Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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V?T.TTTYTE VT -TOMBER 844] CHARLESTON, S. C., SATURDAY MORNING, MAY 2, 1868. [EIGHTEEN CENTS A WEEK v v> wm ii? ? ? - v -- 2OTP9. iUR THE CAMPAIGN GREAT INDUCEMENTS T9 CLUBS. The importance of the great pohtieal con? test upon which we have now fairly entered renders the dissemination among the people of sound political views and accurate and ear? ly information of the progress and incidents of the canvass, a matter of peculiar interest and ?expediency. Every individual who has any -stake in the welfare of these Southern Bt'ates, should give an active, personal and un fragging support to the candidates of the ?National Democracy-SEYMOUR and BLAIB. ? ?triumph of th? Radicals win result in the litter desolation and ruin of the South, and the placing of an ignorant and brutal race in . all positions and places of honor and trust, to ": ~.ioe excromon of the white race. The govern? ment must he wrested from the thieves and plunderers who now have control of it, and power'placed in the hands'of a party pledged io give peace to a distracted country, and zo make it a government for. white mon, and not Sot negroes. It is- only necessary that the peo re pie should-fee thoroughryimformed -to accom? plish this, aod TIDE SEWS will bo an admirablo means cf diffus in g this information. In order to place the paper within the reach of al 1, we . have adopted a scale of reduced rates of sub? scription for the. four months covering the Presidential canvass, and offer besides peculiar indncmients for the formation of clubs. We are determined that THE NEWS shall be the cheapest and best newspaper in the South Its blows w?l fall thickly, steadily and rapidly and if the friends of law, order and the Con s?tution do their duty by extending its circa latioo, its labors can be made powerfully effec? tive for good. We appeal, then, to our readers to examine our remarkably low terms, and go to work with a will to get np large clubs for THE CHABLESTOK NEWS. , HATES FOB TBS CAMPAIGN HEWS. " Daily News (four months).i. .$2 00 Tri-Weekly News (fourmonths). 1 00 CLUB BATES. Fivo copies Dairy News, four months, to one addresB...$8 50 :?Five ?mies Tri-Weekly News, four months, to one address..4 25 Ten copies Daily News, four months, to _ one address.15 00 Tea copies Tri-Weekly News, four months, ja jj sto.flW address.. 7 50 One copy of THE NEWS free to avery person who sends a club of ten subscribers at these rates. The caah must in all cases accompany the order. These prices should secure fer THE NEWS a vaet circulation, which would result in a cor? responding benefit io the Democratic cause, May we not confidently aak the kind offices of enr friends in this behalf? Remittances can be made hy money order at our risk, and all le tiers should be addressed to RIORDAN, DAWSON ?? CO., Charleston, 8. C. BY TELEGRAPH. Letter from Governor Seymour-He ac? cepta OUT Democratic Nomination NEW YOEE, August 5.-The Hon. Horatio Seymour has written a letter formally accept? ing the nomination by the Democratic Con? vention. -He says that it was unsought and nnexpected, hut be waa caught up by an over? whelming tide, which is now hearing the coun? try on to a great political change, and he finds himself unable to resist its pressure. The resolutions-adopted by the Convention accord with his .'views. He had delayed a formal ac? ceptance of the nomination until the adjourn? ment . of Congress, for the purpose of seeing what light the action of Congress would throw ripon the interests of the country. The Con? gressional party has not only allied itself with the military power, which is to ba brought to ' oear directly upon the elections in many of the State s,but holds itself in perpetual session with the avowed purpose of making such laws as it shall see fit, in view of the election.soon to take place. Never before has Congress taken a menacing attitude towards elections. Under r the influence of Congress some of the States are proposing to deprive the people of the right to vote for Presidential electors. There? by tho "first hold step bas been taken to des? troy the right of suffrage. He refers to the never-ending demands of the tax-gatherers, and says that the men who were admitted as representatives of some of the Southern State?, ami who, with declarations upon their hps that they cannot live in the States they claim to represent without military protection, owe their seats to the disorders at the South, and that very fact prompts them to keep it in a state of anarchy. In vain have the wisest Republicans protested against this policy. There is hardly an able man who helped to build up the Republican organization who has not within these past three years warned it against these excesses, while many have, from the same cause, been driven from their ranks. Personally, the Presidential office had no at? tractions for him. During the war he had given 16,000 commissions to officers of the the army, a nd he knew that they now demanded the Union for which they fought. The largest meeting of these gallant soldiers ever held had endorsed the action of the Convention, and he .did not doubt a triumph which will bring back peace and prosperity to our land, and give onoe more the blessings of a wise, economical and honest government. Ow Washington Dispatches. WASHINGTON, August 5.-Further advices from Kentucky fully confirm the magnitude of the victory by which the Democrats have elect? ed Stevenson to the gubernatorial chair. Even the Republican papers concede that his major? ity will exceed 60,000. The result of a Democratic conference held yesterday in New York City indicates that Hoffman will be nominated as the Democratic candidate for Governor. General Grant nae recommended the remis, sion of the remainder of the sentences and the release from imprisonment of all persons now in confinement under sentences of military com? missions, organized under the reconstruction acts in the States, in which said acts have ceased to be operative. The following ia a well authenticated Cabinet scene ; Browning led off declairing himself for Seymour and Blair, and concluding his re? marks with the assertion that there should be harmony in the Cabinet Welles and Mccul? loch followed, somewhat in the same strain, urging immediate changes in the Cabinet, un? less Seward, Evarts. Randall and Schofield, who are absent act in accord with the Presi? dent._ The Southern State Governments. MONTGOMERY (Ala,), AnguBt 5.