Columbia Democrat and Bloomsburg general advertiser. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1850-1866, 1863-05-09
Communications.
For the Columbia Democrat

For the Columbia Democrat
Col. TATE In conformity to the re-
quest Of several of my Democrat friend /
set about performing the task assigned ne,
by them Of giving brief history of the
late Exhibition at Benton. And, in so
doing, shall cndeavor 10 be as brief as
the occasion will permit The Abolition
tories of Benton and vicinity recently held
an Exhibition at the Benton Church,
description of which is the duty devolvcd
upon me to perform. In order, however,
10 explain the circumstance more fully,
bear with me, in calling to mind cireum
stance which had taken place, some six
weeks previous to the one in question.
The people of Saltwater, early in the
spring, determined on having an exhibi-
ton some two or three weeks subsequent
and according y,made preparations. The
time arrived and the, people concentrated
from all direction, to the place appointed.
Notwithstanding the roads were very
mudy, there was large turnout. These
who participated in the exercises. cxccp-
ting two or three, were Democrats. The
Superintendent (Mr. A McHENRY) is also
a sound Democrat The order and COM
potency with which the exercises passed
off, demand the ptaise of all who were
present, The Entertainment was so good
the people all but the Abolitionists, felt re-
jolccd, saying the performances exceeded
anything in the country of that kind
But, now for an explanation of the case
under consideration. The tories, as have
already mentioned, of Benton and vicinity
after hearing what grand exhibition the
Democrats had ,and feeling envious at their
success, thought they would have one that
would out-vie the one held at Sill water.
According, arrangements we're made and
the time appointed, some FIVE or six weeks
subsequent as they thought it very neces-
sary 10 have good time to practice in or.
der to accomplish their purpose. They an
nounced that they were going to have a
Union exhibition, and considered those
who were not willing to participate with
them, as seccssionists. But as the Demo
Gratis Of Fishingcreek, are not willing tc
associate, nor have anything to do with
Abolitionsts, they did not join with the
tories of Benton in their exercises. But
we all went, at the time appointed, to sec
the proceedings of the Tories. An Abol-
itionist by the name ofJosIAH KLINE was
their head man, whose incompetency wa.
displayed to the people in conducting the
exercises. The disorder and incompetency
with which the exercises were performed
and the object Tor which the exhibition
was gotten up being known rendered The
performances uninteresting, and there wa.
nothing but conisson. When the cxer
sises we're about half out a tory by the
name Of C-D-u, who had beer
awhile III the army, commenced giving
history of history of his life and travel.
while soldering, lauding the Administra,
tion in all it had done and throwing ou
insinualions against the Democrats. The
Democrats at once silenced him and drove
him behind the curtain. The tory at the
head before the exercises we're near ou
began also to nsinuate on the Democrats
as being disloyal, when the whole DGmoc
racy shut down on the tories and dispersed
them some Of them jumping out of ,h'
windows, Thus escaping due punishment
which they would have received had they
been brave enough to have pa's,d out at tn
door.
SDECTACJ