The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1889-07-24
Wednesday, July "a, 1889.
Jobn YeIdeII I'm Pittsburg.

vote muoh space to the affair, and in deScrlh-
ing the incidents connected with the arrest.
II seems that the sympathies of the people
of that city are greatly aroused in behalf OF
the prisoner.
The following brief paragraphs from the
Pitisburg Times, taken out great mass OF
papers, will, we presume, give at least an idea
OF the situation:
"J. d. Haskins, Chairman of the committee
of "a on the Flennon case, yesterday said the
body which he represented would have 81 ,UV
to-day II necessary to assist the defenaant'
Early yesterday morning he telegrapoean a. on y
ing firms OF Charleston. S. C, to undertake G
the defence Of Flemon should he come TO
trial in that State, and an af1rmatlve answer
was received last night. Mr.. Haskins said II
would not be polite to give the name Of the
firm. as should its service not be required, 1t
would be subjected TO boycott, II not worse.
Three members Of the committee VIII go 10
Charleston to make the final arrangements
Subscription lists were circulated through
out the city to raise money for the defense OF
Yeldell, in case he was broug at back to South
Carolina for trial.
In its own behalf the Pittsburg Times pub
lished the following card last Saturday morn
ing:
"The Pinsb,sro Times will guarantee, in &C.
cordance with the foregoing, the expenses OF
carrying the E. F. Flemon case to and through
the Supreme Court OF pennsylvania Ihose
who desire to share in giving q black man a
white mans chance TOR his life are welcome,
though not absolutely necessary.
THE PITTsBURG TIMES,
WI. SELF, Treasurer
"At the end of the address Mr.. Dalzell said
the story was a decidedly startling one and
put very different phase on the matter He
thought Sufficient blood had been shed to
atone for that one life If Flemon's counsel
would reduce the statement 10 Wrllng ne ne
Cameron, lay the petition before the PRESIDENT
and Attorney General, asking that the pro
per steps be taken by the Department OF JUS
tice to secure change OF venue and SUI
@The Rev. Mr.. Holiday said the trouble
was not in getting able and honest lawyers
and Judges in South Carolina, but the pubic
sentiment Of white men Influenced Juries
where colored man was on trial so much
that the negro had no fair chance.
"Mr. McKenna said last night that letters
and dispatches were coming In from all over
the country expressing sympathy and offer
ing assistance, II necessary, in procuring
Flemon fair trial"
We have nothing at all to say of the merits
OF the case which will be brought into court.
I We know absolutely nothing as to Rev. E. f.
Flemon's or John Yeldelps guilt or Innocence
of the crime whereof he stands charged.
But what we wish to remark upon Is the mis-
apprehension under which MIR. J. D. Haskins
is laboring. He Is chairman Of committee
OF thirteen" TO look to Yeldells interest.
Among other things, in speaking of Flemon's
defense, he makes use Of these words:
1T would not be polite to give the name Of
"the [lawl firm, as, should Its services not be
required, 1t would be subject to boycott, II
not worse"
Mr. C. Benet Of our Bar. defended two Of
Flemon's associates, and they were acquitted.
II is reported that Mr.. Benet will defend
Flemon or Yeldeil, when he comes back.
Mr. Benet has not been boycotted, and will
not be boycolted. he has not been intimid-
sted In defending negroes, and he will not be
intimidated in his professional duties. The
very weakness OF these poor, ignorant and
penniless creatures in defending themselves
against the great State OF South Carolina, not
only awakens his deepest symthies, but calls
for the exercise Of the great powers OF a fear
less and Independent lawyer, who will do his
whole duty, under all circumstances. There
is not q lawyer in all of Pennsylvania who
would, or could, more zealously or more ably
defend Rev. E. F. Flemon or John Yeldell
than Will Mr.. Benet.
II Mr.. Haskips has any doubt as to who Mr..
Benet Is, we would tell him, that he is
SEQ lehman by birth, who came to Abbeville
twenty years ago. Several years ago he mar
ried member Of one OF the oldest and most
influential families in South Carolina. His
education and literary training are equal to
anybody's.
We can best tell in what esteem he is held
by our people, in saying that he was DEM
ocratic Presidential Elector for this State
In 1884. and that last year in his first race
for the Legislature, he received the largest
vote which has ever been given in this coun-
ty to any man. This, too, with the full
knowledge that he had perhaps saved more
negroes from the gallows than any other law
yer in the State.
Are not these facts enough to satisfy Pitts
burg that Rev. E. F. Flemons will be not only
ably and fearlessly defended, but that there Is
here no disposition on the part Of the people
to boycott a gentleman for defending poor
friendless negro?
If 1t were necessary to say more as to
Mr.. Benet's standing with the people Of
South Carolina, and II 1t were necessary to
defend the people OF this Commonwealth
from the charge of disposition to boycott
lawyer for defending negro. or negrose, it
would be only necessary to say that last
year the State of South Carolina, from the
mountains to the sea. was agitated on the sub.
ject OF establishing AMI agricultural college.
Although It was Mr.. Benet's first term in the
Legislature, he was chosen, as If by common
consent, TO champion the cause of the far
at.1t- la-a e..
victor. Is there anything in either cir
cumstance to point to boycott Of Mr.. Ben
ct?
Now. we admire the noble spirit which Mr..
Haskins and bis associates have manifested
in this matter. 1t is brave and manly to
espouse the cause of the weak; nor is this
magnanimity monopolized by Pittsburg or
Pennsylvania. 1t is a fact that when Flem-
ons Tor Yeldelps) associates were tried, Mr..
Benet was employed 10 defend them, and his
feepaid, not by the negroes, nor by the Repub-
ncans, but by two Democratic glen tlemcn OF
Edgeheld County, who were actuated by the
same generous spirit that moves the people
OF Pittsburg, and with no more hope OF re-
compense than have the COMMITTEE OF
Thirteen"
If they would come to South Carolinr, they
would soon be convinced that the negro gets
absolute justice in this State.
We believe that in our court, while men are
too often acquitted of crimes for which they
should be severely punished, but we as firmly
believe that negroes accused of crime are not
unJustly convicted ip our courts.
Blowing the Town.