Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, October 19, 1876, Image 2
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YORKFIL.L.E. S. C.:
THURSDAY MORNING, OCT. 19, 1876.
HAMPT ON.
GRAND DEMONSTRATION BT THE TORE
DEMOCRACY.
Second only to the Largest Meeting in the
State.
ENTHUSIASM OF THE LADIES.
Seene*
and Incident* of the Meeting.
THE SPEECHES.
The rally of the York Democracy last Friday,
in honor of Wade Hampton, State Reform
and Honeet Government, is said by those
who have been at every meeting of the campaign,
to have been the largest and most imposing
demonstration yet made, excepting,
perhaps, the meeting at Abbeville.
Preparations had been making for several
days for the grand occasion. In addition to
the zeal and well-directed efforts of Major
James F. Hart, Chairman of the County Executive
Committee, and C. E. Spencer, Esq.,
Secretary of the same, the Committee of Arrangements,
consisting of W. B. Metts, H.
W. Hope, J. P. Herndon, J. D. Colcock,
S. Anderson McElwee and John F. Oates,
were untiring in the performance of their labors
to render the meeting an entire and perfect
success. The stores and shops were
closed, and the citizens of the town, with one
accord, gave themselves entirely to the day.
The large and beautiful park, enclosed on
the grounds of M r.jor Hart, on Main street,
was selected as the place where the speaking
should be held. Here a large, substantial
stand was erected, on either side of which
was also a smaller one?one for the "Hampton
Boys," of whom we shall speak hereafter,
and the other for the band of music. By
fair hands the stands were decorated with
wreaths of evergreens and festoons of flowers,
the latter hanging in the utmost profusion,
their rich and variegated colors, on that bright
October day, harmonizing most singularly and
beautifully with the "sear and yellow" autumn
foliage of the tritts and shrubbery in the
park. Besides numerous mottoes and devices,
wrought in evergreens and appropriate to the
occasion, a streamer, reaching the full length
of the grand stand, bore the inscription, Welcome,
Hampton. For noble women York
yields the palm to none; and appropriately
did they manifest their enthusiasm and devotion
in the cause in which the people are enlisted,
not only by the work of tfleir fair hands
in decorating the stand from which Carolina's
noble son was to address the multitude, but
at a later hour prr0" oJ ?mili"Lf
approbajiftPi^ctieenng their fathers, their
brothers and their sweethearts in the cause of
redeeming from the despoilers' grasp their
J J J
Uiice pruuu auu grauu uiu ou?tu.
Early in the morning the people commenced
to arrive,.and by 10 o'clock the streets
were filled with pedestrians, the various mounted
clubs having, in the meantime, quietly
marched to their place of rendezvous a mile
and a half east of town. Here they were
formed in column by Col. A. Coward, Chief
Marshal, who had for his assistants, D. C.
McKinney, W. B. Smith, J. W. Colcock, W.
W. Gaffney, G. J. Steele and W. B. Wilson,
Jun. At 11 o'clock they were met by Wade
Hampton and those accompanying him, the
arrival of whom was the signal for the wildest
enthusiasm. Cheer after cheer rent the air,
and numbers of men, who had followed the
gallant chieftain in battle, rushed to grasp him
^Jby the hand.
The column formed again, and mounted on
a splendid charger, Hampton took his place
by the side of the Marshal, who at the head of
the ranks, marched the clubs through Liberty
street into Main, as far as the old Academy,
where they were met by Arlington Hook and
Ladder Company in uniform, and two companies
of juveniles?the "Hampton Boys" and
the "Evins Boys," who were handsomely uniformed
; the former with white pants and red
blouze, and the latter with blue blouze trimmed
with red, and black pants?when the column
returned on the same street, marching
to the speakers' stand. The mounted clubs
in the procession numbered about six hundred,
and composed the following: Bullock's
n l.
uicca, xviug o iuuuubaiU) iuuw;uuciio?ijig)
Clay Hill, Bethel, Bock Hill, Hickory Grove,
Cherokee, Ebenezer and Yorkville. The
march through the streets was a perfect ovation,
in which all, including hundreds of ladies,
vied with each other in paying homage
to the chieftain.
The procession halted near the stand, when
Gen. Hampton dismounted and repaired to
the quarters assigned him at the residence of
Major Hart, having for an escort the "Hampton
Boysand the procession broke ranks,
those composing it riding out to care for their
horses, it having been decided to dismount
the clubs before the commencement of the
speaking.
By this time the Lancaster. Brass Band,
which was delayed in its arrival from Bock
?iui, baa reacnea me environs 01 me town,
and the people, to the number of three thousand,
having assembled at the stand, General
Hampton and the other speakers, accompanied
by Major Hart, chairman of the meeting,
ascended the grand stand. The presence of
Hampton called forth a shout of applause, and
again old comrades and men who have known
him in the civil walks of life, rushed forward
to extend their congratulations and to grasp
his hand, a shower of boquets, thrown by the
ladies, falling around bis feet, while two little
girls?Misses Hattie B. Lowry and Cora Lee
Kuykendal?carried on the stand, and delivered
with their own hands, a magnificent boquet,
a tribute from the young ladies of
Yorkville Female Institute.
Among the invited guests who occupied
seats on the grand stand, were those venerable
citizens, Mr. James Brian, formerly Sheriff
of York, and Mr. H. F. Adickes, the oldest
merchant, perhaps, in the county.
After the cheering had in a measure ceased,
and at the conclusion of the ceremony of presenting
the boquet, from the stand reserved
for the "Hampton Boys," the peals of an organ
bifrst forth. It had been arranged for
V^thg juveniles composing the company of
Hk^^Dton Boys," to sing, at the opening of
^^^Bi^^^B^^j&mpaign song, adapted to the
ganist, Mr. J. R. Schorb, Jwas requested to
perform an instrumental accompaniment. No
sooner had the prelude ended, however, than,
with a Spontaneous outburst, a thousand
tongues joined to swell the melody of the song,
the effect of which was grand and surprising,
as, with one voice, they rendered
THE SONG OF THE HAMPTON BOYS;
Ho ! my comrades, see the signal
Waving far and wide ;
Hampton and the boys are riding,
For honest rule they ride.
