Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1881-08-04
eTo Fight the Moonshiaers.

d %
On hearing Of the killing Of Mr.. Brayton,
Commissioners Raum, under date of July 22d.
1881. Issued a circular letter to Collector q.
NJ. Brayton, of Columbia, which tho Ne,o
South publishes under the above caption. In
that letter he says: "You are authorized to
employ eight special deputies for the purpose
OF thoroughly policing counties where Illicit
distilling has heretofore prevailed, four Of
them to operate from Piokens Court House or
Walhalla and the other four from Greenyille
or Spartanbnrg. as you think best. You will
pleaso forward estimates for tho salaries and
travelling expenses Of these officers for elk
months from August lst. desire that you
shall select men Of good standing, of good
hablts and Of unquestionable courage aud
discretion for the performance Of this SER
vice"
While we have no objection to this order,
If carried out properly by men of good hab-
Its and discretion, still the order does O wrong
to our people in its implication that they arc
resisting or disposed to resist officers Of the
law. IL there single Illicit dstillery 10 our
county? If 80. has any effort been made to
arrest the party? We have heard Of mono
and for fifteen years no blood has been
spilled in Oconee 10 the enforcement of tho
revenue laws. Thore is q general good feel.
ing 90 the part of tho officers and our people
and to large extent our citizens arc ready
to aid in euppressing any illegal making or
traffic in liquor. For this reason violations
ofthe liquor law aro rare among u.s. Is it likely
on armed patrol parading our county will
produce better feeling than the one that
exists, Is it not possible. if not probable,
that some unfortunate not of this armed pa-
troll, or Of an indiscreet member Of it. might
create confusion where order exists? Wo
trust in the revenue officers here who know
our citizens, to prevent this and quietly co-op-
crate with our people in The suppression of
oil liquor violations. This paper and tho
largo bulk of our people desire to SEQ the
Illicit liquor traffic utterly suppressed and
have ueed evory moral force to this end. So
far the revenue force have generally coop
Grated and we have had and ore likely to have
no trouble, unless it be stirred up unneces-
sariIy.
In this connection we might we'll ask why
docs not similar stato of things exist in
Pickens? 1t was once connected with this
county rs ono district. It is setsled by peo.
pie of like passions and associations and the
two people arc connected by ties Of affinity
and consanguinity. Is tho opposition to the
revenue force there due to the people or to
the ofiiccrsf Have the laws been enforced
there with tho same spirit of kindness and
as here? We are Obliged to think
not. The people thero must have been
wronged or oppressed to rouse up such oppo.
stion. We have 80 heard often and the
Scntiacl. which We know to DO temp perauce
paper, rccounts the wrongs of the people in
o brief article. Alexander short time back
was shot while fleeing, and this was unlaw-
full. The law does not authorize any officer
to take life to prevent on escape except when
tho party fleeing is charged with felony.
Violations of the revenue laws arc misde-
meAnors and the party may escape if he can
without taking life or having his life taken.
Should party shoot and miss and then neo
he ought not to be shot while in fight. We
think tho first step of tho revenue force is by
fair dealing to win the confidence and good
will of tho roople. They will then find their
duties easy and pleasant and to the law they
will add the moral forco of public opinion.
This can bo done by enforcing the law in
spirit of kindness aud moderation. Such
course years ago or even now would soon put
down illicit distillng in Pckons and place
the county at peace. This need not interfere
with tho arrest and punishment of past acts
of vio1ancc mud murdor but sp onld oplu nro
vent future acts. We know the people of
Pickens to be naturally praceable and law
abiding. Acts in tho nature of revenge or
retaliation will only add fuel to the flame.