Historical Newspapers of South Carolina

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THE DEMOCRATIC TICKET. 1778 1868 For Pr?sident, HORATIO SEYMOUR, OP N. Y. For Vice-President, GEN. F. P. BLAIR, og MISSOURI. COLUMBIA. Wednesday Morning, July 29,1868. State Democratic Convention. A Convention of the Democratic party of tho State of South Carolina is hereby called, to meet at Colum? bia, on the night of Thursday, the 6th of August, for the purpose of nominating electors for President and Vice-President of the United States, and for other purposes. The Convention will bo composed of representatives from each District, according to the rule of representa? tion in the House of Representa? tives. WADE HAMPTON, Chairman Central Committee. DEMOCRATIC DEMONSTRATION. TOUCHES, FIREWORKS, ETC. Speeche? by Eminent Oratora. A MAGNIFICENT SUCCESS. Seymour and Blair Forever. Tho jollification and ratification of the nomination of Seymour and Blair culminated hist night in a magnificent display, tho Uko of which hos never before been witnessed in Columbia. For the past two weeks, the Commit? tees-and, we may say, the citizens generally-have been on the qui vive, and men who know what tho word "work" means, in its full sense, put their shoulders to the wheel, with the earnest determination to make one strong pull for the old, time honored and trusted Democratic party. ) Without disparaging other parties who wero instrumental in getting up the demonstration, we deem it a matter of justice to mention Messrs. A. Palmer, H. Beard, John McKen? zie, Weam & His, M. A. Shelton, John Meighan, J. T. Zealy and W. T. Walter, as being the principals. A programme was decided upon, and the different Ward Committees bestirred themselves. Many of the buildings on the lino of march, of the procession, were brilliantly and tastefully illuminated, and tho pro? cessionists, by their cheering and other demonstrations, showed an evident desire to give credit wher? ever it was justly due. Nickerson's Hotel was beautifully decorated with transparencies, and burning tar barrels, in front of the building, lent additional attractions. Mr. Palmev's Btoro was graced with an immense banner, bearing the inscription, in mammoth letters, "Seymour and Blair," surmounted by a monster flag. . Messrs. Hope advocated "Hope on, Hope over, for Soymour and Blair." Other buildings were decorated, but the "prevailing epidemic" was "Sey? mour and Blair." The incessant ringing of a bell, with a peculiar dinnerish sound, at? tracted attention. It was attached to u vehicle on which was a magnifi? cent transparency-conceived in tho fertilo brain of Mr. Richard Weam, and carried out by the artistic pencil and brush of his partner, Mons. Hix; tho frames, etc., improvised by Messrs. Kirk and Purse. This elie/ d'oeuvre presonted four sides-sur? mounted by a revolving turret. On tho cides wero life-size half-pictures of tho Democratic candidates for President and vice-President-Sey? mour and Blair-flanked by a repre? sen tation of tho "Goddess of Liber? ty," and "Justice," with the scales. On the front "Fourth Ward Demo? cratic Club," with a representation of a corpulent individual proclaim? ing to scallawags and others to clear the track-around which wore ten stars, representing the Southern States. Tho back of the transparen? cy represented two lean and gawky figures, carpet-bags in hand, depart? ing Northward-presumable on the election of Seymour and Blair. The monitor top presented the emblems of the farmer and mechanic-Demo? cratic; radical implement-Butler's spoon; the "South Carolina Treasu? ry," "be sure of your hook before fishing"-tho aforesaid hook having caught in the seat of the unfortu? nate fisherman's pants. The "Temple of Liberty" was not forgotten, and a young Phoenix per? sonated the Goddess, with liberty cap, shield, etc. The local transparencies distributed through the procession were, many of them, unique in design and varied in style. One presented a correct photograph of the "New State House," with a "bar-room" and "cock-pit" on either side. "We aie coming, Father Abraham-86." A very truthful device was "An? drew Johnson, the faithful sentinel on the watch-tower of liberty," with portraits of Washington and Sey? mour, ond a palmetto gracefully in? tertwined. "Native and foreign citizens,, colored and white, aro interested in tho snccoss of the Democratic party." "Democracy moans peace, radi? calism war." "Riohland Democrats, Bestir Yourselves. " "W? work for those who work for us." "We are sure to win." "Seymour and Blair Forever," and many others. The colored Democrats wero out in strong force, bearing banners and transparencies. "The Young De? mocrats" were also on hand-bearing at their head "Young America goes for Seymour and Blair." Tko Phoenix olllce was one