Hold the fort, for they are coming,
Hampton leads us still;
Send the answer o'er the country,
By God's help we will.
See the mighty host advancing,
Simpson leading on;
Rogues and thieves the State are leaving;
Soon they'll all be gone.
Hold the fort, for they are going,
Hear the bugle blow,
In our leader's name we'll triumph
Over every foe.
See our glorious banner waving,
Proudly in the air ;
Victorv will crown the efforts
Of those -who do and dare.
Hold the fort, for we are coming,
Hampton signals still.
Send the message o'er the nation,
Yes, indeed, we will.
Long our :,Prostrate State" has suffered.
But our help is near;
Onward comes our great commander,
Cheer, my comrades, cheer.
Hold the fort, for we are coming,
Hampton leads us still,
Send glad tidings o'er the nation,
By God's help we will.
The meeting was then called to order by
Major Hart, who requested Rev. Dr. Meynardie
to make an offering to the Throne of
Grace, at the conclusion of which, and after
music by the band, the Chairman introduced
WADE HAMPTON,
who was received with a tremendous and prolonged
shout of applause, at the subsidence
of which, he spoke in substance as follows :
Ladies and Fellow Citizens:?This is a great
day, as your chairman has truly said, for the
old Kiog's Mountain District, and it is right
and proper that it, more than any other portion
of the State, should respond to the pres
ent call made upon her sons. All are now
fighting in the same cause that animated our
sires at King's Mountain?the cause of civil
liberty and oppressive taxation?the great
principles that brought about the American
Revolution. This vast assemblage is animated
by the same spirit that moved our forefathers
to resist oppression and high taxation,
and I congratulate you, as the representatives
of the cause of honest home government for
our beloved State, that the signs are now
more favorable for you to peaceably achieve
that result than they were in the King's Mountain
District one hundred years ago.
I am here to-day the bearer of glad tidings.
While at Rock Hill, last night, I received a
telegram from Governor Hendricks, of Indiana,
announcing that that State has given a
Democratic majority of from five to eight
thousand ; that the Democratic majority iu
West Virginia is ten thousand, by which we
secure two United States Senators ; and that
in Ohio the Republicans are scarcely able to
hold their own, having carried the State by
only a small majority. These are tidings
which should stir us all. They tell us that
the system of oppression and misrule?of
Grantism?with which the whole country has
been afflicted for the past eight years, is going
down, and shall go down. It tells us that
the existence of bad government is recognized
in every portion of this broad land except
the State of South Carolina; but even here,
the indications are that all classes of our
people, regardless of color or party designation,
are becoming equally tired of corrupt
government, and that the Democratic ticket
will be triumphantly elected in this State.
And I may here say that should I be elected
Governor of South Carolina, and called to
J-perform-ihe. duties of the high office^I shaljdischarge
the functions devofviug upon me
fearlessly and with impartiality toward every
citizen of the State.
How is it with your present Governor?
Instead of being at his post to see that life and
liberty are protected to the citizens of the
State, at the least alarm, he flies to Washington
for troops. The calling for troops, however,
I do not deprecate. The Democrats
want a fair election ; they wast to see a fair
untramelled vote, which the presence of United
States soldiers at every ballot-box in the
State will not prevent. But what does Governor
Chamberlain desire ? He sees that he
has taken position on a ticket with men whom
he has denounced as the most corrupt men in
South Carolina, after having gone through
the State and asserted that it is absolutely
necessary to reform the Republican party,
and declared that if honest Republicans cannot
be selected for office, then it will become
necessary to take Democrats. He has even
admitted that what has been done in the way
of reform was accomplished by Democratic
members of the Legislature. He courted
Democratic favor and bid for the Democratic
, nomination by denouncing Whipper and other
Republicans. He has also denounced Elliott
as the most corrupt man in the State,
and on the floor of the Republican Convention,
Elliott, in turn, denounced Chamberlain as
corrupt, even asserting that he had in his
pocket papers, the contents of which, if brought
up against Chamberlain, would consign him
to the penitentiary. And what do we see ?
Chamberlain nominated for Governor, and on
the same ticket Elliott nominated for Attorney-General
; both on the same ticket, after
Elliott had branded Chamberlain as a scoundrel,
who sat silent, afraid to repel the charge,
or knowing it to be true ; and on the next day
after Elliott threatened Chamberlain with
those papers, these two men walked arm in
arm on the streets of Columbia.
But what should be the consequence of Elliott's
charge upon Chamberlain ? Suppose
they are both elected, what course should Elliott
pursue ? It is Elliott's duty to prove that
what he told is true, or Chamberlain's duty
to prove that it is false. I happen to know it is
true, but the information and facts have come
to me in a confidential manner, and I cannot
make public use of them. But supposing
' them true, and that Elliott may be elected Attorney-General.
If he is an honest man, as
Attorney-General for the State, he will prosecute
Chamberlain and send him to the penitentiary,
where he ought to be. Nor do the
accusations and counter accusations of the m??
composing the State Republican ticket end
with accusations made by each other of
Chamberlain and Elliott. Dunn denounces
| Cardozo as a great rascal, and Cardozo denounces
Dunn as a great rascal; and both tell j
the truth.
Until this time I have postponed discussing !
the political record of Chamberlain, because j
I do not like to speak of a man unless he is
present to hear what I have to say ; nor do I i
' say anything in the absence of a man that I j
will not say in his presence. But, that he is :
not present, is no fault of mine. I invited
him to attend my appointments, x earn to i
him, come and tell the people what you have
done and what you propose to do, and if
what I say of you is false you can contradict
it. We each named five appointments
at whioh we would conduct joint discussions?
five in the upper counties and five in the low'er?and
I accepted all the terms he proposed,
, naming York as the first county in which !
we would speak. Where is he now ? Where !
is he, if I am here saying what is hntrue?
