The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-05-04
INDIGNATION MEETING.
GOVERNOR TILLMAN AND LYNCH
LAW DENOUNCEt.

Ex-Governor Richardson, Solicitor j err
vey and Otherg-Wbat Governor Till
man Says AboutI 1t
COLUMBIA, S. c., April 2G.-The cit
izens of Columbia were very INDIGNANT
yesterday morning when they learned
that Peterson had been hanged at Den
mark the night before. The dispatch
es of the afternoon indicated that the
negro was not guilty, although there
were later indications that he would be
lynched any way.
;. MOST OF the indignation seemed to be
directed at Governor Tilman, however.
\ because he had allowed the negro to
90 taken to Denmark to be
Tried by mob. The Governor
was very severely criticised on
account of his action. The result
was that some of the more violent
started out petition for mass meet
ing last night TO denOunce the Cover
nors. action. The petition circulated
read as follows:
Inc citizens of Columbia are invit-
eu 10 attend mass meeting at the
Court House at 8 o'clock tonight, to
express their indignant protest against
the conduct of the Governor of the
state IN surrendering to irresponsible
parties citizen who had sought his
protection, and thereby becoming q
party TO the murder of one by an in
furiated mob"
The colOred citizens are also verv
much excited over the situation. and
they will hold a mass meeting tonight
10 take some action ABOUT the lynch !.
ing. Some will, no doubt, be willing
10 get very violent, but the leaders pro,
pose to discuss and act in a temperate
Way fpossible.
Governor Tillman yesterday talked
very freely about his action. He said
that he felt that the people of Barn
well had violated his confidence when
they hung a negro whom he had in
trusted to their care fully believing
Cna9 they would treat him right. He
sald that his enemies were irving to
lay all the blame on him, but as far as
he was concerned he was willing TO
stand up to any action he took.
lie had told Peterson lf he was gull
ty that he would protect him at all
hazards, but the negro insisted that
he was innocent, and stated that he
was Willing to 60 back and face his
accusers and confront the girl. The
crowd had already had teflre them
over fifteen men for Identification, one
OF whom the girl had almost positively
Identified. 1t was natural to suppose
that he would be jumped upon and
torn to pieces, but the mob waited for
evidence which showed the man inno-
cent. The Governor says that he sup
posed by his circumstance that they
were cool and collected and did not in
tend to do any violence. lie did not
feel called upon believing these things
that 1t was necessary to give Peterson
any special protecteon
The people had grown desperate and
even frenZied at the repeated delays
in Identification which was natural un-
der the circumstances. They intended
to Kill some man, and the least evi.
deIee was sufficient to make them act.
Ihat of course does not justify them
IN hanging an innocent man The
Governor said that he had received no
lntimation Of a lynching or he would
have tried to prevent it.
The mass meeting which was called
last night at the Court House was
largely attended, there being at least
800 people present, among whom were
at least 100 negroes. The latter occu-
pied nearly one-half the room
The meeting was called to order by
Col: John G. Haskell. who suggested
that Capt. II. S. Desportes take the
chair. Captain Desportes in assuming
the chair said that the Object of the
meeting would be explained by gen
tleman who would speak later, but all
knew its object. All know the outrage
against the peace and dignity of the
State that has been recently commit
ted. We are here to express our indig-
nation and to express our sympathy
for people who have been our wards
for 200 years, and who are still with
us, and liable to be for years to come
We ought to spread around them the
:egls OF our protection. In protecting
them we have moi succeeded well in
the past, but let us hope we will be
more successful in the future.
Colonel Haskell then nominated MIR.
j.. w. Muller for Secretary, and he was
elected. Colonel Haskell addressing
the Chair, then said the meeting had
been called that the people of the com
munity might express their sense on
the conduct of the Chief Executive in
encouraging lynch law, to express it,
self on the gross outrage that had been
committed in hanging a man not prov
en- guilty, and of the Governors send
Ing him chained and defenseless into
the hands Of an infuriated mob.
Such an act, he sald was unparelIeI-
ed In the history Of civilization. lie
suggested that committee of five he
appointed to draft resolutions. This
was adopted, and Colonel Haskell, r.
w. Shand. w. II. Martin, w. G. Swaf.
field and ID. II. Flenniken were appoint
ed.
Colonel Haskell submitted set of
resolutions to the committee which
were adopted. They were ntroduced
by Colonel Haskell, and reao IS fol-
lows:
We, the citizens of Columbia. in
mass meeting assembled, do adopt the
following resolutions:
Resolved, That in the lynching of
John PETERSON at Denmark not only
has the peace and dignity of the
state" been offended, but human life
mas been taken without even satisfac-
tory evidence of his guilt. We there
lore denounce the act as meriting the
unmeasured u,oi condemnation of all good
Resolved, That the said John Peter
son having surrendered himself to the
Governor of the State, pleading for for
protection, was entitled to have tbe
of - nrf NE M