The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1874-10-08

the disturbance in Edgefeld, have been
furnished the Nccs and Courier by lead
ing citizens Of that County:
EDGEFIELD COUNTY, September %.
Apprchcnding that exaggerated and
incorrect reports of the late disturbances
in this community may be in circulation,
we BEG to make a statement Of the facts
to the public,
There is a negro captain Of militia by
the name Of Ned Tenant, who lives on
Mr.. ~ O. Glovers plantation, and is a
very turbulent, disorderly person, He
alleged that on Saturday night, the 10Th
inst, two or more unknown parties fired
into the door Of his house, and that there
upon he tapped his drum and began to as
scmb!c his militia. The whites hearing
this and that this man had threatened ito
burn Mr.. Glover and Mr.. Dolly out and clean
out the country" began also to assemble.
Bv twelve o'clock the next day. Sunday,
the negroes had collected with their arms
ut and around Ncd's house in considerable
numbers.
The whites in the meantime had assem-
blcd pountcd, and had partially surroun
1ed the negroes. The negroes ascertain
ing this, sent to Col. Butler, in immediate
command of the whites, proposing to cap,
ituiate. They were allowed to dispersc
without molestation and return to their
homes. Reports Of the probable collision
HAVING been rapidly circulated, several
d.tachm .nts of white men and two com
ranies Of militia reached the vicinity that
evening and night, and az small dctach-
mcnt Of United States troops, but upon
being informed of the situation returned
to their respective homes. Prior to the
organization and arming Of the militia the
most perfect tranquility and good order
prevailed in cur community. The placing
of arms and ammunition in the hands Of
ignorant negroes in q time Of profound
peace and tranquility, when it is not even
pretended that their rights, persons or
property are threatened. much less viola
ted or disturbed, nstigating them to bra
yalo. acts Of violence and threatening de-
portmcnt, is entirely without justification;
not only without Justification, but reck,
less tau!pcring with and disregard Of the
safety and peace oc mind of the women and
children and helpless OF the country; {
frebrand. to .ci at will b. such in"
ccndiaiics as Ned Tenant We are sure
! that those wl:o know us will believe that
We derrccato collision with negroes a,
entirely beneath Tie dignity and charac
ter Of law abiding citizens; that..wc appreci'
ate how lite is to be gained BY .lawlcssncss
blondshcd and disorder and how essential
to the well being of society is the preser-
va.ion Of order and due operation Of 'aw
and that We have withheld mcritcd pun.
ishmcnt from these people when they were
in our power, in Difference to those e!eya
ted principles Of enlightened forhcarancc
/ which wc claim to possess as Intelligent
+ citizens. The leaders of these m:sguided
people, WHO are responsible for !hcir vio'
lence and lawlessmcss. must not mscon
struc this iorboarancc into tc:"porizing
with Their rtckls,sn,ss.
\ recurrence Of such scenes - diSgra
ced the last Sunday in our midst, will
cause to burst upon their heads 4 storm
/ Progressed iu,li-n ltion and pat, nee long
abused. which will be bad for them.
We condcmn the act Of firing into tins
mans door as entirely unjust,labIc and
if lie had rc.ortci to the rcmcli>. which
the }1r has placed in his hands to vindi-
cate and protect h.usclf instead Of APP
pealng 10 an armed mob, lie would have
had tie support and countcnancc oi every
good man il thc country.