The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-04

desire now to offer the following resoln-
tions, as expressive of the sentiment OF this
meeting, and will ask your Indulgence, "hlle
comment on each paragraph Thereon.
al That we hereby express our sincere ap'
probation Of the course pursued By Governor
TIllman, during the recent riotons and insur,
VS. aSmSe bs M cooness of head
end firmness of hand, whereby we oelleVe
much bloodshed has been prevented ana
widespread lawlessness has teen swiftly
checked"
The first paragraph expresses approval and
appreciation Of the course pursued by Gov
ernor Tillman during recent rlotous ana IN,
surrectionary disturbances in Darlington anu
elsewhere and our admiration OF his coolness
of head and firmness of hand whereby Iur-
ther bloodshed has been prevented.
The newspapers sent 1t out broadcast over
the land and favoraby commented on tne
fact that the so.called soldiers Of Columbia
and Charleston had thrown down their arms
at the first call TO duty. That citizens looted
the armories in Columbia. They had equal
and carry away the product of your labor as
TO enter the States arsenal and carry away
the property of the State; II such copdnct
had happened In Abbeville County, SheriH
Nance would likely have the perpetrators In
-. We condemn the conduct of the military
companies OF Colum bia. Charleston and else
Commander in Chief, as disgraceful to sold
iers, unworthy of good citizens, and az bring
ing shame on the name OF South carolin-
ians."
Gentlemen, leave off the sophistry of the
opposition, and the crime, in all Its htdeous-
ness. is revealed TO all fair minded men, ire
spective of party ahiliation. Old soldiers
who are present know what mean: Inere
is difference between balls, dress suits, brass
buttons, picnic excursions, and the smell OF
burned gunpowder.
There seems to be a difference between pre-,
serving the peace in ones own State. and
fighting the battles OF the United States
against foreign power. For IL is a fact well
known that some OF the military companies
who laid down their arms when called upon
by the State 10 preserve peace therein. had
previously rendered their services TO the
Secretary of War to go to Chill, TO subdue Oh.
streperous Chilians. II Captain In war were
to tell his men 1t was loolishness, and order
his company TO throw down their arms, old
soldiers, what would be thought OF such
Chorus of voices-There would be court
martial. and somebody would be shot as
deserter.
We are not shooting now, but we can only
bring them before the court martial OF public
opinion and brand them as deserters.
You have been taxed for these companies,
and when they donned bright uniforms and
brass buttons, and took your guns upon their
as you have done-to the honor and glory OF
your State. If you had laid down your guns
as they have laid down THEIRS there would
have been no respect for you here; You
would have been called deserters and your
sons would ha> Q been called the sons OF de-
serters.
"3. We commend the conduct of those SOL
diers and private citizens who promptly re-
sponded to the call Of the Governor and thus
enabled him, as Chief Magistrate, TO maln-
tain the law and restore order
Yesterday afternoon when saw the Able
willie Rifles march to the e., e. & N. depot, fol
lowed by men who had worn the gray, was
much affected. Many Of them were willing
and anxious TO 60. Some or them did 60
Notably among tnem was bic% ohe %hO 6aS bne
holes which were made in the Confederate
war. He went with the company to Column
bla to contribute his share Of influence for
peace order and the honor Of the State. This
was no less a parsonage than Genaral r. K.
Hemphill. In like manner the veterans
Captain John E. Bradley Captain John Lyon
nnd Hon John IL. Morrah. went TO Co
held the lost cause in SO many battles, Col. j.
T. Robertson, was at the depot sympathizing
with and lending his encouragement TO law
4. "We take pride in the fact that, while the
militia companies In some other towns and
counties, disobeyed the orders OF the Govern.
or and disbapded, the citizen soldiers Of the
responded to the call OF duty, irrespective of
political affiliations, and went to the 'front.'"
1t will be, and 1t should be way yonder in
How long Will it be before those who went to
the rear will be forgotten?
Voice-Never.
have always heard that 1t was the greatest
dishonor for soldier TO 60 10 the rear in time
| of danger, when duty called him to the front.
Now, let me say, am not asking you to
point out men who refused to DO their duty.
AT this moment Nv we ,I are not Looking for thst st
| soldiers of Abbeville but the soldiers Of every
part OF the State who obeyed the orders OF
! their commander-in-chief In this emergency.
1 nl<F.t tfDS, Nf hn t,>t, n
whole.
RESOLUTIONS.
Resolved, by the Reformers of Abbevllls
county, in mass meeting assembled:
/. That we hereby express our sincere ap-
probation OF the course pursued by Governor
Tillman. during the recent riotous and insur-
| rectionary disturbances in Darlington and
elsewhere. We admire his GOODNESS Of head
much bloodshed has been prevented and
widespread lawlessness has been swiftly
checked.
2. Wecondemn the conduct of the military
companies OF Columbia, Charleston and else
where that refused to obey the orders of their
commander in chief, as disgraceful to sold
iers, unworthy OF good citizens, and as bring
ing shame on the name OF South CarolIn-
ians.
3. We commend the conduct Of those sold.
iers and private citizens who promptly re-
sponded to the call OF the Governor and thus
| tain the law and restore order.
| 4, We take pride In the fact that, while the
militia companies In some other towns and
counties, disobeyed the orders of the Govern.
towns Of Abbevlle and Green wood, readily
responded TO the call of duty, Irrespective OF
political affiliation, and went to the front.
Speech OF Hon. r. e. Hill.
| Hon. r. E. Hill was called for. He said:
| Mr.. Chairman.-I was not present when the
meeting was organized, but gather from the
preceded me, that the object of the meeting
| is to give expression of our approval Of the
course Of Governor Tillman In the matter OF
the riotous conduct which has recently oc-
CURED In Darlington, Columbia and else
where In the State. This being the case de-
| sire TO put myself on record as one who
heartily approves Of the course OF Governor
Tlllman in mobilizlng the troops In Colum-
bia. The moral effect of this large body OF
| soldiers and citizens who have responded to
the call Of the Governor in his effort to sus-
wholesome. It will teach those who have
been engaged In overriding law and order
that there are still left In South Carolina a
| host of law-abiding citizens, irrespective OF
respond to the call Of the Chief Executive OF
the State in an emergency of this kind.
When the military companies OF Columbia,
Charleston and elsewhere refused TO obey the
OTuCTo VI 1ONtTuOT 1llludu lu0 SuemlSS Oh
law and order rejoiced In the belief that Till
man was powerless and would not be sustain
ed In his course by the people; and some OF
them went SO far as to proclaim that Til Imam
ism was at an end In South Carolina; but a
| little later on when the thousands of loyal
citizens and soldiers began to pour into Col
| umbia in obedience to the call Of the Cover
nor, they doubtless concluded that they had
reck oned without their host.
am glad to know that the members of the
military companies OF this place and Green
wood, with few exceptions, without regard