He will not come. We want a fair discussion
throughout the State. We even demand
1 it, and throw no obstacle in the way of paving
it. But instead of meeting us, he sends
up the cry of armed clubs and that he is;
afraid of trouble. But with this plea, as with 1
every other, he has failed. There are no arm
ed clubs going through the State or attending :
our meetings; but they are attended by brave j
and honest men, who want to hear the truth. |
And, my colored friends, you will never be ;
, free until you have the manliness and inde- j
, pendence to act for yourselves. You have, |
ever since emancipation, been slaves to your j
Klitical masters. As members of the Loyal i
ague you have been fettered slaves to par-'
\\\V.\\\\\\\W TOWWXWW \\npv VBW????W
ty, bound by an oath to support the candidates
of that party. If you want to be freemen
you must withdraw from the Loyal
League and similar political societies. You
can be Republicans if you wish, but if you
would be freemen, withdraw from the League,
which may bind you by your oath to vote
against your will. I do not ask you for your
votes. I advocate free speech, a free ballot,
a free press and the largest liberty to every
citizen. I recognize every one in our State,
white and colored, no matter where they may
come from, if they are honest.' and worthy
citizens, as Carolinians?all over whom our
flag floats or who claim our protection.
I am not speaking to you as a Democrat,
nor as a politician, but I address you as a
South Carolinian. You, too, are South Carolinians
by birth, and I desire to see both races
come together and strike for good government
and home rule. I have hope in a union of
the honest men of all parties who wish to see
our State prosper and have our laws fairly
and honestly administered. You can come to
us on the platform of the Democratic party
adopted on the 15th of August. That party,
its platform, and I at the head of its ticket,
recognize all the rights as conferred upon the
colored people by the written laws of the laud.
The Democratic party, nor the white people
of South Carolina, canDot, if we desired to do
so, deprive the colored people or a single rigiu
they now enjoy. The Democratic party recognizes
the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth
amendments to the Constitution of the United
States, and would not repeal them if it were
in the power of the party so to do.
Long before the thirteenth amendment was
passed by Congress?when you were not recognized
by the laws either of the United
States or this State as citizens?when you
were free, but not permitted to vote, I, here in
South Carolina, in 1866 and 1867, at a time
when all the political power in the* State was
in the hands of the white men, before you had
a voice at the ballot-box, advised the right of
colored suffrage; and if any of you doubt the
truth of this statement, I refer you to Beverly
Nash, or any other colored man of Richland
countv. who was present at a public meeting
in which I advised the measure. As further I
evidence of my position at that time on the
question of suffrage for the colored people, I
will read to you an extract from a letter written
by me on the 7th of August, 1867, to sixty
prominent citizens of South Carolina, who bad
addressed me, asking my advice on the then
condition of affairs in the State. The letter
had escaped ray memory until this morniDg,
when for the first time I had seeu it in print
since it was first published. In that letter I
recognized the freedom of. the colored people,
as will appear by the following, which I will
read:
"On a lato public occasion, where many of you
(those to whom the letter was addressed) were
present, I expressed my perfect willingness to see
impartial suil'rage established at the South, and I
believe that this opinion is entertained, not only
by a large majority of the intelligent and reflecting
whites, but also of this same class among the ,
blacks. The Supreme Court has decided that a j
negro is not a citizen of the United States, and
Congress cannot reverse that decision by an Act.
The States, however, are competent to conlor citizenship
on the negro, and I think it is the part of
wisdom that such action should be taken by the
Southern States. We have recognized the freodom
of the blacks, and have placed this fact beyond
all possibility of doubt, denial or recall.
Lot us recognize, in the same frank manner, and
as fully, their political rights also."
I recommended this measure at that time because
I recoguized the colored people as
citizens. I have always, since their emancipation,
stood on that ground. The Democratic
party have come to the same place and
called me to be their standard bearer in this
campaign. I was the first man in America
.irkn cwirrnnafod nocrrn Riiffratrfi. and at the
same time I first advocated it, Morton, of Indiana,
was making speeches in opposition to
the measure, asserting that the colored men
were unqualified to vote. Andrews, of Massachusetts,
also took the same ground. While
you are here voting with Chamberlain, go to
Massachusetts with him. 'Many o? you'can"-' "
not vote there. No one can vote in Massachusetts
who cannot read the constitution of
the State. When you hear such sentiments
come from the people of the North, examine
the papers, aud see for yourselves what are
the conditions of suffrage in those States. In
most of those States the colored man is not
allowed to vote nor sit on a jury. These are
facts. I have tried to say not one word that
is not the truth. I would not tell your people
a falsehood if, by doing so, I could get the
vote of every man in the State. [A voice in
the crowd?What about Wallace?]
Well, of Mr. Wallace there is but little
that can be said. I have served in the Legis
' ?J J?!? l:_ ?L?I?
lature wim mm, &uu uunug ma wuum uaioci
as a legislator, I do not remember that he
introduced but one bill in the Legislature,
and that was a bill providing to sell free colored
people into slavery. I spoke and voted
against that bill, and exerted all the influence
I could command to defeat it. Yet you have
voted for that man who wanted to pass a law
to sell free men into slavery ; and if you could
trust him, why can you not trust one who opposed
so iniquitous a measure? If he denies
that he ever introduced such a bill, tell him
on my authority that he is a liar. [Addressing
Capt. J. T. Lowry, who was a member of
the'same session?is it not so, Capt. Lowry ?
Did not A. S. Wallace introduce such a bill
as I have described, at the session of 1858?
Answer?he did ; what you have said is the
truth.] For further information on this subject,
I refer you to the Journal of the House
for that year. That is all about A. S Wallace,
and he is not worth the time I have given
him.
I am not addressing you as a partisan. I
carry with me no partisan feelings in this
canvass, and speak to you only as a Carolinian
who wants to redeem our dear old State to
her former proud position. Judge Mackey
says I am as good a Republican as he wants,
and the signs of the times are that every Republican
who is not a candidate, is going to
support the Democratic ticket.
You have all doubtless heard of Chamberlain's
recent proclamation, issued for the purpose
of creating political capital. The assertions
made in this proclamation are contradicted
by Chief Justice Moses, Justice Willard,
Judges Cooke, Mackey and others, all
nf toVinm one tha ehartra.q acrainqt the Deo
| ^ j . i .
pie contained in that proclamation are false.
