The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-04-18
The Press and Banner.
W Wednesday, April IS, 1877.
The LoWndesyilIe Prisoners.

Inc LOWIlueSNlllS pTlSOllcIS uIC ICSpllSu lOl
two weeks. Pnpers 60 tomorrow.
WADE HAMPTON,
Governor.
The matter Of %disposing of these
criminals is everywhere talked of in
this county, and every shade of senti-
meut has been expressed by our citi'
Zens. The sentiment now seems to be
divided into three classes, and the
lines have been and are being pretty
we'll drawn. From the best informa-
ton that we can gather we believe
the public sentiment may be divided
rs follows:
First-A majorityEEof the Lowndes-
VILE township, and various citizens of
the different sections of the county,
whole number.
Second-A large number think that
the execution Of a less number would
satisfy the demand of justice and the
law, better than the execution of the
whole ten.
Third-There are also a large num-
Der in favor of the Communication OF
the sentence of all the prisoners.
It is quite a mistake to suppose that
the people of Lowndesville are mani-
NOUS in their opinions. We have
heard the names of some as good men
in that vicinity as live in Abbeville
county. who are opposed to extreme
measures.
The Jury who found the verdict OF
guilty are, so we are informed,
unanimous for the communication OF
the sentence of O portion of them,
&yhila 6o~a ;ncJu6ipn Col low tba
foreman of the Jury, are anxious to
have the sentence of the whole o!
them committed to Imprisonment.
Judge Cooke, has written a letter to
the Governor recommending the eXer-
else Of Executive clemency in behalf
Of six of the condemned prisoners.
He bases his discrimination upon the
evidence, which he has carefully re-
considered and also upon the repre-
s~entation of the jury.
Last week the Governor wrote to
Gen. MCGOWAN asking for the evil
dence in the case taken in the trial of
these ME and We presume they have
been respited in order that the Govern
or may have ample time to carefully
examine the facts brought outat court.
The Governor, solar as we are inform
ed has not yet determined on the final
action which he will take in the
premises, but it is known that he
leans to the side of mercy. and it is
surmised that not more than half of
them will suffer the extreme penalty
of the law. Whatever Hampton may
do, we shall be satisfied. He has
made fewer mistakes and kept his
head nearer level than any man dur
ing the campaign, and we are willing
to trust to the Judgment of him who
has lead US to a glorious victory. We
shall not complain at whatever he
may deem best, and we are sure WHAT
ever he does will be on his cool, DELHI
crate and honest conviction. We all
know that Hampton never gets excl
ted and never ''goes off half-cocked."
He will read the evidence closely, and
we venture to say the country will
endorse his conclusions.
Sheriff Jones has made all his ar
engagements for the execution.
Messrs. Seal & Sign, under contract
have made the collins, and yesterday
commenced the erection of the scat
fold.
' Monday when the Sheriff read the
telegraphje dispatch from the Cover
nor to the prisoners he stated to them
that none were relieved of the SEN
1ence but that the reprieve was only
to allow the Governor to have time to
examine their case, which greatly
pleased the unfortunate creatures.
One of their number said 1--WE are
glad that General Hampton is going
II take time. That is what we did
mot do up yonder. If General Hamp-
ton thinks WI have violated the law
enough to he hung we won't say a
word. We know he will treat us
right and give US Justice" A month
ago they expressed great desire to
have General Hampton" look into
their cases, and have hoped for sever
al weeks that the General" would
turn his attention to their case. They
seemed to know by instinct that Mr..
Chamberlain could furnish no relief,
rs they thought they would have
been lynched even if he had interpos-
ed in their behalf; but they:feel assur-
ed that all the people will be satis-
fed with what Governor Hampton
may do. The erection of the gallows
however, in full view of the prisoners
had a very depressing effect upon
them yesterday.
We append below the remarks of
the Journal Of Commerce and the
News and Courier on the subject:
THE LOwNDESVILLE PRIsoNERs.---
The communication from an Abbeville
correspondent of the Journal Of Com
1nerce which suggested that Governor
Hampton might find sufficient excuse to
to commute the sentences of some OF
the negro tiends who are under sentence
of death for the killing of Mr.. Clayton
Allen, c Lowndesville, seems to have
provoked the unnecessary ire of some OF
our Abbeville readers. We agree with all
Of the gentlemen who have published
cards upon the subject, that the prisoners
were fairly tried, justly sentenced, and
that all Of them deserve death; but
"RusticuS" goes a little too far, we think
when he say elf Governor Hampton
would have this community to respect
tho majesty of the law, he must let the
sentence of the lar be eEecMtcd.''---Jour-
naI Of Commerce.
The LowNDEsvILLE PnIsoNERs.--
We have read what has been said for and
against the Communication of the sentence
of six or seven of the Lowndesville pris.
oners.
They had IN impartial trial, and the
verdict was justified by the evidence.
Nevertheless, We cannot forget that the
bloody deed was lone ut a time of great
excitement, when the administration OF
the law and the abuse of the pardoning
power were such as TO encourage crime,
by holding out, to colored criminals in
particular, the expectation of ultimate
escape. Enough of those condemned
will certainly be hanged to vindicate the
outraged majesty Of the law. More than
this Is unnecessary and unwise.
We have entire confidence in the judg.
ment of Governor Hampton; but We
earnestly hope that he will turn a favora.
BILE car to the prayer for mercy, and gran,
tie Communication that is prayed for
NeuS and Courier.