The Fairfield herald. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1849-1876, 1868-08-05
Democratic Mass Meeting at Horeb,

meeting was organized by calling Mr.
Thomas McKinstry to tue Chair and re.
questing J. W. Robertson to not as Sccre.
tary After explaining tho object of tho
meeting. the Chair introduced to The au-
diencc the Hon. James D. Tradewcl of &c
lumbia. We shall not attempt to give cv,
a synopsis of his speech or TO make any
comments upon it further than to say he
sustained tho high character hu has always
borne rs gentleman of splendid attain
ments. His remarks wcro very pointed
and for truthful and cogent reasoning, we
have seldom heard them cxcclled, trucly
eloquent at times, his speech showed deem
research, and most thorough Investigation
OF tho subject he 80 mast terly handled. l,c
closed amid the most raptuous applause
The Chairman tllon gave NJ tice to the Radi
col party that tho ball Vas open, and an op-
portunity was tcndefed them to reply, or
address the meeting, but no one of then
present seemed to show any disposition to
do so.
MIR. James G. Gibbs, of Columbia, was
next introduced, who entertained fhe' assem-.
bly, with most admirable and practicable
speech, intcrsperscd with anecdotes, which
was hugely enjoyed, especially by our sable
brethren, as many Of them showed their
ivory from the beginning to the end Of his
speech Mr. Gibbs laborcd faithfully to
impress upon the colored man the necessity
OF deserting the sinking ship, or thoy would
be overwhelmed and engulphed in ruin.
lie told !hcm canddly, that tho Southern
Democrats were their best and in fact their
only friends. Stated to them tho condition
OF tho black man North, that he had travels
led extensively and oftentmcs over the
principal cities md sections of tho great
North, and that their color were the most
degraded and in the most abjcct and msor
aolc condition of any other class of people
within his knowledge. In their great cities
you never saw colored drayman, carriage
driver, &C., and white mechanics held up
their hands in holy horror Mt the idea of
working side by side with the negro, and if
the negro got employment it. was Of The
most men'at kind. lilo also told them of the
enormous burden Of debt saddlcd on hc
country by tho wild and reckless cxpendi
t"re of tho Radical party, and most assured.
~ they would have their portion to bear.
we regard Mr.. Gibbs first rate, cxtcmpo-
rancous or stump speaker and we'll calculn-
ted TO do good Gf any can be cffcctcd) in
the great campaign upon which wo are On
tcring' His speech elected much applause
Col. j. L. Thomas, Of Columbia, then in.
troduced William Myers, colorcd, and com,
mended him to the PUBLIC as n worthy man
ana sound Dcmocrat-who in few cffcc
two remarks cndcavored to impress their
minds with good wholesome advice of the
blessings Democracy had in storo for them
ana the utter ruin which awaited them If
they persisted in holding stcadfast to the
doctrines and teachings of tho Republican
party. His speech was highly appreciated
by both white and coored
Noxt in turn, came tho grcat champion of
Democracy, COL John p. Thomas, of Co.
lnmoia, the gentleman who had the honor
OF addressing the Reconstruction Commit
tee IN tho halls of Congress Of boarding
the LIONS in thoir den. The gentleman WIN
so manfully, fcarfully and ably laid the pro.
test of tho good people of South Carolina
Deforc that Committee, against sadlline tho
present Constitution upon us.
lilo having but recently cntorcd the arena
of politics, We never before had the Plea.
sure Of having him. Precious toIbe war
llis mind had distinguished turn for tho
enchanting fields of Literature g. Science.
and we'll has he stored it--witb brilliant
gems In on humble Judgment ho is ono Of
The most efficient and interesting spenkors
OF tho day. From what we have read of tho
immortal Patrick Henry. Wc have con-
ceiyed great similarity between the Two
and the occasions which have called forth tho
great strength, the commanding genius
and beauty of their intellect arenot peyy
dssstm'lar. Col. Thomas spoke very candid.
ly to tho colored people. lie told tbem that
the Slice Of bacon--or bait.-.offercd them or
poid out to them by tho other party was
worry inviting no doubt. So clear Of bona
fat and juicy, whilst tho Democratic slioe
was perhaps poor and mcagro and destitute
Of tho oily or juicy substances. But no
ocgged them to remember that d subtle
poison very often lurkod within such bats
US US the first. But that on the other many
hed nae been DH known to fattcn and prosper. That
Tho Tho Democratic party had nor could hot
mako them such profusos promises. Yet
they expected comply wi:hh, what ii.vy did
make the letter That they would prom.
lse nothing but what they expected to full.
NIL. That the platform of that party was a
Judicious one and just towards thcm Tbot
% before the law they would have equal rights
with the white man and the party was will.
ing to accord them every thing that was rem.
sonabie right, (but let him ask loo much
o. and nd no will miss any. just here the Colonel
osoa'ne ln'oh animated and his mind enliy-
enea and warmed byhis subject flowed
with thoughts bold, attendant and sublime,
q Vat A a. ga VI -