The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-11-23
UNION REP UBLICAN MEETING.
OF Free speech-The Gag Put Upon
Bowen.

The Military Hall was last night the scene OF
rich burlesque which could not be excelled even
by the famous Newcomb Mlnstreis.
call for mass meeting Of the Union Republ-
can party was issued by 7. M. Holiness the county
chairman, and by half-past p. N, the hour
designated there were about 400 persons in at
tendance, mostly colored Among the shining
lights were Senator Sawyer, Congressman Bowen,
United States Marshal Johnson, Collector Clark,
Tim Hurley, T. j., J. G. and E. W. NJ Mackey and
Wolfe.
The ostenslble purpose Of the meeting was to
enable Bowen to vindicate his fair fame before
his fellowcitizens, in which holy cause he was to
be aided and abetted by Mr.. Sawyer 1t was ex-
pected that some alusion would be made to the
Mackeys, and that clan came prepared to do bat
tie for their cause. In the early part OF the meet
ing the audience were divided In small groups,
and the omnipresent T. J. was seen gliding in
and out, whispering to his adherents Of the Loyal
League, and evidently preparing for ten strike.
About O'Clock voice from one OF the groups
moved that the meeting be organized by T. J.
Mackey taking the chair. That individual started
for the goal but was met on the stage by I. M.
Holmes, the ostensibe chairman Of the meeting.
Each mounted from chairs to tables, and vainly
sought to obtain hearing, for as one would
essay few remarks he would be raped down,
while the hall resounded with cries, yells
and cot calls The different leaders OF the
party crowded upon the stage, and for a
while q perfect pandemonium prevailed.
Each speaker claimed free speech as his
right, and as doctrine Of the Republican
party, and certainly the most Intense Republican
| must have conceded that point as granted; for
Babel never witnessed greater confusion OF
tongues. Cheers were given for Bowen, Hackey
and SAWYER, but neither claimant for the chair
would yield, and the prospect was gloomy. At
this iuncture the speaker OF the third house was
seen elbowing his way to the stage. An agile
leap landed him on q table, and "his syren tongue
and speaking eyes soon hushed the noise and
soothed to peace" Tim was evidently the master
Of the situation, and for while held the turou-
lent mob under command; but motion to divide
the house proved that the Mackey adherents were
IN the majority, and the shouts and yeils Wero re-
commenced.
After wild efforts and frantic gesticulation,
Bowen succeeded In quelling the noise for Q mo-
ment, and stated that he had no objections to
Mackey's presiding, and there was prospect OF
q calm when Holmes, the disappointed chairman,
asked hearing. This started the ieaguers once
more, and for several minutes the noise was 1ear-
full Every one was yelling at the top OF their
voices, when United States Senator Sawyer came
to the front and called until his voice was hoarse.
He said she would be heard; that he was not pre-
pared to submit to tyrannica demagogues; that
the meeting was called by the county chairman,
| ha nntd a
T. J. Mackey that piece Of delicacy should pre-
vent him from attempting to preside. In all the
past political contests 1t could never be affirmed
that Dr. Mackey's opponents had gone so far as
to disturb meeting by brutal conduct"
TT. Mackey responded bitterly, claiming that
the crowd were not paid, but came to stand by
those that stood by them. Another attempt was
then made to organize under Maokey as chair
man, and +. G. Miller was nominated as secre-
tary At this bedlam again broke loose, the TWO
factions vieing with each other In yeiis, and 10
add 10 the tumult, some insane being, VINO
Thought that emusic had charms to soothe the
sayage.n commenced footing on penny trum-
net. The situation was desperate but Tim Hur-
lev came gallantly to the rescue, and throwing
himself In the breach, with Mlshaw in the centre
and T. J. on his right, wildly called to order The
novel appearance OF the trio was increased pJ
T. j., who gravely held light in front OF Tim
that all might see man. The first question
electrified the audience, for Tim grayely asked
show many were present who, when the meeting
adjourned, would take drink With him." A
glass of water being handed to him, he held IT
aloft and said in solemn and pathetic tones that
he never took anything stronger. cry OF "are
you sure that is not morphine" brought down the
house. and it being then after O'Clock, and the
prospect of any compromise being inanitesimal,
our reporter left while cries of morphine" and
wells for every Republican patriot from Lafayette
Lion to Sam Dickerson, rang through the hal.
The object OF the meeting was completely frus-
trated by It. j. Mackcy, who had called meeting
of the Union League at an early hour In the even
ing, and came prepared to put the gag on Bowen.
What the latter now thinks of his Charleston con-
stituents is probably what the Democratic party
think OF him, or as the lamented A. Ward said,
.sThey are pretty much OF o muchness." The
chance for o vindcation Of the Democratic asper-
slons is gone at least until after the session OF
Congress, and then another buresque may be an
tlcipated.
NJ ~