The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1868-08-06
HAMPToN's SPEECH IN FULL
ADDRESSES BY ALDRIcH, BUTLER, FINLEY,
HILL1ARD, YoUMANs AND OTHERS.
MANLY LETTER FROM THE HON. JAS. B.
CAMPBELL ON NEGRO SUFFRAGE.
SPEECHES OF TWO FREED4EN.
INCIDENTS OF THE BARBECUE.
TFRoM QUE SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT j

fFRoM QUE SPECIAL coRREsPoNDENT.]
AIKEN, s. c., Aug ust 4-The good people
ofEdgefeld and Barnwell may pat themselves
on the back and say, "well done !" for they
have Witnessed in the pretty little village Of
Aiken Democratic demonstration that would
have done honor to Charleston or Columbia,
and which is probably the most enthusiastic
and influential political meeting that has been
seen in the country districts since the close Of
the late unpleasantness. There was eloquence
for the thirsty soul and mutton unlimited for
the hungry mouth. Barbecue meats and eulo-
gies of Seymour and Blair strove for prece-
dence, and the vigorous onslaught made by
the Edgefeld Democracy upon the good things
Of the daysis happy omen iofthe energy with
which they will advance their banners in the
great fight Of November. - I.
Every man, woman and child in the District
Of Edgefeld seemed to be upon the ground,
and with them we're representatives from pic
turesque Augusta, thriving Atlanta, strug-
Cling Charleston, and negro-blessed Colum-
bia. The neighboring districts sent in their
contingents Of representative men and grace
full women. Many travelled gladly thirty and
forty miles, attracted by the magic names Of
Wade Hampton, Aldrich, Wright and Father
RYAN. The result was cheering, swarming,
eager and patient crowd, which WAS determin-
ed to show it's faith by it's works, and prove
that It was prepared to go heart and soul into
the contest, whose foregone conclusion-n ne
are true to ourselves-is victory for Seymour
and Blair.
How the crowds came 10 the places Of meet
ing, no mortal can tell. There were the usual
groaning ox-carts, dilapidated buggies and
springless wagons. There was the customary
struggling regiment of male and female cav
airymen, both white and colored. There we're
the well-known varieties of horse, donkey and
mule; from the snorting charger to the worn
out quadruped whose heaven Of much fodder
and little work is nigh. But hundreds must
still have come afoot or dropped from the
clouds, many of the fair sex bearing on their
heads knots Of blue that would seem to indi-
cate celestial origin, or, at least, larceny of
some convenient cloud. There were old men
and young men, youug girls and their beaux:
old soldiers and "Young America" veteran
politicians and beardless boys-the whole FORM
ing grand sight to all who are interested in
the future we-teing Of the country. No one,
indeed, would ave thought that our popula-
ton was sparse, and our commissioners Of i'm
migration, had they been present, would have
felt tempted to suspend their labors.
THE STANDS.
The stands we're erected in small grove on
the edge of the village, one being retained for
the white speakers and the other for the color
ed men. They were decorated with United
States flags and evergreens, the seats for the
ladies being in front Of the main stand. A
hundred yards or 30 to the right were the
pits, where nos moutons were broiling, filling
the air with savory odors. All around the
stand were banners and transparencies, some
OF which were quantity conceived and bore o
telling device.
THE PROCESSION.
When The Augusta train arrived, with its
cars filed with excursionists, including num-
ber OF distinguished gentlemen, and the men,
bers of the Richmond County Georgia Demo-
cratic Club, the procession was formed in
front Of the hotel, the band being at the head.
Minute-guns were fired, and as the drums were
beat the procession moved of, the Aiken DEM
ocratic Club being in front. Then the people
shouted, the horses pranced, the boys cheered
and the ceremonies of the day were about to
begin.
When the procession reached the stand it
was halted, and the reception committee and
the distinguished guests took the places
which had been prepared for them. Upon the
stage were General Wade Hampton, Judge
Aldrich, the Hon. ". H. Hilliard, and other
prominent gentlemen.
The ceremonies were opened with prayer by
the Rev. MIR. Cornish, and MIR. Finley came
forward and spoke as follows:
REMARKS OF THE HON. WIN. P. FINLEY.
FeNo,o Citizens :-Iu this eventful crisis Of
our country's history, it is cheering to know
that in every part Of our State, and in every
quarter of the Union, there is heard the tramp OF
the phalanx of brave men, who are bucking
on their armor in the cause Of constitutional
liberty, and who are making ready to take an ac-
tive part in the contest now pending reyer-
eQco the QHuGs DlOOh63 dauCOSn, Tul-
landigham, Hill ard Gordon, whose names will
stand as landmarks upon the hills of fame.
God forbid that any Of us should pluck leaf
from the laurels which crown their brow, or
take away the glory which belongs to them.
I am proud that South Carolina claims
her place in the picture; that our virtuous
mother, the old Palmetto State, stricken and
impoverished as she is, can still point to some
of her gallant sons in this galaxy Of patriots.
Of those who are resolved, come what may,
survive or perish, to share her fortunes, pra-
mus inter pares-frst among hls equals, is
one OF whom We, as citizens of South Carolina,
without any disparaa ement Of others, but con-
fnipg ourselves to our own family circle,
may now say, as our fathers did OF Washing
ton, he is "First in war, first in peace, and
first in the hearts Of his countrymen." 1t is
he who is now to address us on the questions
OF the day Allow me to introduce to you one
whom all South Carolinians delight to honor
Gen. Wade Hampton. [Cheers.]
SPEECH OF GENERAL HAMPTON.
General Hampton then came forward and
was received with loud and long continued
cheering. He spoke as follows
Ladies and GenQenaen-f any one thing Gun
stir M heart more profoundly than another, it
is the reception which have met with here
and over the whole State. When, after the
NH biol, bo1ta oocoo1