The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1869-05-28
Second Day.

Before ten o'clock Yesterday morning
long line of men could be seen merg-
ing from every street leading toward
the capitol. A heavy column massed at
the steps on Cedar street toward the
south entrance of that monumental
structure, and were continually pouring
forward into the building. The porti-
cos, terraces and halls were crowded
with surging, seething human mass.
Starting into the capitol from the front,
our reporter had to elbow his way
through to the upper corridor leading
to that of the House of Representatives
About four thousand citizens and del
egates were eagerly waiting to gain en-
trance to the floor and galleries of the
Representative Hall. Turn in whatev-
er direction one might, he would see
swarms of men eXcitedly and vehc-
mently discussing the proceedings of
the previous day. Emphatic expressions,
the moving of arms in fierce gesticula-
tons. impatient stamping of feet, bois-
ferrous, unseemly and often most de-
grading obscenity, commingled with
derisive and icering laughter. were
freely INDUCED by delegates and friends
of either party.
The doors were swung open at half
past ten o'clock, and the dense throng
began to push for seats in the galleries
and floor of the hall.
Mr.. Cate. late Chairman of the State
Executive Committee, having determine
ed to possess himself Of the Chair rush
ed rather prccipitately toward the ros-
trum. He suddenly halted and stroked
his chin and looked queer. Did his
eyes deceive him, or was it some mys-
FERROUS phantom, that dared to rear its
horrid trout here in the Speakers chair.
He was perfectly astounded. There sat.
bolt upright, the impurturbable Pearne,
with the cool and placid air of q mat
ronly hen on nest. AS to how and
when the doctor obtained the seat was
for while matter of speculation. 1t
was said however, that he was let into
the hall at daylight by the friends of
Scnter. and had walked the hall from
one side to the other around the ros-
trum until the creaking of the door at
half past ten o'clock signaled him into
the chair. He kept his seat with an air
Of stole, and we are bound to say per-
feet dignity. A stranger to the dis
graceful proceedings of the previous
day could not, by Pearnc's demeanor,
have supposed that there had been any
contention with regard to the chair.
Pcarnc was now possessed of a gavel,
independent of the one which Cate had
monopolizcd and probably carried away
with him on the previous evening.
Cate now stationed himself upon the
right of Pcarne, and out came the miss
ing gavel
The hall and galleries were now COM
pletely crowded with promiscuous as
semblage of citizens and delegates. Per-
feet quiet reigned.
Cate raised his gavel, tapped it light
" upon the desk and said in a weak
tone of voice, that the meeting would
please come to order. Pearne, at the
same time, brought his gavel down
with more emphatic stroke and said
in deep bass tone, 1.-THE convention
will come to order."
Pearne-" Is Clay Newland, the Sec.
rotary, present." That gentleman, in
answer to the question, came forward
Cate" Peabody is the regular Sec.
retary, and there is no other" [Clamor,
and cries of "order! order!'l Then
the row commenced.
A Stokes delegate moved that the
convention adjourn sine die. The mo.
ton was seconded by Senter delegate
the question was put by both PearnC
and Cate, and unanimously carried with
tremendous and prolonged applause.
Pcarne now left the chair. lie had
hardly straighted up before Butler
looking as pale as a ghost and little
, weary, hurriedly slid into the chair, and
with an air of triumph and eXultation
seized Gates gavel and pounded it up
OH the desk in front. He was about t
speak, when loud yell accompanied by
groans, jecrs and derisive laughter from
the Scnter party, weakened his inten
ton. The Stokes party set up tremen
dous bowls of exultation. The shouts
, of the two parties commingled togeth
er sounded like the continuous roar o
heavy musketry. So deafening and over
whelming were the laundering echoe
: of the demoniacal and irrepressibl'
bowls that members were compelled tt
put their thumbs in their ears.
These disgraceful proceedings con
tinucd for some time, and the Stoke
men, amid the din and confusion, pro
ceeded to take an account for their man
, 1t was finally announced that sixty
four counties had cast their votes fol
Stokes" and he was declared the nom
inee, after which the row was renewed
, and kept up for some time. The dc
y lie was frequently passed between del
egatcs and pistols frequently drawn
!, Nothing but the presence of a heavy
police force prevented the affair cul
=, minating in terrible riot and blood
shed. We quote the Banners closing
paragraph:
EXAMINATIONS and recriminations were
now brought up by various delegates
9 and thrown into each others teeth in the
most reckless manner. OF this the
, whole convention seemed to have tired
Many manifested their disapprobatior
of this course with grimaces, nervous
gesticulations and impatient stamping
of the feet. The disgust of some O
the delegates was manifested by low
, growls, the gritting of teeth and curses
! in an undertone. The exposures hay.
ing gone rather at q greater length thar
was desired, delegate said, with al
oath to give it emphasis, that they
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