The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1893-05-15
NAY REAP THE WHIRLWIND
Lynching of an Innocent Black Likely
TO Worry South Carolina Democrats.
COlored Men and Law and Order Whites Nav
Unite and IIurl the Negro Numbering
Party from Power in the State.

WASHINGTON, May 14.-The following
letter, from q gentleman at Columbus, 5. c.,
vonched for as q dispassionate and dis
interested observer. has been resolved here,
depicting the existing condition of pub
lie feeling in South Carolina. He states
that for obvious reasons the actual con-
dition of affairs Is not disclosed In the press
dispatches.
Although at first glance the popular ex-
citement aroused by the lynching of the
negro Peterson at Denmark, in this State,
appears TO have subsidized. to the skilled Oh
server of public affairs IL is plainly evident
that below the surface there are strong cur
rents Of bitter feeling at work that will
not come % rest until they have wrought
marked changes in the very substratum of
politics in South Carolina and ny mpathetic
action in the whole of the black
belt south; There is = feeling of
ever a group of negroes are to he seen
together. the chance are that they are
talking about the Denmark outrage and
al ominous sign is that they do not talk
with the white people about il. for here
tofore they have been free to complain to
that element IN the community when they
felt that they have cause.
There Is q division Of feeling among the
whites. but IL Is not an even DIVISION. In
iuentlal newspapers In the State have.
with practical u~Banimity, condemned the
lynching. But. Notwithstanding the utter
ances by the newspapers. there Is reason TO
believe they do not represent the feelings
OF their readers. A large element, accept
Ing the testimony of the girl who was the
victim of the outrage to the effect
that Peterson was innocent, believe that
an xafnp was necessary TO preserve the
ssnctity OF the white families. Another
element insist that Peterson was guilty of
u crime which no southern gentlemen
would hesitate to punish by lynch law.
Pitted against these is an element of
whites who contend for equal rights and
Justice to all.
Although the feeling is bitter it is not TO
be understood that there is imminent dan
ger OF q war of races. The negroes are
acting with prudence. and are discussing
the affair calmly but earnestly. They have
abandoned hope OF outside interference.
aud are becoming self-relisnt. Among
other projects they are discussing emigra-
ton. But faith In this is confined to @
comparatively small proportion of the ne
groes. and that is largely made up of the
lowest element among them. Very many
have become possessed OF small holdings
OF land. and Others earn good wages as
carpenters and artisans of various classes.
They have local attachments and interests
that they cannot disregard. and as they in-
ciude in their ranks the intelligence OF the
negroes. they are able TO influence the en-
tire mass. For the same reasons they adj
vlse against violence. which would precip-
itbto y IhCo war resulting diuOot III cxter.
mInation. But they do mean TO use their
power and resources of brain, and brawn,
and sinew IN politics on q scale that they
a never before attempted. and that Is
what the negroes are discussing just now.
Hereafter national issues are TO be moth
ing TO them. If the views of their leaders
prevail. for they are looking after their
own protection. The Alliance doctrine
and the new liquor d~ispenssry law have
caused sohisms amongst yhe whites. and
the neQrOea care little or nothing for any
of these issues. They are free TO vote with
any Observation-Disclosures. Alliance OF com-
promise-thst will DC the best for them.
so the political future of the State Is trou-
element among the negroes obtains con-
troll. and If il does not then the very social
structure is in danger. for the Denmark
Iyncning will not down."