The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-09-15
[FRoM DUB OWN CORRESPONDENT

ILLUMINATION.
(FRoM DUB OWN CORRESPONDENT
SPARTANBURa, &. c., September 1.-At early
dawn the good people Of this district COM
menced pouring into town from all directions.
On foot, on horseback, in buggies, carriages
and wagons, white and colored alike were
vending their way to the place Of meeting.
at nine q. NJ. procession was formed un-
der charge Of Maj. D. Z. Duncan as CHIEF
marshal, and headed by the Greenville brass
band marched from the courthouse to the BAR
becue grounds, near the Presbyterian Church.
There we're at least two hundred c'lored Demo-
Gratis in the procession, each carrying NINA
ture United States flag with the names OF
Seymour and Blair inscribed thereon. Sus-
| pended from the Walker House was very
| large national flag bearing the ames OF the
Democratic nominees, and as the procession
passed beneath it three lusty cheers were
given. The stand, which was large and COM
modious, was tastefuEy decorated with pine
boughs, wreaths of ivy, and large number
OF small flags.
The number of persons present was estimat-
ed at four thousand, and some Of the Oldest
residents Of Spartanburg declared that it was
the largest gathering they had ever witnessed
in the district.
The meeting was called to order by Profess
sor W. z. Blake, who introduced the Rev.
Whitefoord Smith, ID. After an eloquent and
touching prayer by that distinguished divine,
Professor Blake stated the object Of the meet
ing In brief and appropriate address, allad-
ing in stirring sentences to the momentous
issues Of the canvass, and concluding with
gallant appeal aud glowing tribute to the fair
sex.
Hon. A. P. Aldrich said that the scene re-
minded him Of the days when Preston, Nc
Dufie and Calhoun used to canvass the State,
and he proceeded to PAINT in vivid colors his
recolections OF that glorious time. Next he
spoke Of the New York Convention, the hearty
reception given to the Southern delegates, the
earnestness with which the Northern Democ-
racy entered into the canvass, and the great
probability of success. Then he urged the ab-
solute necessity Of the Southern people doing
all in their power to aid their Northern friends,
and declared that it was the manifest duty OF
every patriot to throw every prejudice aside
and exert his whole strength in eushing for
ward the good cause. He exposed, refuted
and denied the innumerable falsehoods with
which the Radicals are accustomed to delude
the negroes, and explained everything in o
plain and simple manner that the most illit-
crate person in his audience could readily un-
derstand him. He complimented the colored
Democrats on the boldness Of their stand, and
concluded with brilliant pereoration in regard
to the stars and stripes as the emblem of truth,
liberty and justice.
Hon. Armistead Burt said that on this cam.
paign depended the cause Of free government
at the South. Unless Seymour and Blair were
elected, we would not have another election.
He called attention to the great domestic and
local, as we'll as national, issues involved IN
the contest, and pressed on his audience the
necessity Of meeting them with promptness,
vigilance and determination. Hereyiewed the
history Of the South during the late war, and
said that such people would never willingly
become slaves. He made scathing review Of
the now so-called State government of South
Carolina, warned the negroes OF their plots,
and ridiouled their attempts OF legislation un-
mercifully.
Major G. @. Mcclure went extensively into
the merits, or rather demerits, of General
Grant; the relative position and doctrines Of
the Radical and Demouratic parties; explained
to the colored people the duties of a voter; ex-
posed the Radical humbug of "Let us have
peace;" showed up the so-called Legislature,
and concluded with an earnest appeal to all his
hearers to exert their utmost strength in the
canvass. -
Colonel Cothran, of Ahbsyille, was the last
speaker, and, Notwithstanding the near ap-
preach Of the dinner hour, enlisted the close
attention Of the audience during the whole
time Of his address. He spoke OF the late war
and the humble part which he played, an sad
that, although we failed in our attempt at
separate nationality, W. hal not lost all
our liberties. We we're engaged now in
peaceful contest for what liberty and proper
ty remained to us, and though we fought not
with muskets and sabres, the same boldness,
energy, endurance and determination we're ne
cessary which had been 30 oonspicuously dis
played in the late struggle. He explained to
his colored hearers, in terms not to be mIsun-
derstood, the side on which their bread was
buttered; rasped the Legislature so-cslled, and
the Executive ditto, and pitched into Moses,
Jr., with ungloved hands, concluding with
stirring appeal to the voters Of Spartanburg to
rally round the polls in November.
The speeches we're listened to with the
utmost attention throughout by the entire au-
dience, black as well as white. The people
had congregated TO learn the political situa-
ton, and had received fund Of information as
well as entertainment. Any one who listened
to the discussions which took place among the
various groups Of blacks and whites after the
speaking was over, could not but be convinced
both Of the interest taken by the people Of the
canvass, and OF The necessity of just such cele
bratlons, and the great good which they &C.
complain. The interest already felt was mani
festly increased, and the people, by listening
to intelligent speakers and by mutual inter-
course, arrived at clear idea Of the situation.
After the speeches had been delivered, the
crowd was formed into three columns, one
consisting Of ladies, another Of the white men,
and third of the colored people. They march
ed to large grove, where huge tables filed
to overfowlng with meats, cooked sen barbe