-The Senate has passed, with one dissenting vote, a bill re? moving all political disabilities. The condition of Bach removal is that the applicant shall merely file an application with the Probate Judge. No oath is required. ATLANTA, August 5.-A resolution has been offered in thc Honee of Representatives, that all persons holding municipal offices in the State, by virtue of any military commission, be removed, and all the offices thus vacated be resumed bj those removed, who' shall be re? quired to act in their respective capacities un? til the time for holding elections. The bill to in corp n'a te the Georgia Air Line Railro ad has been made the special order for next Monday. TALLAHASSEE, (FLA:,) August 5.-The Legis? lature to-day passed a bill, authorizing the Governor to appoint a secret police through? out the State, whose numbers and pay shall be left to bis discretion. Crop Report?. SAVANXAB, August 5_Accounts of the crop in Middle Georgia represent the plant as very small but healthy. Unless it rose rapidly not more than half the cotton that was made last season will be realized. Accounts from Florida state that the worm is on the increase, especially among se a island cottons. The rains, also, in many places, hwe caused the fruit to shed. FROM THE STATE CAPITAL, THE PROCEEDINGS OF YESTERDAY TN THE LEGIS? LATURE-THE BILL TO AMEND THE CHARTES OF THE GDI OF CHARLESTON. [SPECIAL TELE?RAM TO TBE DATLV NEWS.] COLUMBIA, August 5.-The Committee of Ways and Means have reported favorably on the petition of Mrs. Georgiana Heyward, pray? ing the remission of a double tax. McKinlay, of Orangeburg, ottered an amendment, which DeLarge opposed, bini ti rig the relief to six months.. It was. finally adopted as amended; yeas, 55; nays, 40. Majority land minority reports were submit? ted on the homestead law; the former makes it prospective and the latter retrospective. Favorable reports were presented on p?ti? tions from several individuals, praying the re? moval of disabilities. . Sasportas offered a resolution removing the stenographer. He said he did not believe in employing a man to make political capital for bis opponents. The resolution was voted down. Mr. Stewart (Democrat) ottered a petition, praying for a Recorder at York ville; but on motion of Neagle it was tabled. The bill amending the charter ot Charleston was passed to its third reading. The following is a copy of the bill : A BILL to alter and amend an act entitled an "An act to alter and amend the charter of the City of Charleston, and for other pur? poses therein mentioned." pissed on the twenty-first day of December, in the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred anrl thirty-six, and for other pnrposoe therein mentioned. Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the State of South Caroli? na, now met and sitting in General Assembly, and by the authority of the same : SECTION L That section 8 of an act entitled "An act to alter and amend the charter of the City of Charleston, and for other purposes therein mentioned," which requires a public notice of any proposed amendment or altera? tion of the charter or laws of said city to be Snblished in some gazette of the city for thirty ays previous to the Implication for such amendment or alteration, be, and the same is hereby, repealed. SEC. 2. That his Excellency the Governor shall, on or immedia.ely after the passage of this act, order an ? election to be held within thirty days in the City of Charleston, for the purpose of edee ting the chartered officers for laid city. SEC. 3. In order to secure the free expres? sion of all the qualified voters of said city, the JO vern or shall appoint three managers of elec? ci?n for each ward or polling precinct, whose luty it shall be lo receive the ballots of all matified voters. Said managers shall have the rawer to examine all persons olmring to rote as to their qualifications, together with roch witnesses as they may deem neces lary, ander oath. Said managers shall pre? serve order at the polls, and may cause the ar? rest of any person who shall attempt to dis? turb the peace. They, the said managers, inuU, before entering upon the duties of their jffic 3, take and subscribe to the oath prescribed n i the constitution, before a Justice of the Peace or other officer authorized to administer ;hr. cann. SEC. 4. Alter the polls shall have been clos :d, the managers of electi >n shall proceed to iount all the votes cast, and shall certify the jame under oath, stating the whole number of rotes cast for each candidate or person voted br, and shall transmit their report of the jame in a sealed envelope to the acting Mayor jf the city wherein they have been appointed, Dn the day following such election the said Uavor shall open the report of said managers, md shall announce and publish the whole lumber of voles cast, and the whole number :ast for each candidate, when the several can? didates receiving the largest number of votes tor the offices for which they were voted for shall be declared duly elected. BEC. 5. The registration lists used in the Dit y of Charleston at the late elections shall ie revised by the managers of election, v' ?n ippointed, in accordance with the presente- -u 3tit ution of the State and the provisions of this tot; and said liste shall, by the said mana? gers, be opened for the registration of all quali ied voters for three days next preceding the Section. SEC. 6. .The requisite qualifications of an ?lector shall be those required by the consum? ion, together with a residence for ten days ?ext pre ceding'the election within the incorpo? rate limits of the city, and that he has been Inly registered in the ward or precinct in vhich he offers to vote. SEC. 7. In all elections held in accordance nth this act the polls shall be opened at six ?'clock A. M., and kept open during two days it aU the usual polling precincts in the various -vards, and shall close at six o'clock P. M. SEC. 8. The o airers elected by virtue of this ict shall, on taking the oath prescribed in the institution, be inducted into office on the donday succeeding their election, and shall inmediately enter upon the discharge of their ifficial duties. SEC. 9. Said officers shall hold their offices np o the regular time fixed by charter tor the diction of the same and for one full term thcre ifter, and until their successors are duly elect id and qualified. The oath of office may be idministered by any judicial officer of the State. SEC. 10. It shall be the duty of the first tfayor elected under.this act to appoint a sui ta? ila and competent person to revise the ordi ?ances of the City of Charleston, and all the icts of the General Assembly in relation .hereto, in accordance with the new constitu lion, and at the same time to expunge all ivoras found therein creating distinction among ;he citizens thereof on account of race, color, jr previous condition. SEC. ll. The managers of election shall, after they have counted the ballots, return the same to the ballot-boxes, and shall seal up said boxes securely and retain them in their possession. In case the election of any person shall be con? tested, then the Board of Aldermen, when or? ganized, shall take from the managers of elec? tion the ballot-boxes, proceed to count the bal? lots for each of the contestants, and shall award the election to the one receiving the highest number of legal votes. SEC. 12. The managers of election shall re? ceive, os compensation for their servioes, the ram of three dollars per day for the tame ai nally employed in such election. SEC. 13. in all future elections, after t first herein provided for, the managers sh be appointed by the Mayor at k?st ten da prior to the holding of the election. SEC. 14. AU statutes providing against il gal voting, or the bribery and intimidate of voters, passed heretofore, and not i neons' tent with the present constitution, are co tinned in full force; but all acts or parts of ac inconsistent therewith or supplied by this a< are hereby repealed. SEO. 15. At all elections held under tl act it shall be the duty of the Mayor, or pe son so acting, to order all bar-rooms or pub. drinking places within the limits of the ci to be closed from B?X o'clock of the evenii preceding to sunrise of the day following sa days of election. All violations of said ord shall be punishable with a fine of not less thi fifty dollars, or imprisonment for not less th? three months. Tomliuson moved that the election be limi ed to one day. Eansier moved that each waj be constituted a polling precinct, and Counc was authorized to employ persons to revii the ordinances and expunge all distinctioi occurring because of race and color. The bill was passed declaring vacant t State, county and municipal offices, exce] such as are filled by the elections of April ali June, and any case of refusal to surrender tl office, books, records, &c, to be considered misdemeanor, punishable by fine and imprisoi ment. ? bill was passed allowing holders of trtl< issued by the Tax Commissioners to be recon ed in the same office of the Registrar of tr Mesne Conveyance. There are twenty-tv hundred of these land titles in Beaufort alone In the Senate a bill of incorporation for th Wando Company was passed. Nash gave notice of a bill to define the law i contracts for hire. The bill incorporating the Educational Soc ety of Columbia was engrossed. The bill authorizing a loan to be negotiate by the Governor of $125,000 was passed-yet 16, nays 5. A bill for the preservation of the State Cap toi was passed. Also, the bill for the accommodation of th Legislature. It authorizes the Governor t fit up the Colley o Chapel for the regular set edon. The bill establishing a State police force n ceived its first reading. A joint resolutio was adopted appointing a committee to invet tigate the recent fracas. The Committee oi Railroads reported a resolution appointin three persons to represent the. State in th Spartanburg Railroad. FURTHER BY MAIL. [FBOM OJBOWN M PORTER. J . COLUMBIA, August 4.-A few minutes afte high noon. The Legislature has-been in sec sion little more than an hour; the current br siness, consisting of reports from committee! memorials, claims, resolutions, and notices c bills yet to be, has been disposed of; the Speai er's table is cleared of work; the calendar i swept, and an audible pause announces tha the House of Representatives, in this the moe .pleasing exigency of our State, baa ? no thin to do. Somebody suggests a recess for half a hour. Happy thought ! The members go on to stretch their legs and moisten their wind pipes, the crowd of spectators disappear to th lower House to level their eye-bat lerieB there fo awhile, and the Speaker adjourns to his private qparfmaat to enjoy bis sandwich and cofiao. By'and by they stroll back; the House is called to order; a committee makes a brief re? port, and there is another halt. The mem hers look at each other for a while, and at lasl Tomlinson, a sharp, springy black-eyed, broad browed little round man who represents Charleston and Philadelphia, rises, fan in hand, and moves an adjournment. Jenka, who is par excellence the fat membei of the body, opposes the motion, and, with in? dignant, virtue, suggests that a recess until four o'clock would be far more consistent with the duty which everybody owes to his constitu? ents. . In this proposition Whipper smells a very loud rat, and determines to set a trap for the obnoxious little beast, which he finally cap? tures. Je ni s, with that lazy plaintiveness which cnn only emanate from one who is a martyr to two hundred and fifty pounds avor dnpois, confesses his* object in wishing a re? cess to be the consideration of a bill, wb>h will not be ready until later in the day, and which particularly affects the City of Charles? ton. He says the old town is in a chaotic con? dition-can't everybody see it by reading the newspapers -don't everybody know that the city government ie entirely unsettled, and, therefore, demands of the Legislature that it shall take a recess until four o'clock for the purpose of hearing tho report of the Commit? tee on Incorporations, which, between you and me, reader, is expected by Jenks to mean just this: "Pillsbury's me man." Whipper attacks the impatient fat gentleman, howe foot and dragoons. Don't the member know that the whole country is in just the same condition as Charleston? Don't all the rep? resentatives on the floor ask relief for their re? spective localities with os much pertinacity as the amiable man from Charleston ? Wasn't it the duty of tne committees to be just and im? partial, to consider what they ought to do without unseemly haste, and to make then reports even at the risk of disturbing the equanimity of the sensitive, zealous, calculating and interested member from the " City by the Sea ?" Was there any reason why the House should come back at four o'clock to do that which could be as well done to-morrow ? Whipper now goes off at a tangent. He says the committees have not sufficient time in which to prepare work for the House; remarks that many of the members being inexperienc? ed, require opportunity to make investigations, and confesses that