of the points of attraction. The face of our building was decorated with garlands and the balcony embellished with a large transparency, bearing the names of Seymour and Blair, and the in? scription, "United we stand-divided wo fall." As the procession arrived in front, it did ns the honor to halt and sainte the Phoenix, when to their surprise thirty-seven of the prettiest young maidens who are doing de? struction amongst the unmarried De? mocracy, appeared on the balcony, dressed in white, with emblems tipi fying the States of tho Union. Si? multaneously a display of pyrotech? nics was made from the door-steps, roof and windows of the house, lend? ing a brilliant light, and revealing in all its dazzling beauty the combined loveliness and witchery of our thirty seven charming friends, who had kindly consented to aid us by their graces in lending beauty and scenic effect to tho auspicious occasion. When the sight struck the eves of tho crowd, such a shout of admiration arose ns has seldom been heard in Columbia, and we feared that we had done more harm than good by this little scenic arrangement, as none of tho members of the procession seem? ed disposed to abandon tho spot. A fine brass band, from North Ca? rolina, was in attendance. Taken all in all, this demonstration was the most successful of any over gotten np in Columbia, and tho very late hour proveuts our doing full justice to tho subject. Arrived nt the hall, tho vast assem? bly quietly took position outside, whilst Gens. Hampton, Kershaw, McGowan and Chesnut, Col. Thomas, Capt. Stanley and others ascended and took seats in tho hall, which was crowded with Columbia's fairest daughters. On motion of Col. Thomas, Capt. Stanley was chosen to preside, and tho organization perfected by the election of the following officers: Vice-Presidents-John McKenzie, J. Meighan, J. G. Gibbes, John Alex? ander; Capts. J. H. Kinsler, W. H. Stnck, E. Percival, Dr. D. W. Ray, Col. H. J. Caughman. Secretaries R. O'Neale, T^J. LaMotte. Capt. Stanley, with drfew pertinent prefa? tory remarks, introduced Gen. Ches? nut, who was the first speaker of the occasion, and who was followed by Gens. S. McGowan, J. B. Kershaw and Wade Hampton. Gen. Wade Hampton, on being introduced, was greeted with im? mense applause. Indeed, it was many minutes before tho audience could bo sufficiently quieted to per? mit him to speak. Ho said he had boped that, after having listened to tho eloquent speakers who precoded him, they would not desire him to address them; not only on that ac? count, but because his voice was weak. There were many present who had frequently heard him address largor crowds, and when very differ? ent kind of noises than peaceful ac? clamations saluted their ears; but to? night, for the first time in his life, his voice had failed him. General Kershaw had referred to tho advance of the cavalry in the campaign of to? night; and he desired to add, that though tho position had been invert? ed, he was glad of it, and felt great confidence after hearing the eloquent remarks of that distinguished Gene? ral, as they made bim feel as secure as in the days of other and more sanguinary campaigns. He always felt safe when he knew Kershaw was on his flank. He preferred to post? pone any oxtonded remarks to-night, os he would have an opportunity at an early day, and desired it to lay before them the history of the New York Convention, and what part was taken ia it by our delegation. [A voice in the orowd-"Never put off for to-morrow what can bo dono to? day."] Gen. Hampton received the interruption with great good humor, and continuing his remarks, said that when tho Southern States were in? vited to take part in the New York Convention, he was dearly of the opinion that they should accept, and should go there and meet the North ern men face to face, and tell them that they had surrendered in good faith; and that when they said they wanted peace, they meant peace, j nat as when they had said war, they had Sroven that they meant war. He be oved, then, we should let them seo we were not all fire-eaters, as many of them believed us to be, but that our arms bad been laid down in good faith, and we desired to unite heartily in the restoration of political and material prosperity. And tho result had proven the correctness of his views. When our delegation arrived in New York, they were received in all quarters and on all sides, in the most hearty manner. Thoy were urged to participate in all the de? liberations of the Convention, and were consulted freely in all matters of moment. The same reception was given them by the members of the Soldiers and Sailors Convention, which was also in session at that time; and suoh of its gallant mem? bers as MoClernand, of Illinois, said gallantly, that they desired to extend