The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1899-02-08
The Pursuit of the TOlberts.
Greenville News.

The following communication, received
here yesterday, demands attention:
Darlington, s. c., Jan. %, 1899.
To the Editor OF the Greenville News:
see bv the papers that Wardlaws, Aikens
and HaskelIs have been taking part in public
meetings to intimidate the Toberts and run
them out of the State. These are distinguish
ed names in South Carolina history and great
ly ia 1t to he regretted that men bearing them
should be mixed up with conduct so shame
ful as these "bulldozing" mass meetings are
Tolbert has good right to be a republican as
they (and y have to be democrat, and
think IT about time that somebody speak out
plainly about these Outrages upon freedom o.
political conduct In South Carolina. | would
rather suffer death intending for another
mans freedom than to suffer IL contending
for my own, and have concluded will give
expression TO my views about the treatment
OF these Toberts, as plain duty owe them
and owe all VIII o are treated like them-yes I
owe to the cause OF human freedom and man.
hood everywhere. These mass meetings as
held are attended by men who are really un-
fit for residence In civilized community.
Their mandates should be defied by the peo-
ple they threaten, the consequences what they
may. l declare my readiness TO help the Toll
berts to live in South Carolina by word and
act. If am alone can stand and proudly
''a'O' John J. Dargan.
Our friend John j. Dargan is good man
blessed with the spirit OF everlasting youth
would have felt as he does, but we have learn
ed that there are always two sides to story.
: On the face Of II the Tolberts have all the
right on their side and all the wrong is on the
other side.
II must be remembered. however, that the
people OF Abbeville and Green wood have
been more or less annoyed during several
years by the political proceedings OF the Toll
berts and by the even more irritating fears
and expectations of trouble to result from
their influence over the Negroes. No doubt
much Of this uneasiness was unnecessary,
but all of US who are familiar with Southern
conditions know how such things are, how
the gable OF an old woman or the foolish
talk Of some irresponsible man can cause up
roar in a whole neighborhood when every
body is on edge and in momentary expecta-
tion Of trouble.
The Tolberts have, in our opinion. been the
victims OF needless alarms and preJud Ices
stronger than any known facts justify. The
good people of Greenwood and Abbeville
have, we think, allowed themselves to be
made ridiculous and have put themselves In
position Of which they will probably be
have allowed themselves to be led in their
opinions and actions by the irresponsible ruff
fans who butchered Negro prisoners and shot
women and children and who seem TO have
terroriZed the more conservative people and
to have distorted usually correct public sen.
timent by the power OF noise and force.
Legally and morally, judging by all the
rules, the Abbeville and Green wood people
are wrong. The ,Tolberts have the right to
live at their homes and to vote and act in pol.
itics as they like. II we had State govern
ment which amounted to row of pins they
some OF the people who are In the illegal and
improper movement against them too well,
however, 70 believe that they are without
Justification.