the Legislature is, there? fore, ahead of the committees, and will remain BO unleBs it takes upon itself the solution of the knotty questions which necessarily come before those specially selected to consider them. He therefore moves that the rule of tho House be amended so as to make the future hour of meeting twelve o'clock M., instead of eleven. This brings out Bozeman, who strongly op? poses any such innovation. Bozeman is a good talker. He has not only a fine voice, but uses it grammatically and to the point. He is a colored man with a strong infusion of white blood in his veins, and is a fine type of the most cultivated individuals of his race. A graduate of a medical college, and for several years a physician, he has mixed sufficiently with the world to be able to rise above the prejudices of the hour and avoid extremes. I therefore write him down as a moderate Re? publican, to whose prudential advice a very considerable portion of the colored men of the State will one day yield. Bozeman, however, failed to carry his point in the present tance. Whipper badgered him until he backed down, and then the mo? tion to amend the rules prevailed. During thia discussion, which waa continued more to kill time than anything else, Rangier doctored np the following resolution : Resolved, That the Committee on Military Affaire be instructed to inquire into the ex eidiency of organizing a battalion of State oops, to be placed on duty as a guard in the State Penitentiary, subject to the control of j the Governor of the State. The resolution was agreed to, and the House then adjourned. Such is a history of one day in the South Caro - lina Legislature under the nevy regime. The Tax bill is now in course of preparation. I can ascertain nothing concerning its details, such is the secrecy with which it is being pre? pared, but can state generally that it is based on the idea that all property must be taxed ac? cording to its actual value. Its friends claim tha'j it will relieve Charleston of its load, while at the same time it will provoke antagonism from large landholders, who cannot afford to cultivate the whole of their extensive tracts. The bill is being prepared by outsiders. Penn? sylvania, Ohio, New York, Massachusetts, and one or two other States, all have their hand in the pie, but South Carolina will represent it on the floor. Provision will be made, I under? stand, for enforcing the payment of the poll tax imposed on the freedmen, so that they will be compelled to pay their ehare for the privileges they enjoy. Governor Scott has received notice that $25,000 have been deposited to his credit in the office of the United States Treasurer at Charles? ton as part of the educational fund. It will be expended in building school houses, and will be that much saved in taxation to the people. It is intended to use a portion of this sum at once to build a school house in Greenville. Doubtless other districts will come in for their share. -The cost of school cooees-th at will-ac? commodate from one hundred to throe hun? dred pupils ranges from $900 to $1500. I hear that J. H. Jenks will he the Republi? can candidate for Congress in the place of C. C. Bowen. The State Central Committee is to be chosen in a few days. The Circuit Judges will be elected within the next fortnight. Among the. names favorably mentioned are Judges Munro, Dawkins and Wilhams. PERSONNE. DEMOCRATIC MEETING NEAR Boss'STATION, SOUTH CAROLINA RAILROAD.-In pursuance of a call, a large majority of the whites of this vicinity assembled at the Old Muster Ground (Middle Box), and, on motion, Dr. T. J. Harley was called to the chair, and T. H. Mime re? quested to act as secretary pro tem. Dr. Harley said the object of the meeting was to form a Club. The roll was opened by the secretary, and after numbering thirty-seven names, the chairman appointed a committee to draft resolutions for the consideration of the meeting, of which John Bowman was appointed ?chairman. A short time expired, when the committee reported as follows: Whereat, We hail with joy the deep feeling which our friends North express in our deliv? erance from Radical misrule, and believing our safety and the peace and proiperity of our country depend upon the success of the Demo? cratic party; therefore, Resolved, That we form a Gut to be called " The Democratic Club of Rosa' Station." Besoloed, That we endorse with satisfaction, the platform, and heartily approte of the nomi? nations of the late National Democratic Con? vention. Resolved, That we will do our atmost for the promotion of the party, pledging ourselves to poll our votes for Horatio Seymour for Presi? dent, and Francis P. Blair for Tioe-President. Rejoiced, That we affiliate with other Clubs of our County and State. The Club being thus .organized, the chair appointed a committee of the eldest members to nominate permanent officers, which resulted aa follows: Dr. J. B. WIGGINS, President. G. W. FABIAN, Treasurer. J. F. GRAY, Secretary. After sending forth a general invitation to all classes and colors, the meeting adjourned to meet the following Saturday. T. H. MIM8, Secretary pro tem. Near Roas' Station, July 26. DEMOCRATIC MEETING IN WILUAMBR?RG. A large urn- enthusiastic meeting of the citi? zens ot ?Williamsburg District was held in the courthouse at Kingatree on the Sd instant, lc was the largest assembly of citizens that have met together since the war, and was composed of gentlemen from all parts of the district. Hon. James McCutchen waa called to the chair, and R. C. Logan requested to act as secretary. The chairman, in bis usual clear and forcible manner, explained the object, of the meeting, after which, on motion of Col. John G. Preasley, a committee of Ave, consist? ing of Col. John G. Presaley, Col. S. T. Cooper, W. C. Barr, Esq., Dr. S. D. M. Byrd, and T. M. Keele, Esq., were appointed io prepare and submit to the meeting resolutions for ita con? sideration and adoption. While the committee waa preparing the resolutions tho meeting waa addressed by W. L. Lee, Esq., C. W. Wolfe, Esq., and Mr. H. A. Fripp, urging the people to organize and work to eecurc the election cf the Democratic nominees for President and Vice-Preaident of the United States. The committee submitted the following re? solutions, which were unanimously adopted: Resolved, That the Democratic party of Williamsburg District do heartily endorse the nomination of Horatio Seymour for President, and Francis P. Blair, Jr., for Yice-President of the United States. Resolved, That we fully approve of the plat? form of principles adopted 