tho right hand of fellowship to the men whom they had been fighting, and who had now laid down their arms. To them he had replied, that for himself, his delegation and his people at home, he accepted that hand in good faith. [Cheers.] Now, if we wish to seo the State restored to all its former prosperity, he appealed to tho people to bury all past prejudices and passions in one common grave, and in solid mass, without regard to color, to rally around the standard of the New York Convention. He spoke to the black man as well as the white, for lu; believed as firmly that tho interest? of the two were inseparably bound up in a common cause, as he believed that God ruled over tho destinies of the people. If they attempted tc draw a line of demarcation and ar? ray themselves against the whites, they would be pressed from the soi' and endure the fate of the Indian. To prevent a result like this-ont which he truly deprecated-ho hac been the first man in South Caroline to speak to them and advise them ai to their true policy, and they knev that he would not deceive them, (i colored man-"That's so-God bles; you.") When seven years ago the Stat? had called upou him to servo her ir the field, he had obeyed that man date and cheerfully given all that hi possessed for her defence; and when after tho war, she hade him lay dowi his arms, with equal submission h had obeyed and sheathed a swen which he trusted bore no mark o shame or dishonor. (Cries of na no!) Since then, ho had adjured th people to cultivate the arts of peac and couoiliation, and especially hai he earnestly recommended tho cc lorcd people to live in friendship am good will with those on whom the; would have to dopend, in largo mer sures, for advice and support. Unfortunately, things had taken different turu than that hoped for b tho supporters of truth, justice an the Constitution, and now the spe( tacle presented in the hall, of legis latiou by those who undertake t govern the destinies of the two races was lamentable indeed. As anxiou ns ho was to secure peace aud proi perity, he never could cousent to a tempt it on so false, gross and ou rageons a platform us that of the Bi construction Aots; particularly whe he saw the seats of Hayne, McDuffi and Calhoun in the Senate of tl United States filled by such men ? Sawyer and renegade Tom Rober son. (Hisses and groans for Toi Robertson.) Much rathor would 1 have seen colored men represei South Carolina, as they could do t with moro justifiable pride aud b nesty. He wanted restoration on the bas of truth, harmony and justice, ai he firmly believed wo would have in November, by the triumph of tl Democratic psrty. Ho had been to by no less distinguished a perse than Vallandigham, that Ohio w certain for Seymour, and shrewd p litical thinkers of New York ai Pennsylvania wore equally confide as to tho samo result in those State Tho peoplo were thoroughly arouse and in November the result of it wou be moro rapid traveling of carpe baggers from tho South, than w ever before known in the history this country. He concluded by referring to t demonstration made by the Dem cracy of Charleston, last I?1 rid night; and said that although he h seen many similar displays at t North, ho had never witnessed mc grandeur or enthusiasm than that e hibited by the good people of t old city by the sea, who had turn out-men, women and children give their approving smiles to t noble cause. They bad brong exulting prido to his heart, by tl manifestion of the old Carolina spit They may have boen slow, but th wero sure. Let us stand up wi them, and by the help of God o cause-the cause of tho great Den oratio party-the cause of truth a tho Constitution-would meet witl glorious triumph. (Immense t plauso.] Other and effective and brillie speeches were made, whioh the < treme lateness of the hour comp us to defer publishing. When Gen. Hampton concludi the following letter from the He B. F. Perry, was read: GBBBNYTXJIIE, S. O., Joly 27, 1868. Col. J. P. Thomas, Chairman of . Executive Committee, &c. MY DE AH SIR: I regret deeply that ifc will not be in my power to partioi ?