Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1868-08-21
For the journal.
Tae Great Seymour and Blair Barbecue
S.l

For the journal.
Tae Great Seymour and Blair Barbecu,
at selma, n. c., lIth August, 1868
The morning of the 18th instant opened
calm and beau.iful-the clouds and rain.
of many days previous having passed away
leaving cloudless sky and temperate at
mosphere. With the rising of the sun the
people commenced entering the town, anG
as the day wore on every avenue leading
to Selma was crowded with men and
women-some on horse back, some in bug
gies, some in carts and wagons, while hun.
dreds, filed with the determination 10 dc
and talk for a white mans government,
walked miles, to be present at the grandes
political gathering ever assembled in the
county of old Johnston. For the occasion
q large and substantial platform had been
erected under the spacious building being
erected for an iron foundry. In the real
of the platform an immense United States
flag was arrayed and from the cupola of the
building tall pole was erected, from which
another flag of immense dimensions fioated.
Under this great Democratic wigwam seats
were arranged capable Of seating fifteen
hundred persons, and an hour before the
time appointed for the speaking to COM
mence every available spot was occupied,
and hundreds stood outside, so eager were
they to hear from the distinguished ora
tors and to receive tokens Of @ brighter
future.
At eleven o'clock E. S. Parker, ESQ, of
Smithfeld, moved that COL John W.
Sharp be requested to act as Chairman on
the occasion, and q. E. Preston, ESQ,
proposed that ". Whitaker act as Score
tary. These gentlemen took position on
the platform, which was already occupied
by Maj Engelhard, of the Whining ton
Journal, Col. Cowan, of New Hanover,
Samuel P. Williams, Esq, of Granville,
M. G. Richardson, Esq, Of Johnston, and
E. S. Parker, Esq, Of Smithfeld.
Organization being perfected, Col
Sharp, in a few we'll timed remarks, stated
the object of the meeting, and introduced
Maj. Jos. A. Engelhard to the audience.
Maj. E. acknowledged the compliments
bestowed upon him in being designated as
one Of the speakers on this great occasion
He said: Both in the history of nations, as
well as of communities, there was a time
when it was criminal in individuals to re-
main neutral. Such time was now upon
the people Of North Carolina To day
crisis presented itself and upon the issue
of this canvass depended the welfare or
destruction of Republican form of gov
eminent He appealed to the lukewarm-
the apothetic to take sides for their native
soil-to come forward like men and resolve
that the yoke which now gals the necks of
our people shall be forever thrown off
He drew q faithful picture of Radical
rule-recounted the misrule and tyranny
of the State and National Legislature, and
told the people in language strong and
suited to the occasion, what additional suf-
fering was in store for them, if they quietly
submitted. Major E. happily held up to
the view of the anxious multitude, the arts
of the present scalawag Legislature
high taxes imposed, and the seven horned
under the name of the Estate
Police Bill, and asked the people if they
were prepared to sit still and witness repe-
tition of the scenes in North Carolina that
have been enacted in down-trodden Ten
nessee. (Cries of "no no J" In this con-
nection. the speaker fairly skinned the
man ..who writes himself Governor of
North Carolina, and the response of one
voicesplainlyt told that the apostate
son of North Carolina has no place in the