The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1871-03-17
The Columbia Conference

We learn from the Columbia Union
that upon invitation by his Excellency
the Governor, several of the prominent
citizens of the State assembled at the
Capitol, on Monday evening, to consult
upon the present disturbed condition Of
affairs in the upper portion of the State,
Among those present were Col. Simeon
Fair, ef Newberry, General MCGOWAN, OF
Abbeville, Mr.. Hemphill, of Chester,
General Kershaw, of Camden, General
Easley, of Greenville, Colonel Wallace,
Colonel Connor, of Spartanburg, Messrs.
Simmons, Of the Courier, Pope, seibels
and Ezell, of Columbia, and several
others.
The meeting had no political signifi-
cance whatever, but was composed OF
prominent citizens from all portions OF
the State, who were invited to discuss
the present condition of affairs, and to
suggest remedy for existing troubles.
According to the Union, the principal
cause of the troubles, as forcibly urged
by nearly all the gentlemen, was the
organization and arming of one class OF
race of citizens against the other. II
produced general feeling of insecurity
among the whites, and caused excite
ment and alarm throughout the COM
munity. Whether we'll or ill-founded,
st mattered but little; the feeling eX'
listed, and threatened at any moment to
produce a collision between the races.
The arming of one race led to the arm
ing of the other, as matter OF just
precaution, and as the sole security
against anticipated violence.
In thus expressing their views, we are
sure that these gentlemen represent the
Opinions of our entire white population.
Were the races equally balanced, and
did the organization and arming of the
whites go hand in hand with that OF
the blacks, there would be less cause of
trouble, and less reason for alarm. But
where black companies are solely organ
ized, and Winchesterrifes given to blacks
alone, the effect is to make one race
iisolent and orerbearing In the posses
sion of newly-sotten power, and the
other restive under the consciousness
that they are to seek protection, not in
the safeguards of the law and the aid
of the civil authorities, but in the
strength of their own right arms. Such
has been. .th. e fruitful source of the trou-
6ies in5tnion,. York, Chester and Lau-
tfsps, and wtrich will naturally produce
disorder as long as the present militia
;Gsstem IS naaintaihed. Z. e Z :.
Another fruitful source Of complaint,
as urged at the conference, was the
profigacy and extravaganza of Leg
-islature which represented so little OF
the material wealth, of the State, and
d. yet imposed so unequal and oppressive
taxation. It was system of taxation
neutrality-suspicious." and CALLING in
the highest degree. .-.',i
According to the Union, !'mahy Of the
sentlemsnadn1itted that the per centum
of taxation was not exorbitant, but the
assessments were disproportionate and
unjust, and that, taxes were, in many
instances, ten times as high as they
ought to be. This arises from the in
competency of the Assessors, few of
whom actually know anything about
the value of property, and many more
being governed more by personal spite
than desire to desire to do justice.
This is no doubt true, to q great ex-
tent" H..
1t further says: '"We were highly
gratified with the manly and dignified
positions taken by General MCGOWAN
and Colonel Fair, and, white we have
no particular objections to offer to the
remarks ofany ofthe gentlemen present,
We regard the stand taken by the two
gentlemen named, as pre-eminenty just
and dignitied." -a.'., s.,ss @,.,' ..-
The meeting no doubt will result in
good. It shows On the part of the Gov
ernor.a desire to call to his counsels
some of the best men of the State :. and
this in itself will cause belief that he
really desires to protect the interests of
all its citizens. I'm these efforts he,will
be seconded by the cooperation of all
ood citizens.