>ate with yon and the people of Co? ombia in your brilliant and enthusi aetio ratification meeting to-morrow evening. I know that it will bo bril? liant, from the preparation you have made, and the distinguished gentle? men who are to address you. I feel assured it will bo enthusiastic, from the well-known Democratic feelings and principles of the peoplo of Co? lumbia. In the selection of Horatio Sey? mour and Frank P. Blair, by the Democratic Convention in New York, as their standard-bearers in this great contest between civil and constitu? tional liberty, on the one side, and military. despotism, on the other, they have shown great wisdom and good judgment. Mr. Seymour is a gentleman of tho highest and purest character, a profound statesman, and a consistent, devoted Democrat throughout his whole life. He it now ia tho prime of his manly intel? lect, with great exp?rience as an ad? ministrative officer, having twice filled, with signal ability, the Execu? tive Department of the great Empire State of this republic. His mind IE highly cultivated and' enriched witl all the stores of learning and practi? cal experience. In debate, he is able and eloquent. His manners ar< those of a polished gentleman, warm cordial and sincere. In personal ap? pearance, he is strikingly prepossess ing and engaging. His manly forn and expressive features are stampec with tho truo nobility of nature. Ii purpose, he is firm and self-reliant As a gallant leader and standard bearer of the great Democratic part^ of these United States, he caunot bi surpassed. He did not seek tin nomination, but it sought him amongst all the distinguished Demo crats who were before the Conven tion. After balloting two or thre days, without success, his name wa presented to the Convention by th great State of Ohio, against hi wishes and remonstrances, and re ceived tho unanimous voto of ever State of this Union on the first ba? lot. The high honor thus tendered he could not refuse, and reluctant! accepted, for tho harmony and sue cess of the Convention and Derne eratic party. General Frank P. Blair is a citize of Missouri, born in Kentucky, au the son of Frank P. Blair, SrM wh was the intimate and bosom frien of General Androw Jacksou, and th editor of his political organ in tb city of Washington. General Bia was a gallant officer in tho Federi army, and fought, throughout \tl war, to preserve tho Union. Whe it closed, his mission was at an enc and, like a brave soldier and true pi triot, ho exerted ali his great infli ence towards an immediate restor tion of the Union, with the rights i the States unimpaired, under tl Federal Constitution. For thn years past, his exertions have be? uuremitted in opposition to all tl tyranny and oppression of the rad cal Government. He has labore manfully, everywhere, and in almo every State of the Union, to crut out military despotism and misrul There is no truer friend of republ eau principles and constitution liberty now living, than Gener Blair. Ho is a man of high chara ter and great ability, with indomit ble courage, self-will nud indepen euee. lu a word, be is a true ty j of the Jackson character and soho in politics, as is shown in his rece letter and past life. He was tl choice of 2,000 of the Federal urn officers, his compeers in arms, convention at Now York, ,durii the sitting of tho Democratic Co vention, and his nomination w unanimously mndo by all tho Stat on the first ballot. This shows t high appreciation of General Bli by the Federal army and the natioi Democracy. When the Southe States were called in Convention nominate a candidate for Vice-Pi sidont, it was a pleasing and gratil ing sight to see such men as Gene: Hampton, General Forrest, Gene Gordon, and other distinguish Confederate Generals, respond? for their respective States in favor Frank P. Blair, whom they had nc on many a bloody field of battle, a fought like brave soldiers. The v was over, aud they now united honoring a bravo and gallant foe. With such men as Horatio Si mour and Frank P. Blair as c standard-bearers, standing on I true, patriotic and sound Democ tio platform, adopted by the N York Convention, wo must, and w be successful in the coming Presid? tial election. This was tho una mons opinion of every member the Convention. The Conneetii delegation said to that of South ? rolina, on leaving Tammany Hi "Set ns down in Connecticut fo Democratic majority of 5,000 c tain." The Ohio delegation pledf that State for a majority of 50,0 New York city alono promises a ] mocrntio majority of 75,000 vol Pennsylvania and Indiana seen confident of giving Seymour t Blair a handsome majority. 1 States of Maryland, New Jers Koutucky, California and Over. are certain beyond all contingen The delegates from Mississippi, A bama, Georgia and Louisiana w confident of carrying those States. There caa be no doubt of Virginia and Texas, if they are allowed to vote. Arkansas and Tennessee are equally oertain, if the elections are conduoted fairly and honestly. There was great confidence expressed, too, on the part of North Carolina. And we will not despair of South Carolina and Florida. There is hope, too, in Maine and Illinois, and several other North-western States. Indeed, it did seem, from all that we heard and could learn in the New York Conven? tion, that tho tyranny, oppression and misrule of the radical party had thoroughly disgusted the thinking and reflecting masses everywhere all over the republic. If there is one feeling in the Ame? rican heart