'by the National Democratic Convention at its late session in New York. Resolved, That we pledge ourselves to use our utmost endeavors to seoure the election of the nominees and the triumph of the Demo? cratic party in the coming election. Resolved, That in the opinion of this meet? ing the success of the Democracy is the only hope of the country to secure the return of constitutional government and relief from ne? gro rule. After the adoption of the above resolutions, the following gentlemen were elected delegates to the Convention to meet in Columbia on the 6th inst.: W. L. Lee, Eaq., Colonel W. H. Cock field and Captain J. E. Scott. Democratic Clubs were formed at each elec? tion precinct in the district. It was resolved that the proceedings of the meeting be furnished the Charleston papers for publication. ' On motion, the meeting was adjourned. JAS. McCUTCHEN, Choiiman. R. C. LOGAN, Secretary. -The Washington correspondent of the New York Times, which has recently become a bit? ter Radical sheet, says : "The last bulletin from Democratic headquarters reports a better state of feeling among the friends of Mr. Sey? mour. There appears to be no substantial rea? son for this, unless it be that the party is measurably recovering from the demoraliza? tion occasioned by the first announcement of the nomination. But cortain it is they are get? ting in better heart, either with or without cause, and are taking activo measures for a vig? orous campaign. They propose to rely less upon tho dissemination of documents, how? ever, than upon the moro effective m?thode of critical canvassing and old fashioned etump THE CAMPAIGN. THE STATE DEMOCRACY AWAKE. GRAND RALLY AT AIKEN. HAMPTON'S SPEECH IN F?LL. .ADDRESSES BY ALDRICH, BUTLER, FINLEY, HILLIARD, YOUMANS AND OTHERS. MANLY LETTER FROM THE HON. JAS. B. CAMPBELL ON NEGRO SUFFRAGE. SPEECHES OF TWO FREEDMEN. INCIDENTS OF THE BARBECUE. ?c. . * ac. 4C. [FROM otra SPECIAL COBBESPONDENT.] AIKEN, S. C., Aug ust L-The good people of Edgefield and Barnwell may pat the me el ves on the back and say, "well done 1" for they have witnessed in the pretty little village of Aiken a Democratic demonstration that wonld have done honor to Charleston or Columbia, and which ie probably the moat enthusiastic and influential political meeting that bas been seen in the country districts since the close of the late unpleasantness. There was eloquence for the thirsty soul and ra nt ton unlimited for the hungry mouth. Barbecue meats and eulo? gies of Seymour and Blair strove for prece? dence, and the vigorous onslaught made by the Edgefield Democracy npon.the good things of the day is a happy omen of the energy with which they will advance their banners in the great fight of November. Every man, woman and child in the District of Edgefield seemed to be upon the ground, and with them were representatives from pic? turesque Augusta, thriving Atlanta, strug? gling Charleston, and negrc-blessed Colum? bia. The neighboring districts sent in their contingents of representative men and grace? ful women. Many travelled gladly thirty and forty miles, attracted by the magic names of Wade Hampton, Aldrich, Wright and Father Ryan. The result was a cheering, swarming, eager and patient crowd, which was determin? ed to show its faith by its works, and prove that it was prepared to go heart and soul into the contest, whose foregone conclusion-if we are true to ourselves-is victory for Seymour and Blair. How the crowds came to the places of meet? ing, no mortal can tell. There were the usual groaning ox-carts, dilapidated buggies and springless wagons. There was the customary straggling regiment of male and female cav? alrymen, both white and colored. There were the well-known varieties of horse, donkey and mule; from the snorting charger to the worn out quadruped whose heaven of much fodder and little work is nigh. But hundreds must still have come afoot or dropped from the clouds, many of the fair sex bearing on their heads knots of blue that would seem to indi? cate a celestial origin, or, at least, a larceny of some convenient cloud. There were old men and young men, young girls and their beaux, old soldiers and "Young America," veteran politicians and beardless boys-the whole form? ing a grand sigln to all who are interested in the future well-being of the country. No one, indeed, would 1 ave thought that our popula? tion was sparse, and our commissioners of im? migration, had they been present, would have felt tempted to suspend then labors. THE STANDS. The stands were erected in a small grove on the edge of the village, one being retained for the white speakers and the other for the color? ed men. They were decorated with United States flags and evergreens, the seats for the la die? being in front of the main stand. A hundred yards or so to the right were the pits, where nos moutons were broiling, filling the air with savory odors. All around the stand were banners and transparencies, some of which were quaintly conceived and bore a telling device. TEE PROCESSION. When the Augusta train arrived, with its cars filled with excursionists, including a num? ber of distinguished gentlemen, and the mem? bers of the Richmond County Georgia Demo? cratic Club, the procession was formed in front of the hotel, the band being at the head. Minute-guns were fired, andas the drums wore beat the procession moved off, the Aiken Dem? ocratic Club being in front. Then the people shouted, the horses pranced, the boys cheered and the ceremonies of the day were about to begin. When the procession reached the stand lt was halted, and the reception committee and (he distinguished guests took the places which had been prepared for them. Upon the stage were General Wade Hampton, Judge Aldrich, the Hon. W. H. Hilliard, and other prominent gentlemen. The ceremonies were opened with prayer by the Rev. Mr. Cornish, and Mr. Finley came forward and spoke as follows: TtT.MAUgfl OF THE HON. WM. P. FINLEY. Fellow Citizens :-lo this eventful crisis of our country's history, it is cheering to know that in every part of our State, and in every Starter of the Union, there is heard the tramp of e phalanx of brave men, who are buckling on their armor in the cause of constitutional liberty, and who are making ready to take an ac? tive part in the contest now pending. I rever? ence the names ci'Pierce, Brooks, Hancock, Val landigham, Hill ard Gordon, wbose names will stand as landmarks upon the hills of fame. God forbid that any of us should pluck a leaf from the laurels which crown their brow, or take away the glory which