The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-08-13
The Public Meettoa at wi,lismston

meeting "n the following day. Upon our Or
rival at Hodges, we found quito number OF
ladies and gentlemen awaiting the arrival OF
with three well filed passenger care, contain
ing many from Greenwood and other points
Oh the road. These with constant accessious
at Donaldsville, Honca Path, and Bolton, crow
dcd us TO our flowing. There was full rep.
resentation from Abbeville, both of the can.
d'dates and the sovereigns so that it became
the subject of amusing remark that tho Able.
vile members were doing some effective elec.
tioneer ing in Anderson.
About 100 persons we suppose, stopped at
Williamson upon the arrival Of tho cars. and
| applied for quarters at the new Hotel which
presented quite hustle, for time. To the
kindness of friend, we were indebted for very
comfortable quarters in his room. and we were
here pleasantly domiciled during the remain.
der Of tho trip. The others were all daily ac-
commodatcd, and the house soon resemblcd
teeming beehive. Many were here from va
rious portions of the State. Among others " as
the Hon. L. 81. Keitt the member of Congress
from Orangeburg, who had been here for seve.
meeting on the next day. Col. Orr was ex-
pected, the next morning on tho train from
Anderson and Mcssrs. L. p Jones, and J. ID.
Ashmore, I. o. p. Vernon. Candidates for Coz
gress had not rs yet come in from their vari-
ous electioncering tours.-The evening passed
oil very pleasantly. and as usual concluded
with dance to the sound of somo delicious
music.
At an early hour, on the next morning. tho
regular train from Grecnville, and an extra
train from Anderson, brought an addition of
nearly 100 guests to the hotel and we suprose
about i00 persons sat down to the break fast
table. After breakfast, the citizens came flock
ing in from the surrounding country. and by
10 o'clock. company Of 1000 or 1900 person
had assembled in the grove near the Spring,
where platform, aud seats had been provided
for the occasion. Maj. Griffin, the Presdcn.
of the Day. announced as the order OF exercises
that the meeting would be addressed success.
sively by the Candidates for Congress, and for
the State Senate md House, anl bv tho mem
bers Of Congress. Messrs. Keit and Orr
Col. +. p. Jones Of Grcenvillc, opened the
discussion. and his easy delivery and eurnest
and effective style of speaking. commanded
avoweI his adherence to the principles Of the
Democratic party, and endorsed the platform
of the Cincinnati Convention, The principles
Of the party. he thought fully guaranteed the
rights of the South, and should meet onr cor
dial approval and enruest support. He was
| friend of the Union, so far as it was cones.
tent with devotiou TO the interests IF his Sec.
tion. and he Thought that SO long as We re-
mained in the Union. we should sustain the
Democracy. and cooperate with the true men
of the North. With regard TO its future. he
was not 80 hopeful "a Senator Hammond. but
still in the great sectional battle which was to
be fought, he had great confidence in the in
heent strength Of our institutions. lie thought
the South should not submit to the election OF
Black Republican President, nad in case OF
the refusal ty Congress to admit slave State
into the Union. he was ready to stand upon the
| Georgia platform of 1850. He concluded with
some appropriate compliments to he ladies.
In the absence of Moi. T. o. T. Vernon. OF
Srartanburg who was prevented by indispo-
si,ion from attending. the assembly was next
addressed by Col. J. D. Ashnere, Of Anderson.
The Colonel is fino looking man, and his bold
manly style Of delivery. awakened the enthu.
siasm Of the audience. who greeted him with
frequent cheers. Hc commenced W it'll q mo
dest allusion to his own experience in public
speaking. and expressed disposition to he 81.
lent on tho present occasion. particularly in
the presence Of The nbleEa eloquent gentle.
men Tho were to succeed him. and in this con.
necton he paid some handsome compliments
to Messrs Orr and Keitt. His friends. how.
ever, had a right TO hear his political views,
and he proceeded to indicate them. He had
ever been attached to the Democratic party.
| from the time that he was first able to compre.
| hend its creed andspolicy, and had supported
| it's measures from The election of Polk and Dal.
| las in 1914 to that Of Mr.. Buchanan in 1856.
He regarded the party as the strong ally OF
the South and it's institutions. and as hence en-.
titled to our cordial sympathy and support.
BY united counsels at homo and by hearty
cooperation with the true men of the North,
| VIC might still avert til g dangers which threat.
ened the Union. If any event, hehad no fears
for the institution ofslnvery. A great moral
victory had been gained by the South, and
Slavery now occupied stronger position,
than at any former period of it's history.-His
remarks to the1adies in conclusion. we thought
werc peculiarly happy and wclltimed.
Next followed Gen. Harrison and DR.. Evans,
the Candidates for the Senete. and Messrs.
Broyles. Vandiver. Shanklin, Cunningham,
Russell. Moore and Wilkes, for the House. The
speeches of these gentlemen were in reply to
various interroga.ories profounded. They all
wero opposed to the revival of ths.slave trade :
they generally endorsed the measures of the
DemocrassS party. and favored cooperation
with it., go far as consist ents with Southern in
terests they all favored the election of Presi.
dental electors by ths people, and some were
disposed likewise to give the election Of Gov.
ernor TO the people; they all expressed their
disapproval ofthe Penetentinry system.
The Assembly was next entertained with
an address from the eloquent member from
Orangeburg, the Hon. L. M.tsKeitt. To those
who have never seen the speaker, We would
saw that he il a fine looking gentleman of me.