stronger than that of all others, it is a love of constitutional liberty and Bepublican principles. They love the Federal Union in the North, East and West, because tbey sincerely' believe, with Washington, that it is the pallodium of liberty and independence. Il was thin feeling which made them fight for the Union, and the samo feeling will prompt them to drive . the radicals from power and office in the ensuing Pre? sidential election. There is no hope of any change, with the radical lead? ers, but the radical masses are begin? ning to compare the condition of the country, at present, with what it was years ago. They are beginning to feel the iron hand of their party in the enormous taxes which they have to pay, and in the prostration of their commerce and manufactures. No country was ever so happy aud prosperous as theso United States, for tho last thirty or forty years, prior to 18G0, when they were under Democratic rule. The radicals came into power eight years since, by au unfortunate division of the Demo? cratic party, and how changed has been everything since. By their de? termination to make no compromise with the South, a bloody war en? sued, in which 1,000,000 of Ameri? can lives were sacrificed and $3,000, 000,000 or S4,000,000,000 of money madly spent. When the war was over, instead of restoring tho Union, they have kept it disunited, aud ex? cluded all tho Southern States from tho councils of the nation. Th03 have kept up a standing army, it time of peace, at an expense ol $100,000,000, to elevato tho negrc above the white mau. They have in creased the burden of taxation uuti it hos become intolerable. They es tablished the Freedman's Bureau al an expense of many millions, for th< purpose of establishing radical ruh throughout the Southern States They have established a military des potism over teu States, suspend in; the writ of habeas. corpus, and sus pending the civil court, with military commissions for the trial of civil ant orimiual laws. They have usurpe^ tho power of the Executive Depart mont and stripped the President o his most importaut constitution;) prerogatives. They have encroachei on tho rights of the Judiciary, aut manifested a determination to givi Congress all tho powers of all tin other departments of tho Govern mont. Under this system of tyranny am oppression, Usurpation and despot ism, they have destroyed tho prospe rity, tho peace and happiness of tb country, civil liberty, all constitu tional rights and Ropublicau princi pies. They have boldly set th Federal Constitution, which the; were sworn to support, protect ant defend, at defiance; and claim to b acting outside of that sacred charter In order to perpetuate their part; and their tyranny, they have nomi nated for the Presidency the genera commanding their armies. lu ordo to secure the election of this militar; commauder, they have passed an Ac of Congress, authorizing that bod, to refuse tho electoral voto of an Southern State, unless the vote i given for tho radical candidate for th Presidency. Because the presen virtuous and patriotic Chief Magis irate would not uuuoliun their gros and palpable violations of the Fed< ral Constitution, they have impeaci ed him of high crimes and misdc meanors. lu order to prevent th Judiciary from doclnring their ill? gal and unconstitutional legislatio null and void, they have passed law repealing tho hearing of cases befoi tho Supremo Court of tho Unite States. They have expelled men hers from both Houses of Congres simply because they wore opposed t tho majority in politics. They ha\ disfranchised hundreds of thousand of tho most intelligent and patrioti citizens, and enfranchised 700,000 c 800,000 negroes, for the purpose ( placing ten Southern States unde negro rule. Is it surprising that a party whoa history is thus marked with such it famy, oppression and tyranny, shoul be abandoned by a people whose lo v of liberty and Bepublican prino pies is the strongest feeling of thei nature? It would be strange, indeec if the Northern people did not ri? up in tho majesty of their strengt and hurl such State criminals an perjured traitors from offico an power. They will drive them wit soorn and contempt from Congrei and place a mark on them which wi never be effaced. They will bran them as traitors to the Constitutioi traitors to liberty and Bepublica principles, traitors to their race an country. The platform of tho Democratic party, adopted in New York, is a glorious one, embodying tho true principles of the American Govern? ment, as handed down to us from our Revolutionary fathers. It declares immediato' ? restoration of all the States to their rights in the Union, nndor the Constitution. Amnesty for all past political offences, aud tl iv regulation of the elective franchise* in the States by their citizens. Pay? ment of the public debt as stipulated, and in all other cases in lawful money of the United States. Equal taxa? tion of every species of property. One currency for the Government and the people, for the bond-bolder and the laborer. Economy in the administration of the Government, reduotion of the standing army and navy, abolition of tho Freedman's Bureau, and all political instrumen? talities designed to secure negro su? premacy. Reform of abuses ia the Administration, and the expulsion of corrupt men from office.