These Judges, 'excepting Willard, whose position
I do not know, have come over to the
Democratic ticket. They do not renounce
! their Republican faith, but they have determined,
in the interest of good home government,
to support the State Democratic ticket.
And so it is with nearly all your former leaders.
The men who have led you have come
over to the Democrats, and will leave you to
take care of yourselves.
But in voting the Democratic ticket for
the purpose of reforming our State government,
you will do no more than white Deracrats
have done in the past, hoping to secure
the same result. We have voted for Republi
can candidates. We voted for Carpenter
and Green. They said they were trying to
reform the State Government, and we all
stepped forward and gave them our hearty
and unqualified support. But in these contests
the reform ticket was beaten?or declared
to be beaten?and we are going to try
it now ourselves. I reiterate that we fully
recognize all the rights of the colored people.
I here ^ive you my solemn promise that should
I be elected Governor of South Carolina, the
colored man shall be equal before the laws to
any man in the State. This is a solemn |
pledge which requires no effort for me to make.
We pledge a good government for the entire
people of the State, in which every colored
citizen shall have equal advantage with the
whites. We pledge to your people better educational
facilities than they have hitherto enjoyed.
We pledge ourselves that every cent
of the educational fund shall be strictly applied
to its legitimate purpose. It is to our interest
that you and your children should be educated
; and after a trial you will find that every !
promise we make will be faithfully redeemed.
We ask you to go with us once. The leaders
of your party having failed for the past eight
years to give us a good and honest govern
ment, it is but proper that you should join us
in restoring our State to home rule. And I
am glad to say that the colored people all
over the State are rallying to the call. Ah
ready there is a sufficient number of colored
people enrolled in Democratic clubs throughout
the State to elect the Democratic ticket
by a handsome majority. But we want more.
We want you all to come. We want Republicans
to join our ranks until none of the
party is left. In this respect, I am like the
woman who quarrelled with her husband.
As the most loving couples sometimes will
do, a man and his wife, while walking along
the banks of a pond, had a little quarrel,
during which, in his desperation, the husband
threatened to jump into the pond and
drown himself. Instead of remonstrating
with him, the wife, who had their child in her
arms, only said, "Well, if you are going to
jump into the pond and drown yourself, take
Charlie too; for I don't wan't any of your
darned breed left!" So, I say to all honest
Republicans; come over to the Democratic
?"* - ?-? 1> r>_ J:?i
party untu Done 01 tue uarneu jLvauiwi uiwu
is left. t
In coming to us, you are only coming to
your own people. You do not desert your
true friends, but you are coming to them.
We only want Carolinians to rule Carolina.
We want home rule?a home government administered
by men who have an interest in
the welfare of all our people. We want to reduce
taxation, and in doing so we lighten your
burdens. It is, after all, the laboring classes
who pay tl<9 taxes. If we reduce taxation we
increas'i your property to that extent. We
can reduce taxation, and if elected we will do
it. Before Republican rule, York county
paid a tax on real estate of. only $2,500 ; now
this county pays a tax on real and personal
estate of about $88,000. When this vast difference
virtually comes out of the pockets of
the laboring people, can you not see how you
are oppressed by your party leaders and those
who have controlled the State government for
the past eight years? If you feel under obligations
to the carpet-baggers and political ad
venturers from other States for your freedom,
you are mistaken in bestowing upon them
your obligations. They did not make you
free.
[In reply to a question from a colored man
which our reporter could not hear]?Democrats
will give preference to Democrats.
Those who help us in this struggle will be
helped in return by us. But as affairs have
gone, and as they are now going, we will all
be so that we cannot help ourselves. Already
are reflecting men looking around them.
They see the devastation of Republican rule
to the prosperity of the country, and with its
continuance despair of further efforts to carry
on business. Governor Perry, of Greenville,
foreseeing the inevitable consequences
of Republican rule, has dismissed his hands?
some thirty in number?declaring his inability
to continue operations if this thing continues.
But he has assured these men, whom
he felt compelled to discharge, that if the
Democratic ticket is elected in this State, he
will employ them again, and will also raise
their wages three dollars per month ; but if
the Democratic ticket is not elected, he cannot
employ them at all.
I do not speak to you as a mere candidate
seeking office. I deprecate the position in
which I am placed. If elected, I shall use
the strictest impartiality in the enforcement
of the laws, and the humblest citizen shall
' .? ? 1 * T
receive equal protection witn tne nignest. x
would not give up the place I hold in the
hearts of those who followed me in war, for
all the emoluments of the office; yet, let every
one understand that in the administration
of the laws, I shall make no distinction. I
recognize the right of the people to call upon
me, and I respond to the call as I did in 1860.
I deprecated the war, but obeyed the call of
my State. Again she calls upon me, and
gives me her spotless banner to carry, under
which men, women, and even the children
hyvtj-raUiedj ap4. J f 1 iilml aLI'M'!! In
carry it to a peaceful victory.
I advise my friends, if martial law is declared,
not to offer any resistance to it. You
can ehange the names of your clubs. You can
even call them Chamberlain Democratic clubs,
if it should be deemed necessary, in order to
meet the requirements of the powers that be.
But in all things obey the laws. And in this
connection I cannot help commending the action
of the Rock Hill Rifle Club, on the reception
of Chamberlain's proclamation. So soon
as that document reached Rock Hill, the members
of the Rifle Club of that town promptly
boxed up all the arms they possessed?an old
flint-lock musket, a broken sabre and a wornout
holster pistol?which were carefully sent
to the Governor, with the compliments of the
Club, who stated that they were all the arms
they possessed, and he was welcome to them.
I hope he has duly received them, and that
he will send them to bis own State?Massachusetts?to
be used in maintaining a free and
iuviolable ballot. But I need not tell you
that private arras are your own individual
property. They belong to you, and you have
the right to retain them. But, as the Governor
demands it, I advise ail Rifle and Sabre Clubs
to disband in compliance with his proclamation.
I have seen, since I have been here, two
companies?made up of little boys?the
"Hampton Boys" and the "Evins Boys."