belongs to them. I am proud that South Carolina claims her place in the picture; that our virtuous mother, the old Palmetto State, stricken and impoverished as she is, can etill point to some of her gallant sons in this galaxy of patriots. Of those who are resolved, come what may, survive or perish, to share her fortunes, pri? mus inter pares-first among his. equale, is one of whom we, as citizens of South Carolina, without any disparagement of others, but con? fining ourselves to our own family circle, may now Bay, as our fathers did of Washing? ton, he is "First in war, first in peace, and firdt in the hearts of his countrymen/' It is he who is now to address us on the questions of the day. Allow me to introduce to you one whom all South Carolinians delight to honor -Gen. Wade Hampton. [Cheers.] SPEECH OF GENERAL HAMPTON. General Hampton then came forward and was received with loud and long continued cheering. He spoke as follows : Ladies and Gentlemen-Ii any one thing can stir ny heart more profoundly than another, it is the' reception which I have met with here and over the whole State. When, after the bitter storm through which we have passed, I come back to my own nativo land, and eoe afrain the mea who stood shoulder to shoulder with me in the fight, and extending to me a welcome while they tell me that they believe that I have striven to do my duty, I feel deeply grateful, as does the tempest tossed mariner who, having escaped shipwreck, enters at last the haven of safety. The endeavor to do my duty was the motile that carried me through the years of & trite that have passed. I believed When the j State called her sons to war it was the duty of every oitizen to respond, and I ana we promptly to the eau. So, likewise, wi the State gave the order to sheath the erwc I 'obeyed the command. I am now fight: for her canse and her interests in pea as I fought for them in war; and, fell? citizens, in my opinion, grave as was I strncgie in which we were then engaged, t terrific as have been the consequences to ns many places, the interests involved in the ct test in which we are now engaged are ev more momentous. I believe that upon i success of the canse depeixis the life or dei of the constitution, and that if TO are sncce fol we can re-establish the government of i constitution and Union. But if we fail, if i Democratic party fails. then; in my opinion, shall see the great republic of Washington down into that grave which has closed over many of its predecessors. I believe that it the duty of every man to strike again fof J altar, fireside and country. Yon have all doubtless heard of the Con vt tien which recently assembled in New Yoi When the South was invited to take part in deliberations, I made np my mind that eve Southern State ought to be represented, fe ing that we ought to meet the Democracy the North face to face, to talk with them, a show that we were earnest and sincere in o Sro tes tat ions. I am glad to say that my exp? itiona were more than fulfilled. We were rr on all Bides and by ali classes with the mc cordial kindness and most generous considei tion. They all welcomed ns back, enjourag ns with the highest hopes, and assured ns ti they would stand by ns, and that they intend to secure the victory. Not only were we so u by the delegates, in the Democratic Convenue bat also by the members of another Conve rion, who, if any distinction can - be ma where every welcome was so warm, met even more cordially than the others. Tl Convention waa composed of men who h fought ns for fonr years, and had met ns more than one hundred bloody fields. Th came to ns not as enemies, bat as friends; ai extending to ns the hand of friendship, th said: "Yon were fighting for your States as ' were fighting for our States. Yon believ that you were right aa we believed that.we we right. We fought only for the Union and Cc stitntion, and now. believing that our en are gained, we wish once more, sta ing by the altars of our country ai around our conn try's flag, to fight m t cause of the constitu? ion, liberty and free gc emment." They extended to ns the right ha of fellowship ; and I, who yielded to none my devotion to the Lost Cause-I who believ that our cause was right-accepted for mysi and my people that right hand of fellowship the same spirit in which it was offerc [Cheers.] I told them that we were speakii with no double tongue-that when we said w we meant war, and when we said peace i meant peace. [Loud cheers.] This waa the way in which wo were met New York ; and when ali difficulties were kin ly Bmootned away, we had but to co snit together and determine upon tl principles and platform on which we all mig stand and work together with unity of purpo and feeling. As yon probably know one del gate from each State was appointed to form committee for preparing the platform. Wh< [ we-for I had tua honor to be one of that coi mittee-met and entered upon the discussio there appeared many points of differenc Though aiming at' the same end, there we : different means that might be chosen. Y discussed the platform one whole night, i i men who had the same Intereste and the san ! cause at heart. We discussed the matters < brethren, and not one harsh word was spoke There were men of the North, of New Englant the West and th e South, and all, without one di senting voice, announced the noble platfon on which we stand. This platform was sui mined to the Convention, and there, too, was adopted without a dissenting voice; an we now call upon you, the whole South, ai the whole Union, to come forward and ratify with the same unanimity with which it wt ratified in New York. [Cheers. J What, gentlemen, is that platform, and wh are those principles? .We declared that tl Reconstruction acts are unconstitutional, rev lutionarv and void. Unconstitutional, beean they subverted the free government und which.we lived, and in this Union, founded c the consent of. the governed, subjected tc States to the power of the bayonet; beean: they stripped the Chief Magistrate of his legi authority, and on important questions had d Srived the Supreme Court of its rightful jori iction, had threatened to strip the court of t its power. When that court, bad decided tbi these acts were unconstitutional, Congress ii terfered, extended its hand, and would not a low the decision to be declared until after tl: Presidential election. We of the Sooth had not done more than \ say that their acts were unconstitutional, bi asked for a decree of the Supreme Court, ai were prepared to submit in good faith, ha the decision been adverse to