Vicksburg weekly herald. (Vicksburg, Miss.) 1868-1883, 1877-12-28


Tug work of organizing VigilancC
Committees in Amite county to keeE
down the "BuH. dO.ers" goes bravely
on. The following sounds like
business"
At o large and enthusiastic meeting o
the citizens OF the Fourth District o.
Amite county, the following proceedings
ReanIvad. Wharnas. 81 ias. Esd o,ds.
have been set Hside, and mob law Of the
Yilest nature substituted, aud lives and
property Of many citizens Of this District
Of Amite county, 10 the State Of Mlssis.
sippi endangered, We have determined to
organize ourselves together for the sup
preston OF lawlessness, by appointing the
following ~well.knoWn and highly respected
citizens officers TO organize and arm the
company. viz:
Ephm. Flowers, Captain, and DR.. W, J,
Lamkin and VIM. Brown, L~ieutenants.
The resolutions following were also
unanimously adopted:
Let. Whereas, There have been laWless
acts perpetrated 10 u community, thai
are beyond The reach Of civil law, we pro.
pose ~ light the devil with his own weap
onB, by taking the execution Of the Law
AuNN Jul " AAAhug ugHahhAnh VI III per
petratofs OF lawless acts TO disband ai
once.
2. We propose, under tue insuficlency
OF the civil law and the absence OF mill
tary power, to become q law for our owl
protection, and will punish all lawless,
ness, irrespective Of color, age or stand
Ing, as the circumstances may demand
determining that there shall be no dis,
t~inctlon made oil color, race or standing
and that every citizen must and shall 81
protected In his Individual rights, as SO
cured TO him by law and the Constitution
OF the State.
3. That each and every personal mem,
Der OF the organization will aid the Vlgi
lance Committee, this day appointed BY
this meeting, whenever required, and vii
hold themselves in readiness 10 obey al
orders OF their officers, at the peril OF liiC
or property
4. Resolved, that we claim the right tC
punish perjured traitors 10 this ~organiza
ton with death, every mans lie and nc
ton being scrupulously watched, and al
lutTudeEs after detection, that have de
signedly gained admission to this Ordel
for the purpose OF ~betraying Its objects
and action, shall be treated as spice II
time OF war.
5. We furthermore agree to obey all
awful orders Issued by the commander
OF the order, at all hours day or night anC
under all circumstances, when possible L
do so.
.. We will render all assistance to law
tul authorities when needed, for the arres
and conviction Of these desperadoes, whit
have driven US to seek protection from
ta"iT midnight acts, by thus OrtaniZ n.
inut law and 4, : ice, With peace u Orde
may prevail, wuiCh we are determined
shat be re-esta6l shed. even IL u cessary
with tue sacrifice OF our property, blood o
lives.
:. That we hold all suspected persons
equally with their leaders, responsible
with their lives AID property, for ever!
form OF la~wlessue5s, such as killing, burn
ing, whipping, ordering Oh OF plantations
Illuminating, or otherwise des roying thl
material interests and civil rights Of an,
person, OF any color, age, sex or condition
We do this as q guarantee Of full pr0tec
lion TO all citizens, their families an
property.
$. That il il the determination OF this or
ganiZatlOn to put down these Outrages ant
Iawlessness, and ut all hazards, cost VIVA
II may In life or property, law and orde
must and shall be re-established, and W
solicit the hearty cooperation aud assist
ance 81 every Z oil citizen, white or color
ed, In this WORK al absolute necessity.
=. That every man 10 u community bl
approached, and his sentiments obtained
as 10 his fidelity 10, aud support Of thu
laws that are to govern and protect us al
citizens Of a common country, and II he b
found unsOund In his fealty 10 the same
and not to be reclaimed, he shall be deal
with as the circumstances OF the case de
maud.
10. That 1t is the sentiment u this as