The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-11-28
Wednesday, Nov. %, 1894.
sketchIng Reproachful History.

The Yorkville Yeoman is publishing ku
have seen, the historian is as silent as the
grave, as to the cause of the trouble which
came TO the good people of that county.
Except to crafty spite, it seems that the old
troubles had better be forgotten.
As means of working in reflection on peo-
pie who did not sympathize with the ku klux
outrages. 1t seems that the facts are barred by
statute Of limitations
A future correct life atones for actual faults,
and 1t would appear that such q course would
satisfy every thing, except meau malice.
The semblance Of title to land, if kept In
peaceful possession for ten years, gives good
title.
Character Is sacred, and he who wantonly
assails it is q vandal, with pure and unadul
terated wickedness in his heart.
( A judgment Of the court on money de-
mand, that Is not renewed, is out of date in
seven years.
A mortgage Of real estate is out Of date in
twenty years.
It therefore seems ghoulish to dig up. and
publish old things that are forgotten by com.
mon decency, or barred by the statute OF linn
itations.
Aswe understand the trend Of the two or
, three sketches of the ku klux raids. that we
have read, 1t is to bring censure to law-abid-
ing citizens who did not Join, or give their
countenance to, raiding parties, that went
masked to peoples houses in the night time,
and committed murder. arson, or inflicted
bodily pain on such persons as may have in
CURED their displeasure because Of political
faith.
AS we understand the facts, Merrill and his
men were sent 70 York county by the United
States government to enforce the observance
OF the laws of the country, and to protect
humble citizens from violence at the hands oil
mobs who sent terror to citizens by their mid
night raids.
OF course, people who committed outrages
on defenseless people, in kuklux times, had a
very poor opinion of people who discounte-
panced their outrages and believed In abid-
ing by the laws Of the country. No doubt
they had equal contempt for people who
thought that humble and dsfenseless citizens
should be protected in their homes.
Abbeville county in the kuklux times, even
as she does now In obeying the dispensary
law, refused to enter an organization which
had for its purpose resistance to law and the
fomenting Of strife.
To the wise counsels of such men as Judge
MCGOWAN, Judge Cothran, Mr.. Burt. and Col
onel Perrin we were indebted for the exemp.
ton Of Abbeville county from the disgraceful
scenes that followed the organization Of the
kuklux klans in other counties.
Helpless and defenceless people were moi
raided at midnight, beaten or killed for pollt-
ical reasons. and their property was not de-
stroyed.
The best people Of Abbeville county were
not compelled to 60 into Court under felo-
NOUS charges, nor did they become exiles
from the land Of their birth, on the approach
OF the military.
Their hands were clean. and they had no
dread Of Merrill and his men.
4 Under all circumstances Abbeville stands
in the forefront.
She went into the rebellion with all the
honors of war, and in peace she obeys the
laws Of her country.
Z In kuklux times, Abbeville county may
have Incurred the displeasure Of the lawless
elements In other counties. but the peaceful
condition OF her people. was never disturbed
by midnight marauders, and their safety
from arrest by such cattle as Merrill was new
er endangered.
Abbeville county may have the displeasure
Of those who would resist the dispensary law
but the right will prevail, and Abbeville's
good name will stand without a blot or blem
ish, In obeying the whiskey laws of the State