The Kansas City sun. (Kansas City, Mo.) 1908-1924, 1916-12-02

editorial, pointed out that in view of
the exodus of Negro labor from the
South to northern industrial fields
and the approach of the boil weeviI.
South Carolina's problem was to keep
her colored men instead of serving
notice on them that no matter how
industrious or successful they might
be, their case was absolutely hope
less. 1t so convinced the business
men of Abbeyille that they had lynch
ed their own pocketbooks, that on
November another meeting was held
in the court house at which the fol-
lowing resolutions were unanimously
passed:
I'VE, the citizens of the city of Abb
beville, 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,
''Reolved: That the Sheriff of Abbe-
vile county, the Mayor of AbbevilIe,
the Police Force, and every officer 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 individuals
to give to the officers of the law our
physical support in maintaining the
law.
Resolved Further, That If it be
necessary to carry out this determi-
nation that the aid of the State and
Federal Government be called in Or
der that every citizen may enjoy his
rights under the constitution.
Resolved Further, That a commit
tee with Capt. ]. L. Perrin as Chair
man, be appointed for the purpose of
ascertaining what can be done to-
wards the organization of local mill
tary 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 citi-
zen of the town of Abbeville be as
sured the protection of the men of
this meeting as long as he obeys the
laws of the state, and pursues only
his own legitimate business.
| Resolved Further, That a meeting
of the law-abiding citizens of Able
: vile county be called to meet in this
t court house on next Monday at noon
( to perfect an organization for enforc-
= ing law and order in this county, and
e that every community in the county
be represented at this meeting, and
that steps be taken to show to the
Q people of the state and United States
o that the men of Abbeville county will
n defend the law, and protect the citi
4 zens of the commonwealth in the en-
/, joyment of all rights guaranteed by
:. the law"
e At the meeting on November 13 the
It above resolutions were endorsed by
Z prominent citizens from all parts o.
d the county, and a committee of twelve
y men are to be appointed, "who shall
d have for their duties the furtheranct
l. of the ends sought by the meeting
e by taking up with the citizens Of thu
s county the matters discussed and en-
d deavoring to bring about prope
L understanding between the people o
d the county, and a due observance o
the laws of the land"
y AS further guarantee that tn
1t Crawford family is to be defended il
1t their right to live in South Carolin
is and enjoy the property accumulate
r, by three generations, Governor Mar
is ming has written Mr.. Oswald Garriso
,e Willard, vice-president of the NatioI
I'd al Association for the Advancemer
ce of Colored People as follows:
a 81 realize the gravity of this offens
IL and am determined to do everythin
in my power to bring the offender
in to justice. have called on the Sheri
it of Abbeville county to take the nece
MS sary steps to prevent any unlawf
Dir action with regard to the expulsion
90 the family Of Crawford.
10 II am giving serious considerati'
ais to this matter with view to makil
le- recommendation to the Legislatul
so as torbe able to deal with such cs
full ditions when they arise"