These, I hope, have no evil intent, and I trust
if Chamberlain should cause the arrest of
other clubs in this county, he will at least
spare the little boys just referred to. ?
But, my friends, already have I trespassed
upon your time and patience. Other speakers
are to follow me, who will entertain you
in a better mauner than I have been able to
do. In conclusion, I beseech all to work for
the triumph of our ticket, so that the sons of
Carolina may once more ad minister your laws,
and that peaceably and quietly the blacks and
whites of our good old State may equally receive
and enjoy the blessings of a fair and
honest government.
CAPT. E. W. MOISE,
of Sumter, the Democratic nominee for Adjutant
and Inspector General, was next introduced.
For the space of one hour he address
*? - - ' i 1
ed inmseit to tne coiorea peopio preaeut, icviewing
the origin and rise of slavery on the
American continent, clearly proving to his
hearers that the present generation is in no
manner responsible for the system of servitude
which has existed in the past, and in a masterly
argument, in which he adduced historical
facts to prove his position, showing to
them that the white people of the South are
now the only friends the colored people have
in the United States. He explained to the
colored people why it is to their interest to
support the Democratic ticket in the present
canvass, and clearly demonstrated to them
that their rights would be perfectly safe under
the'administration of Wade Hampton as
Governor of the State.
When Capt. Moise concluded, the Chairman
announced that as it was growing late in
the afternoon, the meeting would adjourn until
7 o'clock, P. M.
THE MEETING AT NIGHT.
Long before the hour of 7, the vast crowd,
which had been but slightly diminished during
the afternoon recess, commenced wending
their way to the speakers' stand. The ladies,
whose enthusiasm was equal to that of the
men, were early in attendance, and by halfpast
6, the seats provided for them, capable of
seating 800, were filled. The colored people,
upon whose minds the honest words of Wade
Hampton, so earnestly uttered, had evidently
made a deep impression, were also prompt to
attend in considerable numbers, who, with the
white men, representing every section of the
county, swelled the crowd to near the same
proportion that it was at the meeting by daylight.
The park was brightly illnminated, and
from different parts of the grounds a continous
display of fire-works was kept op until the
appointed hour for the speaking to commence.
Promptly at 7 o'clock, the Band struck up'
the inspiriting strains of "Dixie," the favorite
air of President Lincoln, and which he once I
said ought to be captured from the Southern- F
ere. After the music ceased, as a large and
handsome Tilden and Hendricks balloon rose a
majestically upward, the Chairman introduced ?
col. j. h. evins. t
Notwithstanding Col. Evins has spoken at a
several points in the county, the desire of the t
people to hear him again was not in the least t
abated, and as he appeared at the front of the a
stand he was greeted by round after round of I
applause.
He spoke of Governor Chamberlain's re- p
cent proclamation in reference to the Eifle e
Clubs, and said that Chamberlain, not con- s
tent with leading the despoilers of South t
Carolina, is now engaged in slandering her, c
and resorts to the iron hand of military des- p
potism to prop himself in power. Not con- t
tent with the arbitrary order of AttorneyGeneral
Taft, he is now hunting down good t
citizens of this country with the notorious v
Morrill whn in hrnucht from his hiding-place t
to once more do the dirty work of incarcera- c
ting citizens of this State. After enduring, t
for eight years, the worst form of State gov c
ernment, we are now charged with being rebels.
Nothing but our knowledge of war could c
have tied the hands of our people and caused t
them to suffer so long. But our heroic and t
patient endurance of those wrongs is more t
glorious than our former achievements on an \
hundred battle-fields. He did not refer to t
this subject to arouse the feelings of his bear- p
ers, except to stir their manly feelings. We a
come preaching the gospel of peace ; to raise c
onr prostrate State, and to secure peace in all
its borders. How are we to do this? By
driving out those birds of prey and putting c
the government into the hands of her noble 8
sons who have been placed on the Democratic c
ticket. This demonstration that we have wit- g
nessed to-day, and which we witness here to-^4
night, is no mere ebullition. The Bame feeling
animates the entire people of the State, t
who are resolved in their determination to fl
have reform and honest government, adminis- c
tered by men who have a common interest in t
the welfare of every citizen, whether white or e
black, in the State. To the colored people he t
would say that if Hampton is elected, we will _
have peace. In every Southern State, where [
the Democrats have control, prosperity reigns. t
Where the carpet-baggers have been driven v
out the whites and blacks are coming together. j.
Do you not want the same prosperity ? We
have tried three Radical doctors, and have 8
they cured the terrible evils of the State? fl
There is nothing but ruin ahead of us unless e
we change our course. We present a physi- ^
eian, "Doctor" Hampton, in whom we all ..
have faith. - r
The sneaker then, in scathing terms, re- t
viewed the conduct of carpet bag rulers, whom, t
he said, the moment a pistol is fired in the t
State, fun to Washington for help. And be- a
sides their cowardice und poltroonry, what is ^
the promise of one of these carpet-baggers J
worth in comparison with the promise of Wade t
Hampton, whose simple word is worth more t
than the bond of all the carpet-bag crew in
the State put together ? Chamberlain is now g
making the effort to array the colored and
the white people of the State against each
other. He and his political associates care '
nothing for the distress they bring upon the
colored people, so long as they themselves ,
prosper. He implored his colored hearers to .
cast off* all party shackles, with which they
have been bound, and act like freemen, as
they claim to be. This is no question of politics,
but a question that all can understand? ,
a question of honesty between Hampton and
Chamberlain. You are as much bound to
cast an honest vote as to pay an honest debt. .
In the issues involved in this State canvass, ,
you can vote the Democratic ticket without
changing your Republican principles. Even ,
Charles Francis Adams, a Republican, has accepted
the nomination by the Democratic
party for Governor of Massachusetts; and ,
(IbflmborlaiVi himoulf above
party. w
The speaker then reviewed the legislative |
record of Hon. A. S. Wallce, whom, he said, |
uin alimilH inr^rrA hv Hlfl rflfVird. flTld
UIO UHI1WO ?J ,
also by what he has done since the war. He j
said the Union League brought about the kuklux
troubles, and while the ku-klux was
wrong, so was the Union League wrong.
