The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1867-08-08
The Bar Room Rebellion.

The remark often made by students that
history repeats itself, has been recently
signally verified in the city of Columbia.
The "whiskey rebellion" :of Washlngtons
administration, has found its parallel in the
following circumstances
Two emissarics of the dominant party OF
the North having visited Columbia, the one
to speak to the Convention in the cause OF
Republicanism, and the other to record its
proceedings in letters to some Newspaper,
yclept respectively, ARMSTRONG and .THeNs-
SON; having suitably regalcd themselves to
luxurious contentment with that beverage
once so dear to the tastes ofthe young bloods
of our obsolete Southern aristocracy, iced
champagne. during sultry summer evening
"a. sabbath crc) sauntercd into the bar room
of N1cKERsoy' s Hotel. There unfortunately
two cx reJs, RADCLIFFE and DAILY, had pre-
cetled them, and having perhaps had the fur
rubbed the wrong way for some days by the
speeches and proceedings of the Convention,
sought restoration to amiability through
the medium of sundry potations of bar-room
whiskey. From ali accounts, they had near
ly reached the point where they would have
emerged from the quarrelsome, into the
sleepy stage of inebricty, when they would
have been harmless ''as any sucking dove"
but unfortunately, had not reached that con-
dition, when Messrs. ARMSTRONG and THoMP-
son came upon the scene of action. Wheth-
er it was that the champagne could not atfili-
ate with the whiskey, or for whatever other
reason, we know not, but we arc credibly IN
formed, that one of the eX-rebs offered ANN
STRONG glass of grog, not with the usual
polite ceremonial, but by throwingit into his
face. This, ARMSTRONG resented. Why, we
cannot say. We know men who would act rs
target all day for such practice. But, per-
haps ARMSTRONG did not like to take it
straight perhaps he did not like whiskcy
aAesaA--pasha ns- he took offence at
tho manner in which the compound was pre-
sehted to his lips. Be that as it may, the
facts, he resented it. A general engage
ment took place bctwccnthe four. Landlord,
assistants, clerks, walters, cooks and soul
lions interviewed to restore peace. Couriers
were sent off for General Burton and Cover
nor ORR. Upon the arrival of the august Of
ficials, hostilities ceased and order was re
stored. The ex-rcbs. were put in custody Of
the so-called law and marched off to the Mag
istrate. The engagement was short, occu-
pying, in all about seven minutes. The cas-
ualties were few and unimportant. At the
time, it was supposed that this was common
bar room fight, but subsequent events have
invested it with an Importance little dreamed
of by the actors and spectators. Thomson
and ARMSTRONG were visited by number of
negroes at their room. THOMPSON sent for q
guard of soldiers, which was furnished
THOMPSON sent off dispatches and reports Of
the cnga cement. RADCLIFFE and DAILY, re-
leased on bail by Magistrate ZEALY, in the
sum of three hundred Dollars each, were re-
arrested on the application Of ARMSTRONG
and THOMPSON. ZEALY the Magistrate was
removed from Office for taking insufficient
bail. A Military Commission has been held for
the trial of the offenders for this assault upon
the majesty of the Nation, in the persons of
two political emiisaries and adventures,
they have been condemned to Castle Pinck-
ney and the entire country placed in state
of excitement and ferment, by an event, which
in the North, would have led to night in
the station house and q fine of five to twenty
dollars. There has been nothing like it since
the famous ''Battlc of the Kegs"