The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1907-11-06
REPORT REGARDING MICRO
COLLEGE UNJUST no ABB
BEVILLE.

Some Facts About the COlOred Col.
lege ut Abbeville That is Run Un-
der Auspices Of the Northern Pres
byteriain Church.
From the News and Courier.
Abbeville, Oct 29.-The Associated
Press dispatch from Pittsburg, Pa,
today. with reference to Harbinson
College does great injustice to this
community. and Is in line with much
that has come from sources antagon-
istic to the white people of the South.
Abbeville people are at loss to un-
derstand how committee with
Southern man on 1t could report that
Harbinson College has been fought by
the people Of this community out Of
race prejudice. There Is no race
prejudice In this country except the
prejudice Of few religious fanatics
against their white neighbors in the
South. The negro Of Abbeville coun-
ty has no better friends anywhere
than among the white people Of his
own county.
True 1t may be that there are peo-
pie here as there are in Pittsburg,
perhaps. who have little regard for
the rights Of the negro. but these peo-
pie are the exceptions. The people of
this county are not opposed to the ed
ucation Of the negro. they contribute
from their taxes to give them a COM
mon school education. There has
been In this city for goodIy number
OF years q school known as Ferguson
Williams Academy, presided over by
q negro. the Rev. e. w. williams, and
his wife, most excellent woman, and
this school has worked for the higher
education Of the negro during its en-
tire existence.
The Rev Williams has the support
Of the white people Of his community
He Is respected and his work receives
the well done 1t deserves from his
white neighbors. Only q few days ago
he received endorsements of his
school and work here from his white
friends. when he asked that they re-
commend his school as an institution
whose graduates should be licensed
by the State board Of education to
teach without examination. His re-
quest was gladly compiled with. be-
cause the Rev. Williams educates his
pupils to be citizens as well as edu-
Gators They have the good will Of
blacks and whites alike.
The trouble is not race prejudice
ON the part Of the Southern people, 1t
u race prejudice on the part of the
people OF the North against us. Some
years ago they sent here to be at the
head Of HARRISON College. a negro by
the name OF T. III. Amos. Amos came
here and began his work by waging
warfare against hts neighbor, Will
liams. He attempted to take charge
Of the colored Presbyterian Church
and succeeded in dividing 1t. He was
unrelenting in his hatred and denun-
ciation Of any negro who worked for
white man as q laborer or servant
He preached against the negroes who
did not follow in his lead. He march
ed his negro students along the streets
OF our city. without regard to the
rights Of other pedestrians, forcing
men. women and children alike to
take the street, while his students
marched in stately procession. He an
tagonised the white people in every
way he could. and sought to disturb
the good feeling that existed between
the white and blacks In this commu.
nifty. He taught the old slave, who
was wont to raise his hat to his mas
ter or mistress. when he passed them
on the street. that 1t was a wrong to
his race. and that they should show
no more respect to their white neigh
bors than the whites showe1 to the
hV6tO WOudus
In every way. secretly and openly,
Amos was against the whites. His
teachings brought their own fruie
There was disposition to let Amos
go on his way and this led to fresher
activities He bought property in the
heart Of this city and peopled it with
negroes from the dives. He asked tthe
white clerks in the stores to address
him as Mr.. Amos. AS was likely, his
conduct was resented and he grew In
disfavor. The impertinence Of his
followers brought them into t-ouble,
and as a result Amos appealed to the
white people of this community to
protect him. He asked for their ad.
vice. He appealed to the mayor and
other citizens Of this city, and asked