Wallace, he said, is now trying to stir up the
same feelings that produced the ku-klux
troubles; well knowing that he cannot expect
to succeed in his aspirations any longer than
such a state of affairs exists. Wallace was in
Columbia when the scheme of Chamberlain
was concocted. He is in full accord with
Chamberlain. The speaker bad heard of his
going over this county threatening voters with
the terrors of the law by reviving old ku-klux
indictments if they did not vote for him, thus
practicing the worst form of intimidation
known to the law. He told the colored people
they ought to have the same State pride
as the whites, and that it would be to their
interest to vote the same ticket that would
promote the welfare and prosperity of all oor
people. He declared that he is not a candidate
for selfish purposes, but that this is a
contest in which all personal considerations
should be buried. He then closed by making
an eloquent and globing allusion to the ladies,
who by their presence and smiles on this
occasion, were encoiyrcing the men in the
path of duty. .
COL. J* H. jRON,
of Winnsboro, and member of the National
Democratic Executive Committee, was next
i introduced. He said that the last time be
addressed the people of York county, he expressed
himself at a loss to understand the
difference between the two parties of this
State, as now constituted. He has, however,
since found out the difference, having learned
it from a colored speaker in Sumter, who
wanted to buy a possum dog. Approaching
another colored man, he said?"Sam, I hear
you have some poppies." "Yes," said Sam,
"I have five fine Chamberlain puppies."
j "Well, save me one," said the man in quest
! of the puppy, and a few days afterwards he
| called to get it, when Sam informed turn that 1
they were no longer Chamberlain puppies, ^
but were Hampton puppies. "How is that ?" i
! asked the purchaser. "Because," said Sam, |
"their eyes are opened ; now they cftn see." J
So it is with all the people of this State whose 1
eyes are not blinded by party prejudice and 1
[ passion. All having their eyes open are fol- '
lowing in support of the Hampton ticket, 1
and it is only the blind and those who will
not see facts as they exist, who are following
Chamberlain. 1
The speaker said he had also found a dif- !
ference between the platforms of the two parties,
which difference consists of one little j
sentence, but yet shows the cloven foot of the
Republican party as regards their professions (
of friendship for the laboring man. The Re- 1
publican party pledges itself to repeal the 1
agricultural lien law. In case of the repeal
of this law, what is to become of the small *
farmer who has a small tract of land, worth 1
one thousand dollars, and protected from ex- ?
ecution by the homestead exemption? If 1
fViio law Jo rAnfiftlp.d. and the small farmer's [
property is exempt from execution for debts,
bow can he obtain credit for the supplies absolutely
necessary in producing his coming
crop? And in addition to this, moDey here
is hard to obtain at 1 and 14 per cent, per
month ; while in New York it commands but
6 per cent, per annum. The repeal of the
agricultural lien law, so strenuously recommended
by the Republican platform, means
the ruin of every small farmer in the State.
The speaker cited another difference be- *
' tween the platforms. One party, he said,
! promises to reform itself, while the other does \
' not. The Democratic party having always i
been honest, has no occasion to promise to re- 1
form itself, and he doubted whether the Re- ?
publican party could carry out so gigantic a <
promise as to reform itself. They may re- 1
form their party," but they cannot reform i
themselves." But, he contended, they have <
made so many promises that the Democrats t
are afraid to trust them any longer. i
He next spoke of the present mode of dis-! ?
Jjrihming^he public sohd^l fund, and said the t
r ? __.???
)emooratic party promise to properly ap*
>ly and honestly expend it.
He next discussed the question of slavery
,nd the attitude of the United States Confess
on that question in 1861, arguing that
he question of slavery was not involved in
he prosecution of the war by the Federal
uthorities, and that while the best men of
he Northern array were Democrats, many of
he most distinguished Generals in the Union
rmy are now supporters of the National
)emocratio ticket
The impossibility of depriving the colored
teople of the rights and privileges they now
njoy as citizens, was next discussed, the
peaker taking the ground that while such acion
would be inconsistent with the promises
if the Democratic party, it would also be iratolitic,
as it would decrease the representaion
of the Southern States in Congress.
The speaker then alluded to the action of
he Republican leaders in the Southern States,
rhose only policy is to create discord be
ween tbe raoes, that they may grainy meir
iwn selfish ends?doing everything they can
o impoverish this land in order to fill their
arpet-bags.
.Col. Rion concluded by exhorting his coined
hearers to seriously ponder the quesions
involved in this canvass, and in casting
heir ballots, not to be controlled by the par*
y lash of their leaders, but te cast their
rotes for the men and measures best calculaed
to promote the true interests of all the
>eople of the State. When he took his seat,
ind after the music ceased, loud and repeated
alls were made for
hampton! hampton! I
The magic name brought forth cheer after
heer, which swelled to a loud hbzzah, and for
everal minutes after he appeared on the front
if the stand, he was greeted with a tremendous
hout of applause, such as never before reverlerated
the hills of York.
The gallant chieftain was so overcome oy
his warm and earnest demonstration of love
md esteem, that he conld only say the present
ccasion nearer approached a grand holiday
han any he ever yet witnessed; and whatever
lse the people of York can do, he felt certain
hey.could huzzah louder and longer than the
>eople of any other portion of the State where
te bad yet been. Another thing in regard to
bis grand demonstration was the fact that it
ras the only night meeting to which he has
teen where so many of our glorious women
lave turned out. This augurs well for the
access of the cause on which they smile, and
0 they were aware of the influence they wieldd,
he knew they would exert it in the right
lirection. When there was gloom and destondency
all over the coantry, he had one
kith that has never forsaken him ; he knew
hat if onr State called her sons to help her,
he fair daughters of the l^pd would invoke
he spirit of 76; and even if the men became
ipathetic the women would never fail, and
rnuld be true so long as there was a spark of
ife left to us. On account of the lateness of
he hour and the fatigue which he had lately
indergone?having spoken the night previons
it Bock Hill?Gen. Hampton excused hiraelf
from saying more.
