The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-12-01

hail. The buslucss community, however, felt
that the total absence OF the drama was u serious
drawback TO their interests and abnut the year
ls3; . company OF Stockholders was organized
chiefly composed of merchants, ami under their
auspices the OLD Meeting street Theatre was built
AMI opened. Luckily the structure escaped the
terrible fire Of 1888, anu its stage was, for many
years afterwards, hOnored hy the appearance, In
pleasing succession, or the great lights OF
drama, music and the dance. Here figured
Macrcady. the elder and the younger Booth,
Van,icnh and Forrest; and the same boards
were graccd by the presence OF Ellen Tree, after
wards Mrs. Charles Kean, Mrs. Mowatt, Jula
Dean, and the great Rachel. Here warbIcd the
Swedish Nightingale, Jenny Lind. and the witch.
Ing dance Of the matchlcss Elsler here cntranced
houses crowded from pit to dome by the be auty
una fashion OF the time. The theatre was main-
tancd under the management OF Manager Mar
chant, AMI though handsomely supported at
times, never proved rcmuncrative in money point
OF view, to It's stockholders. 1t was nem0rnbly
connected with the events which led TO our great
war, inasnluch rs II was the place Of meeting OF
the Douglas boilers OF secrders from the celc-
bratcd Charleston Convention OF 1860. This, as
far as we know, was the only instance in which
the building was ever used for political purposes,
although IA carly rs 1899 the great Southern
Commercial COnt enLion in which ngurcd Robert
Y. Ilaync, William &. Preston, Judge Longstrcct,
of Georgia, AMI where Alexander II. Stephens
first achieved national prominence, held its scs-
sion within its walls. After the breaking out OF
the war several amateur performances were given
in the theatre. with view to assisting In the
equipment OF the military organizations which
were then forming with so much enthusiasm;
but the great fire of December 1861, which swept
away In u few hours The faircst portions OF our
city, did not spare the theatre. II was consumed
with all Its equipments, properties and ward
robes, cntailing heavy loss upon Manager Mar
chant. who soon after left the city, and died
abroad before the close OF hostilitics.
Since tic war, nS most OF our readers are
aware, the theatrical facilities OF Charleston have
been rather meagrc. The IIlbcrnian Society, with
c0mmcndabic energy, did their best to I'LL tho
want. by putting up a stage in their hall,
which has served good purpose; and
the arrangements have been so improved by
successive alterations that play can now
be produced upon the IIibcrnian boards with
little Inconvenience. But an cxtemporized thea
tire can never fully supply the place OF the regu-
lar article, and accordingly our community has
missed several opportunities OF refined and dcs
rable amuscments which might have been afford
ed them under other circumstances
Now TINT Charleston has tho advantage OF a
really frst-ciass place OF amusement It remains
for our people to show their appreciation OF the
pluck and public spirit displayed by It's proprietor
by giving It q cordial and steady support.
TIE REPUBLICAN MBETINo, called by 7. H.
Holmes for last night, was addressed by Senator
Sawyer, q. w. Clark, Il. J. Mackcy ana other
prominent Radicals.
After much confusion In the choice or secre.
n nh n fayv frnln ba oh al
man. the senator was introduced. Abiding to o
remark that the meeting had been called for the
baptizing OF Mr.. G. w. Clark as Republican, he
denied the necessity Of such baptism, Mr..
Clark had always been II staunch and jealous
supporter OF their party. IL was great piece
OF assumption to say that he was not.
Instead OF this fighting ono against the other,
oil who desire the welfare and prosperity OF the
State should seek unity In Rcpubllcansni. A
voce-tWill they get office thcn2l II ever their
party had cause for congratulatIon It was at pre-
sent when all the offices were In their hands, and
good, staunch, prascworthy anu reliable Repub.
lIcans were regulating the affairs OF Charleston.
The present prosperous condition OF the State
and city was due to their skill and abilities.
Those WHO before the war were cliattn,s and arti-
ss~u0Jy-svw itcc anu fHuc-
pendent and have given their support TO the Re-
publcans. The press did not discuss In fair
aud liberal spirit the political question: aud ever
misstaled the actions OF the Republican party,
which, knowing It's Integrity, uprightncss und
fidelity can easily AFFORD to be abused.
After few other remarks, the senator said that
being hoarsc lie felt he could not continue to a,l-
dress his listeners any longer that night, and
thanking them for their attention retired, making
way for Mr. @. w. Clark, who amidst cries OF
"MncSey !" "Clark ~ "Ycs ~ '.No m &c.,) obtain
ed, at the instance OF 7. J. Msckey, q patient
hearing whilst lie harangued his auditors on his
own merits and actions as n Republican. From
the breaking out Of the war lie had assisted the
soldiers or all colors In every way, Ill ut lengtl,
they arrived in Charleston, where lie still further
exhibited his philanthropy by helping TO raise q
subscription OF $4,000 for the relief OF the INDECENT
by him were colorcd men first established In the
Aldermanic chair, tho police and the State offices.
When asked to be q candidate 70! onlcc he dc.
clIncd, knowing well that he coald not be good
Republican ofliclai and continue II business at
| the same time. lie never Inquired .nto q mans
politics In giving him ofllcc. He he'd been present
| at the meeting callc,l on the occasion OF Ran.
dolphs DEATH besides the before the election.
| lie mentioned his various advlces % the Demo
Gratis, how lie received the Mayors office, and
| concluded with grandlloqucht aancgyric on
| the benefits ail enjoyed under the folds OF the
| Star-Spangled Banner.
Mr.. 7. ]. Mackey followed with cutting analysi is
OF Mr. Clark's proceedings as Republican, and
his connection with tile Democratic party. accus
ing Mr.. Clark Of having given, on oil possible oc
easlons, when II was for his benefit or aid, open
or hidden support OF Democracy, iaIlng bare the
honorable means he took TO become Mayor, how
no was ousted from that Office by Gllbcrt Pills
| bury, In whose place the speaker leveral times
ardently wished the Hon. q. w. Cltrk had con-
| tinued. He also stated his determination
to make collection for the benefit OF gentle
man styled the Hon. d. T. CorbIn tLaughter.l
After this he narrated, in very patlftic language.
his connection with the Confederacy, the risks he
raL II Texas while serving the Omitted States.
wlelo he had been, ho said, baptized in blood o
Republican. He concluded by saying that,
though Mr.. @. w.'Cark may not have been u Rc
publican before, lie was glad 10 leau that for one
night ut leaSt he WAS O true nnd sRterc one, and,