The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1885-09-23
THE FAIRFIELD REGULATORS.
The Grand Jurors of Fairfield Sol
emily Swear that They Know
Nothing About the Regulators or
their Acts, Except from Nepspa-
per Reports and the Judges
CHARGE.

ave have gravely considered the remarks Of his
Honor, the presiding Judge, in his opening charge
touching the alleged violation Of the law by bands Of
E. s,1s, styling Esv ,hsr, ,Sa ss o; or ,.r made BY by t% H.h nI,
siding Judge, and the accounts which have been pub.
lished In the newspapers, we have no information up.
on this subject. II seems to be the general belief
that these Regulators have gone quite beyond the
pale of the law, and this surely must be cause Of pro.
found regret not to say the deepest concern, to all
law.abiding ard 0rder-lcving peopl.. We're we in
possession OF the facts necessary as the foundation Of
any Trtscntu.ent. had We any information which We
could shape into u suggestion, we should not hesitate
to bring the matter to the immediate attention Of the
Court. But these Facts and this information arc alike
wanting in the present instance. Much MS VIC regret
our inability to set In motion the machinery II the
law, for the punishment and suppression" Of the acts
to which your Honor has alluded, We are sralitlcd TO
know that all tho ordinary agencies of the law, Tor
the correction Of any evil are hero In easy reach OF
every citizen, nom the highest to the lowest. The
whatever rank, Is alike ultain'ed by corruption and
unimpcdpd by personal considerations. We doubt
not that upon complaint made by the alleged victims
CT the unlawful acts of the sn-cnllcd Regulators any
and all Of our magistrates will promptly issue the
warrant proper upon the information given under
oath. That warrant In the hands of the proper officer
| would hud prompt and easy execution.
while, MS we have said. We dell:re and condemn
the resort to any means other than lawful means for
the correction Of any evil, however great we are yet
glad to able to congratulate the people OF the county
upon the assurance they NAV feel that tho law Is yet
unattended with delay or With d fficulty.
"YoIr Honor having, In that pOi ton Of your charge
touching the conduct Of the 90 called Regulations nl-
luded to the alleged causes Of their unlawful pro.
ceedings, we may be permitted To add q word upon
this head. II 1t Is true, rs has been stated In the
public prints, that tniecesenatlon Is the evil that
has thus tempted the citizen to take the law In his
own hand, We aie confronted with o condition Of
things scarcely less drplorable than the means o.
legged to have been employed by these Regulators
II, rs has been stated, Of the vict,ms Of these alleged
o~utragcs are white men who have been living In adul.
terry with negro women, In this fact We may find q
sufficient cause though II Is no excuse, for the law.
lessness in Qucstl0n. Iu that cnuse VIC are confronted
with an evil that 10 at once an insult to our civiliza-
ton and 4 standing menace to our social order. While
condclnuing a resort 10 unlawful means to rid society
OF those who thus do violence to every consideration
Of duty and deccncy, 1t is nevertheless our desire tn
urge un enforcement Of the law rs will accomplish
what 1t Is said these Regulators . seek to bring about.
Let the law against adultery be so amended, II prac.
ticable, as to remove the difficulties now attending
the proof Of the act Of adultery. Let the facts neces.
sary to constitute the crime be made easier Ia be nd
duced in the Courthouse. Lot some official be spec
tally charged with the deterti0n ind reporting or Of.
rcnders of this class. Above oil. let there he that con.
ditiOn Of public sentiment which shall render the
commission Of such offences the sure means OF for
friting srcial recognition as well ns the privileges Of
good citizenship. In such u state Of feeling We doubt
not the evils complained Of would speedily disappear
without the lawlcss Intervention Of the so-callet
Regulators"