The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1894-02-14
Time to Keep Cool.

Time to Keep Cool.
Right nov is a good time for all
South Carolinians, regardless Of poll
tics, to commence putting 10 some sound
thinking. The situation is extremely
critical, and above all else, it is incum-
bent upon every one to study to keep
cool:s
About five weeks ago, negro was
killed in Spartanburg. Ten days ago
dispensary constable was accused Of
slapping woman 10 Charleston. On
the same day there was almost a riot in
that city. Last Thursday afternoon there
was street duel in Columbia. Last
Saturday night one white man was killed
and another was seriously wounded near
Wexford. 10 Spartanburg county. All
of these incidents were the direct results
of efforts to enforce the dispepsary law.
The dispensary law is the law of the
State. There is bitter opposition to it;
but, nevertheless, it is law. and should
be enforced. Notwithstanding the fact
that the law is drastic and that its
constitutionality is questionable, it is
incumbent on every good citizen to give
it his support, or fight it only in the
courts. Violence is as uDjusti6able as
it is dangerous. and by resortipg to it.
our people have everything to lose and
nothing to gain.
So far there have been two sides to
every incident. 1t is claimed that the
it Spartanburg negro resisted arrest, and
vas necessary to kill him in self-defense.
If this is true. the killing was justi6-
able. On the other band, it is claimed
that the negro was running away and
that he was shot in the back. If this is
true, the killing was upjusti6able.
Elliott claims that he did not slap the
Charleston woman, and that the charge
was made against him and sustained
altogether by interested witnesses, who
had sufficient motive to perjure them
selves. Whether this is true or not
nobody can tell {; butat the same time
it must be confessed that its truth is
not impossible. 1t seems to be
clear that Meetze was angry at
Miller because Miller testified
against an alleged blind tiger.
Meetze was evidently the agressor in q
matter in which be had no business,
and got the worst Of it. That Davis is
also to blame in measure, is quite
possible. One story is that the people
at Wexford were shot down while trying
to run away, and another story is that
they were resisting arrest. The blood
of the people is SO hot. that absolute
assurance of the facts is next to impossi-
BILE.
Just now the papers should be care
full about printing such things. and
should give both sides. They should
do all they can to keep the people
calm and cool. It should be remem-
bered that the presumption of guilt is
rather against those charged with
breaking the law. OF course, if an
official makes a mistake, it is natural
that he shall try to defend himself, and
with a hundred inexperienced consta-
bles, it is not surprising that many
mistakes should be made. But, at
the same time, whenever a wrong is
committed, the chances are that the
responsibility rest in measure with
both parties to it.
Again, we say keep cool. If the
dispensary Law is not upheld by
majority of the voters. the next legis-
lature can repeal it. In the meantime,
let Governor Tillman do what he can
to carry out its provisions. If the
governor appears too rash. that is no
excuse for rashness on the part of the
people. The remedy for all violations
Of law. either by the governor or the
blind tigers, is 10 the courts or at the
ballot box. The people are justified in.
seeking remedy nowhere else. Above
all things else, however, let everybody
keep cool.-Yorkuille Enquirer.