The Appeal., 1916-12-09
or obeying the First Law

EDITORIAL pointed out that In view xOf
the exodus of Negro labor from the
South to northern industrial fields
and the. approach Of the boil weevil,
South Carolina's problem was to keep
her colored men instead of serving
notice on them that matter how
Industrious or successful they might
be, their case was absolutely hope
less. It so convinced the business
men of Abbeville that they. had
lyRched their own pocket-books, that
on November s another meeting was
held in the courthouse at which the
following resolutions were unani-
mously passed.:
1--WE, the citizens of the city of Alb
5beville, in mass meeting assembled,
do hereby express in. unqualified
terms our disapproval of the recent
violent acts of certain persons COM
mitted in our community, and the
spirit of lawlessness that seems rife
In the county, resulting in continued
acts of lawlessness it is,
"RESOLVED: That the Sheriff of
Abbeville County, the Mayor of Abbe-
vile, the Police Force, and every off,
Ger of the county and city, be urged
to use every effort to enforce the law
and to protect the citizens of the town
and county regardless of condition or
color.
"RESOLvED FURTHER: That we
do hereby pledge ourselves as indi-
viduals to give to the officers of the
law our physical support in maintain
ing the law.
"RESOLVED FURTHER: That if it
be necessary to carry out this deter
mination that the aid of the State and
Federal Government be called in or
der that every citizen may enjoy his
rights under the constitution.
Il "RESOLVED FURTHER That a
committee with Capt. J. L. Perrin as
Chairman, be appointed for the pur-
pose of ascertaining what can be done
towards the organization of a local
military company for the protection
of the citizens of this county and for
maintaining order in our midst. That
this committee be empowered to act
In the premises.
"RESOLvED FURTHER: That
EVERY CITIZEN OF THE TOWN OF
ABBEVILLE BE ASSURED the pro-
lection of the men of this meeting as
long as he obeys the laws of the
state, and spursues only his own legiti-
mate business.
"RESOLVED FURTHER: That q
meeting of the law-abiding citizens of
Abbeville County be called to meet
in this Court House on next Monday
at noon to perfect an organization for
enforcing law and order in this
county, and that every community in
the county be represented at this
meeting, and that steps be taken to
show to the people of the state and
United States that the men of Abbe-
Vile County will defend the law, and
protect the citizens of the common
wealth In the enjoyment of all rights
guaranteed by the law"
At the meeting on November 13 the
above resolutions were endorsed by
prominent citizens from all parts of
the county, and committee of twelve
men are to be appointed, "who shall
have for their duties the furtherance
OF the ends sought by the meeting.
Dy taking up with the citizens of the
county the matters discussed and en-
deavorfng to bring about proper un-
derstanding between the people of the
county, and due observance of the
laws Of the land"
AS q further guarantee that the
Crawford family is to be defended
In their right to live in South Caro-
lima and enjoy the property accumu-
lated by three generations, Governor
Manning has written Mr.. Oswald Gar
risQn Willard, .vice-president of the Ma
tional Association for the Advance
ment of Colored People as follows:
Il realize the gravity of this offense
and am determined to do everything
IN my power to bring the offenders
to justice. I have called on the Sher-
III OF Abbeville County to take the
necessary steps to prevent any un-
lawful action with regard to the ex-
pulsion of the family of Crawford.
am giving serious consideration
20 this matter with a view to making
recommendations to the Legislature,
so as to be able to deal with such
conditions when they arise"