our cause. Vt declared the reconstruction acts revolution?r, because they revolutionized the governmei of the country, because they had placed tc States under a military despotism, becaui they threatened the subversion of the supren judicial tribunal of the land, and because tl party now in power in Congress intendc through them to retain by force what thc had acquited by franc's. Will not the Radical party which proposes \ seize the government meet us with the bat and bold imposition of charging us with bein revolutionary ? No later than yesterday I sa that the Radical press had denounced me as rebel and revolutionist on account of som? thing I had said. Now I defy them to put dbe finger on one word, or a single place m whic I have said anything that can be so construec I said in Charleston that the plank denount ing the Reconstruction acts as nnconstiti ti on al, revolutionary and void, was (me-whic we had put there; and I say so again. This i not the first instance in history in which party intending to seize the government an overthrow tbe liberties of the people hd charged its opponents with its own designs We arc n^t seeking revolution. We only as for our States, 'he same rights that Massachu Betts enjoys. Wo merely demand the right t regulate our own affairs. We do not seek wai Wo want peace, to buildup our desolate places to restore our altars, to regain our prosperity to bring forth oar energies, and to re-estabhsl upon a firm foundation the republic of ou fathers. That is what we want, and it is onl. that which we aim at. The Radical party charges us with being rev olutionary. They say through their standan bearer, lei us have peace. Now, fellow-citi zens, what land of peace ? There is one kin? of peace which comes from the Godhead it self-the peace which passes all understanding There is another peace where the white-robec angel, after the din of war has ceased, brood: over the smiling land, and declares that all an brethren once more. But there is yet anothe: Seace : The peace which the kite gives to th? ov?, the wolf to the lamb-the peace of death Let the Radical rule be firmly fixed, let then once grasp the reins of government, and tba {n ice of death will prevail forever in this fail and of ours. Not only here will it prevail, bu: from Maine to California, from the Atlantic tc the Gulf. The peace of death-because thal government for which oar fathers fought woulc go down in blood, anarchy and confusion, ano npon its rains would rise tho empire of the despot. It is then in the interest of peace that I speak to yon here. I wish to disabuse the minds of people hore, and of my friends at the North. It was my good fortune when in New York to dine in company with many Federal and a few Confederate officers. Anions: them were some of the moat distinguished Federal Gene? rals-Ewing, Steadman. Grainger and others. After dinner they called on our Southern peo? ple and drew them out in after-dinner speeches. I was called on, and I spoke with the same frankness with which I now speak to my own people. I told them that at the commence? ment of their difficulties there were some of the leading men of my own section who thought that I was lukewarm in the cause, i told them that I believed that there would be a war, and that when it came I intended to do my share of the fighting. I was here inter? rupted by one of the Federal Genera's, who ex cxclaimed in very good humor, " By God ! I think you did do your part." [Cheers.] I said that 1 had gone into the war because I believed that I was light, and I now declare that I waB, in all sincerity, one of the warmest advocates in the interests of peace. I desired it from the bottom of my heart. I wes not speaking with a false or double tongue, but in perfect sincer? ity and frankness. There were the soldiers ! whom I had fought. They said they had rather believe mon who had fought for their country, and who now wero willing to declaro past issues dead, and who were wiihng to stand upon a common platform, than they would tb o men who now professed to be more violen1; than when the war was raging. [A voice. "1 had ? boy who served under you."] YCB, I had many brave men from Barnwell in my commacd, That was one reason why j came oere lo-oay. mere were many o? mem who entered the war with me, and with me sheathed their swords when the war was over. I wanted to see them and thank them and their kinsmen for all that they had done.% I wanted to tell them that the.'r ?Id commander had not forgotten them, and that the ties of battle were as strong as any tie on earth; that I wanted them to be gooft soldiere in the in? terests of peace as they had been pood soldiers in war; that I wanted them to close np their ranks, as they bad often done, and, moving shon) ier to shoulder, press ou to an assured victory. They will listen to me as ?hey always did, for they know that I always recognized merit, whether it was found under the braiueO collar of the officer, or the tattered jacket of the private soldier. They know that I always treated them as brethren-as men having the same interesta as myself-and that I now ad? vise them candidly and in all sincerity. [Cheers.] Fellow-citizens, there are many topics on which I have not touched. I only wished to have a family talk with you, to tha.uk my peo {ile for their kindness, and to adjure them to be rue and firm. . . I want you- now to consider the reconstruc? tion of South Carolina, accomplished by three years of Radical rule. In Columbia you can see what is called the Legislature of South Carolina. When I served m the Legislature, we received three dollars per day, and we tried to finish our work as soon as possible. The distinguished gentlemen who now fill our places find their time so valuable that they can not work for less than six dollars a day, with double mileage, and taking four times as long to do the work. That body, which was ones characterized by wisdom, honor, patriotism, . and all the high virtues, is now only known as ignorance, guided by malignity. I did not know the degradation, my imagina? tion could not depict the bun?liation to which our State could be reduced, u at il I saw Sawyer and the renegade Tom Robertson filling the places once occupied by Calhoun. MrDuffie and Hayne. I did not think that the colored people of the State themselves would do this, nor do I now believe that they would if they had been consulted. ! Look now at the Bench, and see the Beat once dignified by Chief Justice Dunkin now occupied by a man who now turns his back upon the State and the men who through a long series