The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1898-03-02
THE LAKE CITY MURDER
CONDEMNED.
Mass Meeting of Citizens.

macs meeting of the citizens OF Sumter
county was held in ths Court Houee al 81
o'clock Thursday to consider the murders com-
mit.ed at Laie City on Monday night ard to
take action to place on reco.d ;be continent
OF the community 10 respect to tho bartarous
outrage.
The meeting was sn impromptu gathering,
suggested by Ar. Rich4d I. Manning, who
happened to be in town. His suggestion met
With such hearty approval that although no;
more than half hoor's notice was given that
the meeting would be held, the gathering
Ess large AID representative. There were
preaen, not only many business men, mem
5ers ef the bur and other citizens Of the city,
but aumbers Of representative men from va
rious parts of the county who were 10 the
city.
The meeting was called TO orde1 by Mr. R.
]. AaooinR who noroiosted Hon T B. Fra.
ser as cbsirmau- Mr.. L. R. Jennings, of
BossArd, wss elected Secretary Judge Fra
ser stated the OBJECT OF the meeting and call
cd for remsrks from those present.
Ar. Manning was the first speaker. He
epoke briefly in condemnation of the horri-
BILE crime, committed, at Lake City tbst has
disgraced not only that section but has
brought reproach upon the entire State of
South Carolina and all her citizens He said
that it was the duty of all r,ght-thinkirg aod
law-atidin2 men to place upon this crime
ths seal Of their condemnation snd severe
.ensurs He offered the following resolu-
cione, SO the sentiments Of the people OF Sum-
ter County;
Whereas, we, citizens of toe comfy of
Sumter, IN mass meeti4g assembled, have
learned Of the murders recently committed at
Lake City, 10 the county Of Williamsburg.
aud whiie We disapproge of the appointment
of negroes to such positions es are calculated
to promote aatagooism between the races, yet
we are shocked hey youd expression at the in
tolerance and cowardice of the crime, and
wjsh-to proclaim in no uncertaio words our
ut,er and unsquivocal condemnation of this
and eimilsr crimes, and declare oar belief
that The right-thiukin2 and self-respectiog
citizens of Sumter Couu,y and Of South Car
olina agree With us in these views, therefore
be i.
/. Resolved that We hereby place on re-
cord our sesere censure of the crime and of
the epiri. Of 10 otolerance Of those participating
IN il,
O. That we call on the citizeos of the
several counties Of this State TO meet at their
respective cou:s bouses and declare their con-
demnation and censnre Of the ret
That we commend the chief Executive of
this state for the prompt measures ne has
taken TO arprehend the guilty parties and
that pe respectfully but most strongly urge
that TO means-te neglected to bring then, 10
justice
MIR z. D Lee made forcible spaech in
secosciue ,he resolutions and emphasized the
great necessity that e1iss for the intelligent,
aw.aoidiog and patriotic citizens OF this
State and of the erlire country TO use their
utenost iu6neocs and earneet endeavors TO
pn, down tine spirit of lawlessness that appears
TO be on tie incsease in the lard. 10 COM
meutine On The unexamp,ed horror of the
L.Se City massacre, he spoke Of how the
spirit of violerce had spread uusil the law
less element now lynch men for all crimes and
for NO crime at all. as 10 the Lake City case,
where prejudice alone VAS the motive astuat-
ing those who killed in cold blood man,
aod Ills baby aud shot his wife and children
Hoa Altamont Moses cleo spoke in sup-
port Of the resolutions and IN condemnation
of the Lake City murders and of the lawless-
ness and violence .hat prevails.
Gen W Noise seconded The resolutions
10 ebert sperch 10 which be reviewed the
growth Of crime and lawlessress 10 this State
aud 10 The entire country, cnmUcntiog on the
coadiuous tnnt g,se so great concern and re-
gret TO all men who have the good of their
country at heart, in a broad aad liberal
spirit.
The resolutions were then adopted by a
rising vote, every man present votiog in ia.
vor Of them.