CAPT. MOISE
pas called again, and in deference to the
pishes of the people, came forward. Severl1
calls were made by the colored people for
lim to address them, which he did by reviewog
the public acts of the Republican leaders,
lommencing with Governor Chamberlain and
sxposing bis connection with the Land Comnission
swindle. He charged that Cbamberain
was mainly instrumental in the election
>f Moses as Governor of the State, and though
>ince that time he bad made many fair promses
to the people, had he ever redeemed tnem ?
3e then referred to the recent proclamation
>f Governor Chamberlain in reference to the
Etifle Clubs, contrasting that with his associaion
witb the ciyflMBummer, when riding
it their head ii^^^^^Kof Charleston and
leatowing upo^^^^^HTghest eulogism he
ioutdc??t&?ud^H^^Hbrgued to his col>red
hearers thaffBB^^Mgats badnever
)eonj^Mted b^Chamberlain's'admmistfS^
:ioH R
Cardozo, whom he characer^^^^^Hroerlain's
great friend, "Sitlinjp^HHae
spoke of the impeachment
iharge^rnfthad been preferred against Car*
iozo by a Republican Legislature, and asked,
ffhat has he done since to purge himself?
To sileuce his accusers he had to pay bis law-1
pers a sum equivalent to two years of bis sal*
try. If he was innocent, why did he not
ipara^fttf this expense by opening his
loo^^^^Hting them be examined ?
then reviewed Elliott's political
W^Hpaiming to say nothing except
what B^wonld repeat from Republican sources,
and quoting Chamberlain as having delounced
Elliott as the most corrupt man in
;he State. And his own conduct in leaving |
Congress at a salary of $6,000 a year to serve'
n the State Legislature for only $600 per
mnum, is evidence that his motives are corrupt.
Other Republican leaders came in for an
excoriation,/when the speaker closed with an
earnest appeal to his colored hearers to weigh
veil the questions presented before them, asluring
them that in the present condition of
iffairs, their destiny is in tbeir own hands.
I. D. WITHERSPOON, ESQ.,
vas loudly and repeatedly called. Stepping
forward, he said he came in deference
:o the call of his countrymen, to which he
nras always ready to respond. But he would
lot attempt a speech, owing to the lateness of
i t t t i 1 j L
;be hour, ana oesiaes wnicn, u wouia do prelumptioo
in him to follow so many able
ipeakers by whom his hearers bad just been
jntertained.
He expressed much pride and gratification
it the results of the day, and after depicting
;he misrule and bad government with which
;his State has been afflicted for the past eight
{rears, he said that this demonstration shows 1
;hat we come to offer our solemn protest in
luch an emphatic manner that the tyrant and
;he oppressor cannot fail to hear. If they do
lot hear it now, the day is coming when they
ivill. We, however, have now, from the signs
>f the times, the confidence and assurdtace of
:he early approach of that day. Under the
Hampton banner we will get home once
nore, and under the honest administration of
i home government, administered by our own
nen, peace and prosperity will again smile
ippn our proud old State.
He felt that he was enlisted in the cause of
Right, which he would maintain to death, if
lecessary. That we have a cause, and a just
me, is fully evinced by the action of the
iadies, who have graced this occasion by their
presence. As they are our guiding star of
hope in the future, so do they now cheer us
)n in our efforts to drive out radical oppreslion
and misrule that has so long afflicted
;heir people.
He appealed to all to work?to sacrifice
ill other objects?in the determination that
;his country shall be redeemed from the deipoilers'
rule. This can be done if we are
rue to ourselves and true to our honored
lead, and the proud consciousness that we
jave only performed our duty, will be our
ich reward.
Here the Bpeaker bowed himself away, and
vas in the act of taking his s5at, when repeatid
calls were made by the colored men to adIress
a few words to them. Complying with
he request, he again took the stand and adIressed
the colored people at some length,
sonfining himself mainly to an endorsement
>f Gen. Hampton and other nominees on the
State Democratic ticket.
col. Jl. cowabd
iras next repeatedly called. He said the call
vas so flattering as to touch him more than
le had words to adequately acknowledge. He
laid it had been his good fortune to welcome
>ur standard-bearer here to-day, and having
aken part in the first ceremonies of the meetng,
it was with some diffidence that he aoiepted
a part in its closing scenes. He was
xuly gratified at the inspiring enthusiasm
with which this day's performance had been
lignalized?-an enthusiasm which speaks well
o arouse every one to the performance of his
doty. To the ladies, he said, we owe the
greater part of the success of to-day. And
although he was a married man, he bad do
hesitation in saying that much of the inspiration
that guides us in our actions comes from
the women, no matter how mnch they govern
us. And by their noble inspiration on the
present occasion, we will follow the plnme of
Hampton, which will lead us to victory. To
all who have attended this meeting, we, with
General Hampton, return our Unbounded
thanks. He hoped the impressions her* made
would be carried home, and dwelt upon front
day to day, until the 7th of Novembe. when $$
they would lead us all to victory.
To the colored people, who demanded from
him a few words, he congratulated them from
the depths of his heart that tbey had shown
the moral courage to come hereto-day. He
knew the obstacles in their way, bat no]ted
they would yet'send down to posterity a verification
that they have the manhood to exercise
the privileges of freemen. He told them
that issues dear to them were to be tested in
this contest, aq.d he hoped they would have
the spirit to show their manhood. *j?
In conclusion, addressing the whole crowd,
he said he was authorized by the Committee
of Arrangements to thank all for their presence
on tnis occasion, and also to make public
acknowledgment to the Lancaster Cornet
Band for the inspiring muric so sweetly discoursed
by them.
After music, the Chairman, at 11 o'clock,
P. M., announced the meeting adjourned.
Thus ended the largest and most enthusiastic
political gathering ever held in York county
; and notwithstanding the immeose croWd
in-town, from early morotflMs to in the night, not
an accident or disturbance occurred to
mar the proceedings.
THE MEETING AT BOCK HILL.
