The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1878-04-05
The Revenue Raiders,

The following extract from the presentmcnt
of the grand jury of Pickens County sets forth
the true condition of affairs in that region
While we believe that the ncinrions business
of Illicit disilling of intoxicating liquors is not
carried on in this county to the extent that is
currently reported, satisfied that some
persons on the border of the county are, or have
been recently, engaged in it. We condemn all
illicit distilng not only violativc of the laws
of the land, by dcfrauding the government of
the United States of its chief source Of revenue,
but rs grossly dcmoraliZing in its influence and
an unmiligatcd evil to society. We therefore
present the business of Illicit distilling nui
sancc that all good and law-abiding citizens
should aid in abating.
Pursuant to the instructions of your Honor
we have cnquired into the ouragcs alleged to
have been perpetratcd by the United States rev.
enuc officers and deputy marshals on pcaccable
citizens of the county, who were not chargcablc
with any oiicnse against the laws. We have not
had sufficient simc to prosecute our investigation
of this matter to the extent which its importance
demands; but sufficient facts appear to satisfy
u.s. in addition to those within the knowledge of
many of our members, that these officers have
for several years, committed the grossest out
RACES upon the persons and property of many Of
our law-abiding citizens, on the mere prcteXt
or suspicion, without any legal proof whatever,
that they were in some way connected with the
illicit distilaion or sale of Intoxicating liquors
They have been seized under their own roof or
while ploughing in their fields and, without
any warrant issued for their arrest, have been
manacled and thrown into Jail, where, after re-
manning several days, they have been released,
on the ground that there was no evidence against
them.
These officers have searched private dwell
lings, both by day ana ut night, without any
search warrant and have in several instances.
beaten, kicked, and otherwise maltrcatcd the
victims nf their In WlySS conduct who prot ted
against the wrong thus done them. These Off
GERS are generally Northern men, of the class
known as Carpet Baggcrs," of infamous char
actcr, but have associated with them few of
the lowest and most unprinciplcl persons Of this
community who are of VIGOROUSLY bad rcputc
throughout the county. As our citizens have
heretofore appealed, in VAN, to the courts for
justice against the official wrong. docrs, whose
conduct is rcpugnant alike to law and cviza-
ton they must, if the wrong is not rcmcdicd
asset their rights as men, and as American
citizens, by defending their lives and property
with their own strong arms, against those who
defy law while pretending to be engaged in
ccutug il.
We respectfully request that copy of this
portion of our report shall he transmitted to
the Governor Of our State, for his information,
and that il may also be forwarded to the Prcs-
dent of The United States, and published. in
Justice to the people of our county, the great
majority of whom stand always ready TO render
cheerful obedience to the constitution and the
laws of the United States and To perform every
duty Of good citizenship but, at ihc same time.
demand that their rights. IS fr"rimcn aud NmCri
can citizens. "hr!! be respected iy tie cpnslitu.
a red authorities.