of years have given hun more hon? ors than he deserved. Look at your own fel? low-citizen (Judge aldrich), who would not "'crook the pregnant hinges of the knee that thrift might follow fawning," who retired into private fife rather than obey the orders of a military satrap, whose place was filled by Ze? phaniah Platt; ; and .it is one of the few bright > spots in the operations of reconstruction, that its completion has removed this' creature from office. I can make excuses for the Radicals who only take the votes of the colored people that they may thereby ob? tain both money and place. Li this they are true to their natures and true to their instincts. Like the birds of prey they pounce down upon the carcass that they may satiate their raven? ous greed. But when I think of any South Carolinian, who should have the instincts of a Carolinian, who has drawn his nourishment from the breast of a Carolina mother, who has received at the hands of the State all that she can give, when such a man turns his back upon his State, I cannot find words in which to de- " nounoe him. ' Ob for a tongue to damn the slave, Wr-ose treason, like a deadly blight, Com* i o'er the cona eels of the brave; An', blasts them in their hour of might. His country's curse, his children's shame, Bereft of virtue, peace and fame, Slay he at last, with Ups of flame. On a parched desert thirsting die. And wheu from earth his spirit flies, Just prophet I let the damned One dwell Full in the eight of Paradise, . Beholding Heaven and feeling Hell. [Cheers.] I now want to say a few words to the color? ed people, of whom I am glad to see many here. I believe, and I have told them that, if the interests of the white man ore at stake, theirs are even more in jeopardy.. If the worst comes to the worst, the white man cart gather his household gods and carry bio Bor? row and his suffering to another land. But. before the black man can go away, he must make money enough. Even then there is no Elace in which he would be treated as well as e is here. If he goee to the North or North? west he will be met as an enemy. I assert, and I have before this expressed, my willing? ness to grant more rights to the colored peo ?le than any Northern State has shown a wil ngness to grant in the recent elections. I feel that the interests of the black men and the white men of the South are bound up together. I feel that the black men are Southern men, that we were born upon the same soil, and that we have lived'our past Uves together. I know that as the white man prospers BO will the black man prosper. I know that if the white men become poor and broken down, the black men will share the same fate. The Radicals have made them many promises, but when they bad got what they wanted they al? lowed the colored people to whistle down tho wind and shift for themselves. I tell you that if you are so unfortunate as to draw the hue between the white people of the South and yourselves, you will soon find that you have no friends at all. The white men will bring other white men into tho country who will work cheap? er than the colored man. In a few years they will have occupied every foot of ground where you now dwell. They will be hued to the owners of the land, and gradually, but peace? fully and surely, they will spread over the country, and th? colored man will be driven out, cud will disappear as the Indian has dis? appeared bet?re the onward march of the white man. It is the law of God, and it will be so as sure as there is a God in Heaven. I believe that the colored man can do great good in this country. Wc know him, and he knows UB. We recognize his freedom fully, lt is to our in? terest tbat hi should make good crops and re? ceive good waf?es. Even if we were not ac? tuated by old acquaintance and friendship, our interests would compel us to look after his welfare. And for their welfare, we advise them to help us to drive away the Radicals and scal? awags who ore in our midst. My colored friends, do as was done in Mississippi. There the colored majority was greater in proportion than it is here, but the colored men came to the support of their only friends, swept over the State, and voted down the reconstruction constitution by a majority of 10,000. That is what you will do Lere, although perhaps not now. You will find that Radical promises of forty acres of laod and a mule will come to nothing. They will givo you a piece of land six feet by three feet, enough to bury you in; but yon will get no more except as other peo? ple do, by buying and paying for it. [Cheers.] I desire once more, my friends and fellow citizens, to say that I am glad to be with you, and I desire to ask the fair women whom I seo around me to help us in the coming fight, as they did in the fight now passed, during which they gave up all that they had to assist the sol? diers of their country. Maid, mother and wife devoted all their energies to sustaining the cause in which their fa th eis or sons were en? gaged. But I would prefer to speak of your women now in words which paint their deeds more beautifully than I could hope to do : The moid who binds her warrior's sash, And, smiling, all her pain dissembles, The while beneath tbe drooping lash, One pearly tear-drop bangs and trembles; Thougb Heaven alone records the tear. And fame shall never kne-y her story, Her heart has shed a drop as dear As e'er bedewed the field of glory. The mother who conceals her grief, As to her heart her son she presses. Then breathes a few brave words and brief, Kissing the patriot boy the blesses; With no one but her secret God. To know tbt pain that weighs upon ber, Sheds holy blood as e'er tho tod Received upon the field of honor. The wife who girds her husband's sword, Mid little ones who weep and wonder, Then bravely speaks her parring word, Although bei heart be torn asunder; Doomed nightly, in her dreams to bear The bolts of war around bim rattle, Has shed as sacred blood as e'er. V> as poured upon the field of battle. 9 [Tremendous cheering.] Gentlewomen of South Carolina! I again thank you for all that you hava done, andbeg of you to give ns still your encouragement and help. Tell all your kinsmen to gd ear? nestly into tho lieht. Adjure them by all they bold dear, never lo falter or tire. Remind them that In Carolina, Maryland and Virginia, they were ministered to, as I was, bv the wo? men of the South; and tell them that upo-i the manner inwhnh they do their duty now depends thc future fortunes of their mothers, then: sisters and the whole suffering South. [Concluded on Fourth PJ??.}