The meeting at Bock Hill, last Thursday
night, in honor of Wade Hampton, was a
grand success?grand not only in point of
numbers in attendance, but likewise grand in
the elaborate preparations made-by the liber- - 1
al citizens of that town and vicinity, to- give }.
the gallant standard-bearer of Beform a magnificent
reception, worthy of the noble man
and the people's cause, in which he baa soearnestly
enlisted.
Notwithstanding Gen. Hampton's regnlar
appointment to address the people of York
was made for Yorkville on Friday, and that
he conld not be expected to reach Book Hill
from Lancaster, until lata in the afternoon of
lL- ??.c?Inn. tk. Tumn!. nf R/vit Hill
Luo uajr F4D,?,u?, r~rr y ~ ??
and eastern York determined to give him a
reception, which, as we have already intimated,
in regard to numbers and enthusiasm,
proved equal to many of the ovation? of hir
triumphal march in which an entire county
participated.
The stores. and places of tampem-wem
closed, and every citizen of the tow&^ntered
with zeal upon the work of celebrating the
grand occasion. By 12 o'clock die street*
were thronged with m'ounted clubs, who paraded
through the town, while die pavements
were lined with pedestrians, and windows,
balconies and porticos, were filled witb the
fair sax, all animated spectators of the long
procession as it marched out to meet Hampton
and escort bim into town.
At 3 o'clock a special train arrived &6m
Charlotte, having on it the Charlotte jCorioet
"-.j ..J .1-- i/m ?
mars uKa /igvn4 AtktW
DtUlU HUU OUUUV 1VW (lyiBUUS) WMV vwura wvyn,
from the Old Nartb State to witness for themselves
the enthusiasm in which the people of
their sister 8tate have enlisted in the woiffof
j reform. The approach of the train bea S$lm
the excursionists, was the signal for the wildest
enthusiasm. The greetings by the people 2df
the two States were not merely warm and trigs
dial, but they were loud and long. While the
North Carolinians sent up huzzahs for Hampton,
the South Carolinians were equally ex- |S|
travagant in hurrahing for Vance, aud not v-v
a few consolidated the exuberance of their
ladings with1 the uuique sihgau?
j Wade-in and ad- Vance !
L?goon'sftSftbOflival of the excursion traift
from Charlotte, the augneo^^^
ted by arrivals on the up trmnTriJffl frfesSr-^
roany of the citizens of that town, including*
detachment from the Stonewall FireCoragpny,
having come up for the purpose of ^gfftng in
the demonstration ; and at a later ^ur the
Chester8abre Club, (meaning ndt theslightest
mischief, being neither armed nor uniformed)
marched into town, having made the entire
trip on horse-back.
It was near 4 o'clock when Gen. Hampton
reached the suburbs of the town, where he
and his party, accompanied by .the Lancaster
Club, were met by tbe\nounred clubs, and
after awelcomibg address by Mr. J.R. London
the procession, headed by Geo. Hampton,
who was mounted on a white charger, ana
rode on the right of the Marshal, marched up
Main street, halting in front of Gordon's Hotel.
Here the scene was indeed affecting, as
old men and young men pressed- forward to
extend their greeting and shake the veteraA
by the hand; and near half an hour was thus i
consumed before the crowd would make way
to permit him to rlifo.tQ the residence of Col.
R.M. Sims, whoso guest he was to be during
his stay in the town.
At nightfall the grand torch-light procession,
undir command or W, S. May, Chief Marshal,
commenced to form near the residence of
Col. Sims. In the procession were the following
mounted clubs, and perbape others the
names of which we conld not obtain. ; Lancaster,
Chester, Smith's Turnout, Fort Mill, Shiloh,
Rook Hill, (colored), Rock Hill, (white),.
Rook Hill Sabre Club, Chester Sabre Cftub,
India Hook, Ebenezer and Fishing Cre$br
Besides these organizations, the Rock Hill
Rifle Club, and the Stonewall Pire Company,
of Chester, and citizens, marched on foot.
The procession, reaching a mile in length and
containing folly two thousand persons, 800 of
whom were mounted, and accompa nied by the
Charlotte and the Lancaster Cornet Bands;
marched from Col. Sims' residence to the opposite
side of the town, where, in a lane, level
field near the residence of Mr. London, the
! speakers' stand had been erected.
Here, the ladies of Rock . Hill, like their
sisters of Yorkville, gave evidence, if any were
needed, that their sympathies are folly*enlisted
in the cause; and here, as in our-own
town, was the skillful work of their fair hands J
most elaborately displayed. The decorations i
upon and around the stand, wrought in ever- i j
greens and flowers, were simpiymagpiaoem. ;
So fine a floral tribute to the gallant Hampton /
could scarce have been expected in the flowery (
month of May, while each festoon, wreath Or
boquetwas happy in conception and artistie
in arrangement Besides the garlands, profusely
decorating every portion of. the stand,
from the centre roee,a handsome dais, on
which Flora's treasures .were so beautifully
woven and entwined, as to lend to the scene
an air of enchantment On this dais the
gallant Hampton was seated; and after a
round of applause, which his preeenceoxcited,,
the Ch'airman, J. M. Ivy, Esq., called. the
meeting to order, add in few felicitous remarks,
introduced Gen. Hampton, whospoke
for one hour, in the earnest, impressive manner,
which has distinguished all His speeches
of the campaign. Gen. Hampton was followed
by Capt Mbise, of Sumter, Col F. W.
McMaster, of Columbia, Col. J. I). Wylie,
of Lanoaster, and Col. Wm. Johnteon, of
Charlotte, all of wltom mado stirring addresses.
Before Gen. Hampton concluded, rain com
1 menced falling, and at the oonctnston or nis
speech the ad visibility of adjourning the
meeting was suggested, hut to this the Crowd
would not listen, expressing their perfect
willingness to remain, despite the inclement
weather, and so they did until after 11 o'clock,
when the meeting was adjourned.
The crowd, generally estimated at three
thousand, is said to bare been the largest
gathering ever bef ore assembled atRock Hill,
most good oSer. fheonly censurable act in
connection with flie meeting was perpetrated
on the previous eight, by vandal hands, who
destroyed the flagii and other decorations that
had been placed upon the stand, and also cut
doWn the United States flag which had been
?."--I^ ; ^