Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1890-01-16
,fl,e hue and cry made b

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committed outrages against our
people, to the effect that they are
attempting insurrcction against the
whites of such communities. is an
additional outrage upon us, and SO
intended by those who make them.
The unprecedented forbearance of
our people during the four years.
civil war, when they had TO reason
to fear resistance on the part of
the white men, is standing monu-
ment to their glory ana an everlast-
ing contradiction to the charge that
the race is insurrectionary or aims at
conspiracy against the white race
even under the most aggravated
circumstances. This denial is not
Intended to convince those who
stand convinced Of these slandcrs
against us, for we are sure they are
concious of tho wrong they do us
and the gravity of the evil thereof.
4. We interpret the recent in
stance of violence upon our people
in this State as indicating the SUI
prcmacy of the mob element of the
Commonwealth over the law abiding
class. The indcscribablc and inhu-
man butchcry of eight men of our
race, taken from the prison cells of
Barnwcll County, in the presence of
the agents of the law, is an unprc-
ccdcntcd instance Of barbarity, un-
becoming civilized community.
Therefore, we deem it proper for
our people to abandon such sections
Of the State wherein lawlcssncss
prevails and life is unsafe and 90 to
sections where life and property are
safe.
We offer this us information to
the friends of humanity and justice,
North and South, and appeal to the
Chief Executive and all officers Of
the State, and to all citizens, regard
less of race or color, to unite in one
common effort in upholding the
majesty of the law and the fair name
of South Carolina.
RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
Whereas in the County of Barn
well eight innocent and defcnsclcss
members of our race, being in the
custody Of the State Of South Caro-
lima, werc from said custody unlaw.
fully taken and unlawfully shot to
death by mob of masked men at
midnight; and whereas some Of the
men thus shot were held as witnesses,
and were not connected or charged
with any ottcnsc; therefore, he it
Resolce0, That the taking of hui
man life under any circumstances
other than the satisfaction Of the
demands of the law and the vindica-
ton of the honor and integrity of
the State, is odious to all Just and up
right men, and should meet their
universal condcmnation, which al
ways cmanatcs from the bosoms of
all true, patriotic citizens.
Rcso/rc0, That the taking of hui
man life is not right and iustifiablc,
only When done for the preservation
Of human life and the sanctity of
home. We respectfully advise The
members of our race to remain quiet
and allow the proper authorities to
vindicalc the law. We do not wish
to add fuel to the flames of the al
ready dcvouring fire, but to use such
pacific measures as will commend
themselves to the favorable consid-
Grafton of all thoughtful men.
Reso/rcl, That the fair name Of
South Carolina has been bcsmirchcd
and Nlisgraccd and today thrown
from its cmincncc among the galaxy
Of States by the midnight maraudcrs
in their hcllish work of taking hu-
man live, regardless of law and social
influence; and that from the moutains
to the scaboard all true Carolinians
should join with the proper authori-
ties TO ferret ont and bring to Justice
these law breakers and redeem the
fair name OF South Carolina.
Resolcc1, That committee of
nine be appointed, of which the
chairman of this conference shall be
er oWcio chairman, to wait upon His
Exccllcncy, Governor Richardson,
and place our grievances, assuring
him of our fidelity to the State, and
ask that such power given him under
the Constitution and laws Of this
State as Chief Executive be used to
its full extent to have the pcrpctra-
tors Of this foul, barbarous and
atrocious crime apprchcndcd and
brought to justice.
W. W. Russell as a Champion