New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1876-04-28
Tho vermilion Parish Vigilance Com
mlteoO.


m1tteO.
Mr.. F. r. King has issued the following
circular, with a request that it be pub
lished:
SUPPLEMENTARY ADDRESS TO THE PUBLIC.
As there are still some intelligent and re-
spectacle citizens of this parish who affect
to believe that the vigilance committee
should be kept up, and who have hereto.
fore refused to act with it, weuld suggest
to theh that they would show the sincerity
of their words by their acts in becoming
actual members Of the committee. Such
course on their part would afford some
guarantee to the community that the vigil
ance committee would be properly con-
Quoted and confined to its legitimate OBJ
jects. These gentlemen should be consist
ent and not shun the responsibility. If
they encourage the continuance of the
idle spectators and avoid the moral
responsibility of lawless acts committed
by those protesting to represent the vigil
ance committee. In the 0endition of their
final account they will be held accountable
to their God for winking at the perpetration
OF acts which they would not commit them.
selves. By all means should these gentle
men enroll their names in the list of the
vigilance committee. If we must have such
o committee, let it be conducted BY the best
men of the country. In no other way can
sense OF contentment and security be re-
stored to large portion Of the community.
If these gentlemen will not join and thereby
relieve the general anxiety, then they
should not sit idly by and leave the balance
of the community at the mercy Of few
hot-headed, reckless boys, and inconsiderate
men, who take upon themselves the duty of
regulating the community as a vigilance
ccrnmitfaa
The people of Vermilion are getting
heartily tired of midnight visitatiOns Of
mysterious bodies of men styling them.
selves q vigilance committee. 1t is enough
to strike terror to the stoutest hearts, and
am sure these gentlemen would not like
to have their hOmesteads visited in like
manner. Don't wait until your own bull is
gored before crying out, but come forward
at once like true knights and relieve by
the terror which reigns over it. IF have
written feelingly on the subject ON q
former occasion, it was not done
in q vindictive spirit, but because
l am in q position to know the
feeling which pervades . large portion of
tho community, and was not at liberty to
write all that do know concerning the do
ings of men assuming to be members of the
vigilance committee. have at all times
public good, and write for no other pur-
pose. Personally my relations with the
vigilance committee have always been
friendly, but l arm as ready to denounce all
lawless and unjustifiable acts committed
by its members as l have always been to
condemn lawlessness and crime of whatso-
ever nature.
And in conclusion 1 would warn the
people of this parish that unless lawless-
moi ia -,
before the next general election, that an
arbitrary Returning Board will find excuse
in our troubles to reject the whole vote of
the parish. This is one potent reason why
I allege that the vigilance committee should
disband and be heard of no more. Because
the vote of the parish was not rejected at
the last election, it does not follow that it
will be SO at the next.
l believe that on reflection the right
thinking portion of the community will
agree with me in the views have taken.
If I have spoken plainly and in strong
terms, it is because have thought the oc-
casion demanded the use of unqualified
language. 1t was useless any longer to
throw out mere hints which were utterly
disregarded.
This is the last time shall take occasion
to address the public on this subject. If
the community thinks it's interests best
ouUo0A YOU W ouOAAAno 0P0VAy anu AAutAoA
ence on such an important matter, am
content to abide by it's decision, trusting to
my own strong arm for protection in the
general sway Of anarchy and discord.
Respectfully. f. X. KING.
April 16, 1876.
p S.-Since writing the above squad
of about twenty men, miscalled vigilants,
appeared on the opposite side of the bayou
from Abbeville, about the hour of twelve.
Monday night, and after firing volley Of
guns disappeared as mysteri0usly as they
came. The result was many poor fright
ened women passed sleepless night in the
neighborhood. Whittier are we drifting!
Is the country to be converted into turbu-
lent hell and midnight pandemonium?
"How far wilt thou, o Cataline! abuse our
patlence' How long shall thy madness out
brave our justice" F. r. K.