The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1893-05-04
THE FORCE OF EXAMPLE.
A BIG MASS MEETING OF COLORED
PEOPLE.

PEOPLE.
| Seme of the Speakers Gave Worry Bold,
Bad Advice-The More Cons OF vative
Speakers Hooted Down-A Political
Combination Advised.
COLUMBIA, S. c., April PA great
many people yesterday morning real
lied that the mass meeting Tuesday
night was a mistake, that it could pos
slbly accomplish no good, but would do
much harm. AS one of the results of
that meeting there was an immense as.
senblaRe of colored people in the
Court House. 1t was so packed that it
was like an oven, and though all the
windows and VentilatOrS were open the
supply OF oxygen was very limited,
and to have stayed much longer some
people surely would have succumbed.
The resolutions are couched in terms
| very strong IN denunciation of what is
termed "barbarous mobs," and the Gov
ernor comes in for bitter denuciation,
couched very much in similar terms
applied to him by white men. The
negroes are considerably inllamed al
ready, and to add fuel to their anger
may not result in trouble just yet, but
| the seeds have been SOwn and trouble
may result yet. While the speeches
were, on the whole, somewhat mild,
still certain phrases in them calling
upon negroes to rise up and assert
their manhood, as patience had ceased
to be virtue, brought forth the wild
est, the loudest and intenSest cheering
heard for many day.
The meeting was organized by the
election nf Row II Wilonn nbo
man. He counseled moderation and
order and stated that no one should be
denounced, but omly infractions Of the
laws of the State and country should
be condemned. Rev. j. IL. Johnson
was elected secretary. a committee
on resolutions was appointed, which
consisted of Rev. j. II. j Johnson, Prof.
Usher, Rev. w. ID. Chappelle, +. &. G..
Washington, G. T.. Holmes.
While the committee was deliberat-
ing Mail Carrier Williams suggested
that speakers be limited to ten min
utes. Prof. Morris did better and sug-
| gested live. That was carried.
The committee came in and reported
the following resolutions:
We, as citizens of the State Of South
| Carolina, III mass meeting assembled,
feeling just Indignation at the action
OF Governor Tillman in surrendering
to brutal and infunated mob John
Jefferson, who had ilsd to him as the
Chiet Executive of the State for pro
lection until he could establish his in
nocence of the crime OF which he was
suspected, and for which his life was
sought, do adopt the following resolu-
tlOnS:
ReSolved, That in the lynchiug of
John Peterson at Denmark on the
night of the 24th instant the white
citizens of BarnweJl County, as in the
recent numbering OF eight helpless and
unoifending men in that county, have
again declared their disregard for law
and order, decency and justice by that
brutal and barbarouS numbering Of a
man, manacled and helpless. and
whom the victim of the outrage her
self declared innocent.
2. That the action Of Governor Till
man in surrendering John Peterson is
unWarranted, unprecedented and IN
human, knowing. rs he certainly does,
| the passion preiudices and inhumanity
| OF such infuriated mob, actualed by "A
diseased sentiment, and that it de.
serves our strongest and severest con-
| demnation.
3. That in the frequent lvnchings of
negroes by Darbarous mobs throughout
the State without proof of their guilt
and the refusal of the officers Of the
law to bring a single lyncher to Just
ice, although the men be known to
them, show official collusion aud sane
ton; and together with the action of
the Governor in delivering J ohm Peter
son to the mob, thereby giving official
recognition and sanction and legaliz-
ing the court of Judge Lynch we are
warned that we need look for no pro-
lection whether guilty or not guilty,
| fhn lnx Of {,>k>
none to the negro.
| 4. That we condemn lynching,
| whether the individual be guilty or
not, as barbarism Of the most pro-
nounced type, but we favor a speedy
trial by a process of law.
5. That the lynchers of John Peter
son are murderers; and that if the
GOyernor does not endorse lynching he
Will have the ]ynchers Immediately ar
rested.
&. That we duly appreciate all sim
| cere expressions by the better class of
our white citizens in the condemnation
Of such cowardly acts, and appeal to
them to use their influence in creating
such sentiment against lynch law
that 1t will soon he relegated to the
realms of barbarism to which it be-
| longs.
| Resolved. That we condemn the out
RACES alleged to be committed by our
people and call upon them everywhere
to lend their influence in Kidding us of
such lnfamOu9 charges.
When the resolutions had been read
Rev. Nj. q. johnson said that he Op-
posed the articles in denunciatiOn of
the Governor. 1t could accomplish
much harm and do no good. lie finish
ed cut his speech, but the whole crowd
was restless and murmurs of discon-
tent could be heard on all sides.
Rev. &. u. Nelson said that the meet
ing should not denOunce the Governor.
Negroes were a part Of the govern
ment, ard though they had no part
much in it they should respect its laws
and officers. !Ic understood that Peter
son had said he wanted to get back to
Denmark. lie hadn't got farther than
that when the crowd began to hOot him
down, and some yelled Put 'em out"
"Send 'em to Denmark" Nelson could
not fill out his five minutes, and as he