The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-09

General Clanton, Ex-G0vernoF Watts,
Colonel Taylor and Others-Trenendous
Cheering for the Stars and stripes-Torch-
Hight Procession, Banner Presentation and
More Speeches-Grcat Enthusiasm. le%a
N~seaa' -s.-s1-ee-.@e>s SELMA, Oct. l. 1858.
The greatest political denomination known in
Alabama for many years was held here to-day. From
an early hour In the morning delegation after dele
cation Of white and black voters poured into the
city, and at ten O'Clock procession was formed,
headed by thirty-six beautiful young ladies in
tune, each representing one OF the States, and es-
corted py as many 'knlghts," all being on horse
BACK, thus forming very handsome and imposing
spectacle. The crowd was now gigantic, over
1000 persons being present. Of which at least 5000
were negroes. On the stand were ex-Governors Win
ston, Moore and Watts together with Generals Clan
ton, Pettus and crowd OF other distinguished Ala.
bamlans. After the meeting was called to order the
proceedings OF the day were announced and the first
speaker introduced.
SPEECH OF GENERAL JAMES n. cLANToN.
the General, who served with distinction in the
confederate army as cavalry commander, was
greeted with loud cheers as he came forward. He
referred to the fact that the dream OF Calhoun Of
united South mad at last been realized. This reaza.
ton had been because OF the manner in which the
southern people had been treated since the war
closed The radical party had made them forget
past Issues and brought about unanimity OF senti-
ment oy the Violation OF those terms OF surrender
which had alone induced them lay down their arms
When they yielded it was in good faith, and God
knew how earnestly they had asked for and desired
q speedy restoration Of the Union. Mr. Lincoln had
repeatedly said that the moment the contest was
abandoned the South could return to the Union and
TO representation therein with all of their rights un-
impaired save and except those relating TO slavery
and secession and he went to Fortress Monroe HIM
sell Tor the purpose OF making known this. But
when the South had yielded they found that the
doors OF Congress were closed upon them unless
.ney themselves placed the brand OF iniamy upon
R bs F. Lee ana the other Southern Leaders This
~ rejecting the fourteenth constitutional amend
ment, Though they had suffered ana were still
the pressure brought to bear upon her Alabama had
nobly preserved her honor bright and ansullied
tremendous ,sa;I u, cheerng Military dsspo!ism had
odous form Of RIM ~ m anS
scalawags-men with principles alien to those OF an
them. And such rule General Clanton here spoEe
at engh on the subject OF the present State govern
had been fairly defeated by the express Of ,Se
Reconstruction laws, and how, in spite OF this Con-
gress had forced It upon them. But, notwlthstand-
ing the men In power do not represent majority or
the people, he counselled obedience to the laws how
ever oppressive and infamous they may be. Vio-
Hs how a0t
initiating 1t was for his fellow citizens to submit to
ane dom,neerng nsoence OF strange aGyenturers
vsed them earnestly to let the carpet-baggers and
scaawags alone. The end Of their power was near
full operation OF the baot-box. They had noble
hearted friends ut the North, who aiding them
Reconstruction laws OF Congress- He depended
upon the good sense OF the American people for |
restoration Of their constitutional liberty The issues
before the country were too plain for him to elabo-
rate upon them On one side was party pledged |
to continue the work OF making centralized des- |
potism Of this republic; on the other was the ma |
tional democracy, unfolding the constitutional |
liberties iI OF the people and, and warning against
Ho said he felt assured n p tet th m
day OF their deiyerance was at hand. Two or |
three weeks ago the impudent utterances Of few |
Southern speakers and Of q few Southern newspa- |
pers had caused the political atmosphere to look
dark; but since the masses Of the North had dis
sent the true sentiments OF ninety nine hundredths
OF the southern people things had looked brighter
would be elected. Immense chceringj For the
position taken by them during the past three years
q political excitement he had one thing to say.
History would record the fact that constitutional
ths people o. the south quietly though HnaincSngy
iCheers.) general CantQ4 closed Q moderate and
really able speech by urging tue Citizens Of alabama
% 60 ,Sn ad work sSr Tine len ca
SPEECH OF ). 1 W. fisLok-tnr POSITION OF THE
The next speaker was Colonel ;. W. Taylor, OF
Greene county, one OF the ablest men or the State
lie made lengthy and really brilliant address, In the
course OF which he said that he was glad to see a |
correspondent OF the greatest paper in the Union and
in the world present taking notes. When they
made . speech in the presence OF q repre-. |
sentative OF that paper they spoke before the |
entire people OF the North. Nothing had |
been said that day before him which would not have
been said had he been absent; and had ne not been
there nothing more would have been said. He
peated that he was glad the NRw York HERALD
would contain an account OF the meeting and
speeches. for 1t would show to the people OF tho
North what the true sentiments OF the South were.
And here your correspondent would remark that
not one word said to-day that the most barefaced
radical writer could have distorted into an express
sion Of dsloyalty to the United States Ex-Governor
Watts also addressed the meeting and his remarks
were well received. The entire crowd then ADJOURN
ed TO the barbecue dinner.
IL must here be stated that the 5000 negroes
addressed at O different stand by several white and
cOlored speakers and that their enthusiasm for Sey
mour and Blair was, II possible, greater than the
whites. Tonight, as write, the city is brilliantly
Illuminated the streets are thronged with people
and immense torchlght professions are moving in
every direction. An elegant banner Of silk made
BY the fair ladies OF Selma TO be presented TO the
largest delegation. Up to the present time the ut
most harmony and good feeling prevailed. once or
twice radical negroes tried 70 create disturbance
to postpone the shouting until radical
meeting was held and these little specks OF trouble
were thus brushed or without difficulty on the |
whole the demonstration In Selma to-day has been |
the largest, most enthusiastic and most orderly | |
have seen during the present tour.