The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1895-04-24
From Daily Item, April %.
What Col. Dargan Has to Say For
Himself.
SrxrER. s. c.. April %, 1895

SUMTER, S. c., April %, 1895
Editor of The Item To try to make the
impression that Sumter and Columbia have
accorded me similar treatment to that | re-
ceived 10 Camden is "a mistake" on your
part and sou must really ''call a halt 90
yourself" Ny first speech on the Cons;itu-
tional Convention might bave been q SUR
prise to some people in Sumter who don't
read. and reflect as toey read, the columns OF
The Freeman. That first meeting, though the
night WAS hideous with sleet, slops and wind,
was we'll a,teoded by the white people and
the speech reported with great fullness IN AL
the local (save one) papers and many Of the
State papers. Yet the next meeting was
somewhat better attended by the whites, and
the third meeting was immense, and mauy-
about 300-were whites "nd The CROWD
listened earnestly and resp+ fully through
out in every instance.
In Columbia the meeting : - most crafty
ing aud encouraging 10 ~! lovers OF tree
thought aud free speech. White men or
greatest prominence and iofuence in city and
State were in attendance, aud 10 sufficient
numbers 20 occupy all the space within the
bar of the court room. Eighteen theological
students, came in a body, and advised me Of
their comirg, and all Knowing my 7lews anc
sentiments MS expressed and published in the
Sumter speeches, yet came out 10 hear and
listen and did listen with marked affection
aud respectful outward bearing al least, ard
after thu speech was over more than a dozen
came up 10 shake hands with me and declare
their pleasure in listening TO such "free and
fearless utterance" however much they dds.
agreed with the conclusions" l had reached.
Now how very different was ii in Camden :?
And was | not right in saying that | "can-
not com mend Camden as a place where peo-
pie love free speech ~ Evidently they allow
ed il only when they could not help them
selves.
There | had reason 10 expect that they and |
had one point at least in common, the deslre to
show tina, Mr. Hallowell was mistaken 10
thinking the people of that city had any but
feelings of detestation for regulator methods
aud that speech was as tree there as III boston:
knowing that two very prominent men mao
told me they were anxious that such should
be the impression and expressed pleasure and
interest in nv coming, | expected, as this
gave me reason 10 expect, and so puollSneo
in the papers. a large crowd Of the best peo-
/ nile 70 treat me as | had been treated in Sum
ter and Colunbia, respectfully, while they
/ listened 70 views with which they did not at
oil agree. Instead OF this was lett 10 get
along without an audience, ! was frowneo at
and avoided by people who heretofore: even
! since my speeches 10 Columbia ano Sumter,
have been friendly with me, and inter that
it was done to deepen the impression that
stmen of the Hallowell ilk" and All defenders
of the right to hold such views and be guilty
of such conduct as Hallowell, that Is, mani
testing an interest in negro schools apo
churches, and negro elevation ana improve
mentor this was all Mr.. Hallowell :eally
did to offend-should be shown that Camden
is not the place for them.
confidently expected, after felt the hot
breath Of the place, TO see an outbreak De-
fore | got away TO mob me for coming.
Now if Camden wishes 10 raise, az she has
effectively done, a Chipese wall about herself
and stay in there and nurse her negro preJu-
dices let her do it; but pray don't try 10 put
a similar wall about Sumter.
The Freeman is doing a great work 10 ad-
y~ertising Sumter as a place where freemen are
not molested-as can be shown TO any one
who will call a, this office ADD see the com
ments of press and pulpit io large cities oy
most eminent editors and one divine on the tact
that such a paper is published here.
The Freeman has called attention more
than once 10 the kind treatment the editor
received here from the masses OF the people,
and the fact that the paper has been support
ed for four years by Local money. These facts
will soon be worth tens OF thousands OF dollars
10 This CITY ana will bring what we most want
thrifty. mountaineering and money-msking
f., ,,,,IaI manly men here.
No. don / ie, /, be supposed ,hat Sumter IS
GOING 20 range herself along side OF those old
tlmev, silly Camdeu folks. LET them flock to
themselves. or get in with Charleston and
the .Ners ma Cow,er and stay behind the
procession, or te dragged at the tail o. the
ca: OF progress. Sumter IS now seen in the
van Of thought and liberty, and IS going TO
STAY there, | trust. Respectfully,
JNo. j. DARGAN.