The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-08-26
THE MAss MEETING ON THE 18TH
ovEa TWO THOUSAND PERSONS PRESENT.

annals of our District. Hundreds of sturdy men
and fairest women wero assembled to participate
in the grand demonstration. Every countenance
wore en- cir of brightest hope and enthusiasm
end all werc united in tho glorious purpose ei
placing the Democracy upon frfn OASIS IN 'his
mountain region. Oconee contributed her quota
by the early train Greenville folks were upon
tho Ground OF Q o'clock, and when the special
| train from Abbevlle arrived, there was already
fair essemblage of the people. But the citizens
| of eur own District, who had becn pouring in for
hours before, continued to augment the crowd un-
sleven o'clock. From eyory quarter came tho old
and young, and middle-aged. The bluGhing maid
en- and her bashful suitor; the matron and her
licgs lord, with representative Of the rising gene-
ration; young men and bachelors, looking spruce
and gay; in short, every class Of humanity
swoed the tide, md contributed to the multitude
of people assembled to do honor to the noble STAN
sdard- bearers of Democracy and their principles.
At IL o'clock, the procession was formed on the
public square, under the direction of Col. h. 8.
HILL Marshal of the Day. The procession was
headed by the Greenville Brass Band followed by
the speakers and other gentlemen appointed aa an
escort of honor and tbs citizens generall? The
stand had been prepared in tke beautiful grove
adjacent to the Depot, and thither the immense
crowd wended its way. Arriving Mt the grove,
where hundreds Of ladies had already assembled,
the speakers were conducted to the stand, and the
soats provided were rapidly filled by the populece.
After appropriate and inspiring music, COL HILL
announced that the Executive Committee had do
signated the following gentlemen for the respec-
tive positions named:
! For r4President.-Capt. JAMES A. HORT.
Yice Prcsilcnt,.-Dr. Alex. Evins, DR.. o. r.
Broyes Maj. R. +. Simpson, Rev. D. Humphreys,
Col. F. G. Harrison, Col John Martin, Ii. R. Van
diver, Esq, Maj. T. Ii. McCann, A. C. Jackson,
ESQ.,, Rev. B. F. Mauldin, Joseph Cox Esq, and
John j. Shirley, Esq.
Seeretaries-E. P. Earle, Esq, and Maj. w. W.
Humphreys.
On taking tho chair, the President elect spoke
as follows:
FRIENDS AND FELLOW CITIZENS: On behalf of
you welcome, thrice welcome, this occasion.
We meet day to learn wisdom and receive coun-
sci from men who have borne high honors in the
brilliant record of South Carolina, and who have
shed lustre upon her fair name on the battlefield
and in the councils of the State. We greet them
and you with pride and sympathy, and earnestly
hope TIT this days proceedings may rebound to
tho success of those cherished principles bequeath
ed to ua as common heritage by the heroes of 10
The issues before involve than life, and
the cause in which we are enlisted should receive
the enthusiastic devotion of every lover of his
| country. II becomes my duty as it is my pleas
ure, your presiding officer, to introduce our
distinguished fellow citizen, that gallant soldier
! and eminent statesman, Gen. Wade Hampton.
This announcement wGs received with loud aud
prolonged cheers, and when Gen. HAMPTON came
forward, the vast crowd again testified their ex-
alted appreciation of the noble chieftain. When
the applause had subsidized, Gen. II. spoke as fol
lows:
SPEECH OF GEN. WADE HAMPTON.
| d[r. Preaident Ladies and Gentlemen esteem
it high ard exalted privilege to be asked TO par
ticipate with you in this celebration. Language
cannot convey the profound depths of my feelings.
Believe when l say that no earthly reward is
| more desirable or acceptable than to receive the
approval of the people Of South Carolina.
| If any one man has been doubly paid for his
efforts to achieve the liberties and Independence Of
the State, l em he. Wherever | have been my
old comrades and fellow citizens have extended n
hearty welcome and kindly greeting 1t is my
firm purpose and resolve to retain the good opin-
ION formed of me by my fellow citizens, and the
only motive which has sustained me through the
trying times Of ocallcd peace is devotion to the
State leone to plead great and slupenlous
clusc. The tocsin of war is no longer heard. In
stend of blood red banner hold in my hand the
snow white banner Of peace, with the names Of
worthy standard bearers inscribed thcreon-Sey-
mour and Blair. Will not my old comrades follow
me under this pure, spotiess banner with the same
devotion, patriotism aud gaantry that they did in
days gone by Cries: "Yes, we will. Ikncw
that you would.
The contest wc nre entering upon is fraught
with graver and momentous issues. We are strug-
Cling for free government for the rights and prin-
ciples handed down to US by our furef.thers, and
Tor the. privilege of governing ourselves. The
rule of blood that the rump Congress in Washing
ton would institute will end with the election OF
our nominees. The horrors Of Radicalism we
must prevent and it can only bO done by exerting
every energy that Providence has placed within
| our power. We have just emerged from disas
trous and bloody var, and have no desire TO see
another sweep over this country. What we want
is peace. You have established noble and en-
yiablc name in the history Of the world, and will
sustain that reputation long as life lasts. You
will not cannot submit 10 negro domination. Mis-
sissppi our gallant sister, has given ten thousand
minority TO the Democracy. Wo can accomplish
Us much, but it cannot bc by folding our arms and
displaying masterly inactivity Our very lives
depend upon the great issues involved. We must
rise in the strength Of our might, strike off the
shackles TINT bind us, and remove the iron heel Of
despotism from our necks. In November next the
great aud mighty cohorts of the Democratic party
will rally as one man, and by eecjng their nom-
neess, return peace and prosperity to down.
trodden Southern land. Carclnans, you must ex-
ercise the same devotion, zeal and patriotism to-
wurds the Democratic party that you did to the
lost cause. Nothing earth but the success of