOLUME y 7 xVII--,--:NitOa,,.~.4l II Il - e.:
Christian charity 90, characteristic Of
all we'll regulated communities.

ail we'll regulated, communities
Io attempt. q comment upon the
testimony, and a reference to the;va
rious questions and answers would be
a task as epdless as it would be use.
less; and to fill out, or report with ex.
itravagant sensational assertions. not
supported by evidence, would savor
alike of puerility and ignorance.
1t cannot be denied that many of
the poor ignorant, helpless colored
people have been shamefnlly defraud-
ed and abused; that they have been
despised for color for which they
arc more. responsible for their exist
ence, and persecutod for freedom,
for which they arc no moro, culpable
than for their, color. And, it is the
opinion of this portion of the COM
miItteo', that had the Legislature de-
voted as much time to tho considera-
ton of the prosperity of these people
rs it haste tho prosperity OF private
individuals and corporations, much OF:
their poverty might have been re-
lleved, and much of their ignorance
dispelled or had the, Executive been
as viglant in regard to their interest
as he had in regard to the interest of
the bondholdors of the North, MANY
OF their prosecutions might have
been averted, and many of their
abuses healed.
No one can !ail to be struck, upon
reading the evidence taken by the
committee, with the many vague, in
coherent, and ludicrous accounts giy-
ell by these poor colorcd people
many Of whom are too ignorant to
know their own names-of Hercu.
lean size, hideous proportions and
diabolical features of what they call
the."klu KluN." And it affords me
great pleasure to bo able TO report,
that having "thoroughly invcstiga-
ted the matter, L am of opinion, that
the ghosts, hobgoblins, jack -o'-the
lanterns, and "Klu Kluxcs" of tho
Third Congressional District, are but
Callotropic conditions of the witches of
New England, whose larvae, having
long been dormant until transported
hither in the wardrobe of some pious
political priest, gerrninatcd in tho too
credulous minds of their poor prose
lytes, and. .toomedsinto luxuriance in
the fertile fields of their own vivid
imaginations. ,.n ,.,r..e DO
t. 1t also affords me great pleasure to
be able to report that, by. careful cx-
animation OF the evidence taken by
the committee, it will be seen that
the colossal reports of tho gigantic
election frauds at the various voting
places in the Counties of Newberry,
Abbevilie and Anderson, made ex-
pressly to the order of some cadet
ship.sslling CONGRESSMAN; are; not
merely exaggerated statements of d.
nlinutive truths, but are ass absolutely
'falsesas the baseless fabric of a fad2
ing .yision.'"; sfansr ~ a4>. ios
ii The majority ofoyour Committee
having referred : your honorable,
body to the testimony of but, a few
Eof ( II tho many who testified before u.s.,
il order to prove their assertions, the
minority would most respectfully call
your attention to the testimony of
all the others who "testifcd before u.s."
to prove the fallacy Of the statements
Of the majority Of the committee,
and to demonstrate tho truthfulness
Fof the propositions of the minority
and in hnmble imitatsion of the ma
jofity report. I shall conclude my re-
marks by calling the attention of
your honorable .body.to the exist
enee,.. in the Third, Congressional Diss
II ttricet, Of thoroughly organised par
ty", called the "Union League" which
party has an offspring known as the
''1nrestigating Committee" the real
object and intention Of which Is to
accumulate capital for the coming
Cam paign.s *:;f'>3 !" :'E0'hs.i Htl s@
y All Of which is respectfully submit
ted. - v.r"Es e?r3; @IHV -, 80
!, =. '-9' 3. JAvAN BRYANT. -
Cor. Charleston Nes0s.". yeo - :