- Equal rights and proteotion for naturalized and native-born citizens, at home and abroad. The platform declares the Reconstruction Acts of Congress to He unscrupulous and unconstitution? al, revolutionary and void. There are two features in this plat? form, which will give victory to the Democratic party throughout the North-west. One is the payment of the bonds in lawful money of the United States, when they do not call for payment in gold or silver. The The other is opposition to universal negro suffrage in the several States, North and South. So strong is pub? lic sentiment throughout the North? western States on these subjects, that tho radical party has to dteguise their principles, and express their senti? ments in language, which might be interpreted one way to the bond? holder and advocate of negro suf? frage, and another way to tho laborer and opponent of negro suffrage. They have declared that the bonds shall be paid according to the spirit and letter of the Act, and that negro suffrage shall exist in the Southern States, but not in the Northern States, unless adopted by them. The New York Convention was harmonious in its action throughout its sessiou. There was no difference of opinion on any subject between Northern and Southern delegates. They were united as a band of pa? triots, whoso sole object was to rescue their Government from usurpers, tyrants and oppressors, and restore the Constitution and the Republic, in all their original purity and free? dom, to the American people. The Southern delegates determined to be reticent in the Convention, ami take no prominent part in its proceed? ings; whilst the Northern delegates said to them, "on the subject of your peculiar grievances and oppressions, draw your own platform, and make it as strong os you please, we will endorse it." There are good men and bad men in all countries, and in all sections of every country; and I take this occasion to say, that I have never met a moro disinterested, gen? erous and patriotic body of men, than tho leading Democrats of the f North, East and West. They have stood up manfully for tho South, and defended our rights, iu and out of Congress, with a zeal, ability and firmness worthy of all commenda? tion. We should cherish them as friends and patriots, for our only hope of salvation is in their hands. We have to look to them for protec? tion against the Judas Iscariots of their race in the South, whoso base? ness and infamy far exceeds that of the vilest Northern radicals. The issue now beforo the Ameri? can people, in the ensu?ig Presiden? tial election, is one of liberty and despotism. If the radicals succeed, our Republican system of Govern? ment is gone forever. A military despotism will be established all over this continent, or a civil war will ensue, more bloody and desolating than any which has ever decimated tho earth. It behooves every one, then, to bo up and doing. AU should be active in tho canvass, and leave no stone unturned which may contribute to success. Let a Convention be called for tho purpose of nominating Presidential electors. Have able, active, energetic and bold men nomi? nated in every section of the State ono in each Congressional District, and two for the State at lnrge-whose duty it shall be to address the people and stir them up to a senso of the . impending danger. lu doing so, they should appeal to the colored people of tho State, and show them that their true interests are identified with that of the white race, and that they should no longer placo them? selves as political slaves under the lead of unprincipled carpet-baggers and Southern renegades, who are using them only as tools for their own selfish aggrandizement. They should also be told, that whilst they continue to act with those bad men, in oppressing and disfranchising thc Democrats, they will not be employ? ed or favored by the Democracy of South Carolina. The scallawags and radicals cannot employ them or assist them, and they should be taught to know who their truo friends aro. If tho white people of South Carolina are prosperous and happy, tho color? ed people must participate in that prosperity aud happiness. Oa the other hand, if the white nico are op? pressed and kept in poverty, that oppression and poverty will have to