The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1903-09-02

Numerous instances could be cited IN
proof of this fact, and We venture to
challenge the impartial public to cite
a single instance to disproye it.
The negro in South Carolina bas no
voice or partici cation in the enact
ment or the enforcement of the law.
We therefore appeal to the white peo-
ple for the proper and impartial en-
forcement of the laws, which they
themselves made, for we have rellea
upon the promises OF protection ana
EQUALITY before the law made by the
late Governor Wade Hampton and sue
cessors, and endorsed by the law-abid-
ing white citizens.
We wish to record our unqualified
condemnation Of all criminal acts by
negroes. We do not deny that the
neoro race furnishes an alarmlngly
large per cent. of the criminal class OF
South Carolina, and we do not con-
done their crimes. We denounce the
crime Of rape as inhuman and brutal,
and those who commit it as deserving
the seyerest punishment that can be
inflicted by law, but we hold that the
Nervousness Of the crime should
strengthen the demand OF trial by
Jury. We feel assured that the better
class OF white citizens do not believe
that the better class of colored citi-
zens would harbor or conceal any
member of the race who is accused OF
crime from the properly constituted
authorities. We denounce lynchlng as
unlawful and, therefore, unjustifabie
under any circumstances, and We re-
gret that not ever a liberal reward by
the Governor will secure the identih-
cation and arrest of white ,lyncbers IN
South Carolina. We do not recall
single instance where white lynchers
have been convicted in this State, but
II is on record that for the one and
only instance where Tin the county of
Pickens} negroes lynched white
rapist. the lynchers were tried and
convicted. We deplore the unreliable
methods used by the State press and
by the management Of the Associated
Press dispatch Offices in the State to
secure correct reports of crimes al
legged to have been committed by ne
groes. Too often sensational reports,
that excite little or no interest in the
localities where the alleged offences
occurred, are sent out by the press.
And lynching parties have probably
been organized under excitement re-
sulting from such reports.
We deplore the cruel and inhuman
attacks upon the negro race that are
being made by the senior United
States Senator from South Carolina,
and prayerfully hope that the good
white people Of the State do not en-
dorse his views. We are surprised
that those high in authority, State OF
Federal would make utterances capa-
Bile Of the inference that the better
class Of negroes should be held any
more responsible for the morals, pow
erty or crimes of their race than the
better class Of other races composing
the Republic should be for theirs.
The negro proves no less responsible
Co the civilizing influences In Ameri
can life than any other racs. Fur
ther, we declare that tho gross
crimes charged against the race are
not committed by the educated and
self-respecting class. To our mind
this IS forcibie argument favorable
to the extension of the school terms
and the improvement Of our ieduca-
tional facilities.
We entertain the hope that the sem
timent expressed by the Ex- Governor
IN the following: It is not necessary
to worry about the negro; be- is get
ting all the education which is pro-
vided now and could get no more nm
der compulsory attendance, does not
prevail. Why is not compulsory edu-
cation as necessary for the colored
children as for any other class Of chill
.dren? Why should we expect an illit-
crate negro to be more law-abiding
citizen than an indolent white man?
We most earnestly appeal to those in
authority for continuance OF their
efforts on behalf of the colored schools
which they declare to be one of the
most indispensable helps in the inn
proYement of the pace.
We pledge ourselves to earnestly and
faithfully advise Our people to abstain
from all iawiessness and the habits Of
.shifSlessness and yagrancy. We further
pledge ourselves to support the negro
pulpit and press in denouncing all
criminal acts on the part Of our race.
We further pledge ourselves to unite
with our white fellow citizens in all
lawful methods for the apprehension
and arrest of all persons who may be
charged with crime and pledge our
cooperation with the white ministry,
press and law abiding citizens in the
creation of 8 healthy sentiment in the
interest of law and order.
o. D. Robinson, Chairman: ". P.
Carolina, Jacob Moorer, E. j.
Sawyer, r. E. WALL J. B. Mancebo,
r. H. Richardson, E. 81. Wilson, NJ.
C. Rhodes, S. E. Smith, A. G. Town
send, George 7. billiard, J. A.
Brown, secretary.
The Convention decided to organize
a permanent claw and Order Associa-
tion.' The Rev. M. G. Johnson, of
Columbia, was elected president; DR..
billiard, OF Columbia, vice president,
and j. A. Brown. of Columbia, secre-
taEy. The next Convention was called
to meet here on the fourth Tuesday in
August 19O4.-News and Courier.
Yellow Fever in Mexico.