The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-08-17

A platform, with seats for about twenty
persons, had been prepared, and band
of music in attendance. Music an
nounced the approach of the hour for
meeting, and tho crowd gathered in
quietly to tho number of about 2, 500, O
considerable portion of whom wore
colored. Among those occupying seats
on the stage, we noticed, besides Col. T.
w. MeNIastor, who presided over and
conducted the meeting, and Judge r.
B. Carpenter, the centre of the occasion,
Gen. J. B. Kershaw, Gen. W. x. Easloy.
of Greenvillo, Gen. Arthur, of Licking
ton, Gen. w. J. Taylor, Major z. W.
Seibcls, tho Rev. DR.. O'Connell, the
Rev. P. J. Shand, Col. J. E. Bacon and
Messrs. G. P. Pelham, Jonas Byrd,
(colored,) Edward Hope, r. Holloway,
(colorcd,) and Jesse Dubard.
When the music paused, at II o'clock,
Col. McMaster stepped forward and
opened the meeting, in graceful and
forcible speech Of five minutes. He
characterized this as the most important
have wished and hoped and waited for
peace; but our enemies-the enemies OF
tho State-have combined to array the
colored race against the white. We
have waited under the most trying cir
Our people destitute md our capitalists
Impoverished, they have quietly waited,
and hoped for better things. Better
things havc not come
At this iuncture, the Reform move
ment was inaugnratcd to remedy these
evils, if possible; to purify the admins
tration, and to save the State from utter
ruin. The movement seeks to unite all
honest mon, of both colors, in one body
10 oppose tho corruption Of the party in
power. It's characteristic is to hate
wrong and to love right; to hate injustice
aud oppression, and to loyo justice and
law and order and equal rights to all
men. Tho leaders Of this Union Reform
Party are to be presented to the voters
of Richland County to-day, who arc ex
pected to hear all they have to say; to
reject the bad and to accept the good
to hear all things and hold fast that
which is good. It has been tauntingly
said, that South Carolinians are proud
people, and look with disfavor upon all
new -comcrs This is untrue. It is true,
however, that We despise and denounce
set of men who have como among us
who have come among us rs wolves III
sleeps clothing-whoh have come to take
advantage Of our unfortun nate situation !;
to dclude the ignorant Of our people,
and to enrich themselves at tho expense
of our impoverished Statc. But we well
como tho immigrant-tho honest man,
who comes among us to become bona
fle citizen, and to improve and develop
the country, as we'll as to benefit himself
and rs means Of beneftting bimself-
no matter what his politics may be, nor
his race, nor the land of his birth; and
we will givo him the right hand of friend
ship and fellowship, earnestly, honestly,
and in good faith. The right of immi-
grafton is freely accorded to ALL -Four
years ago, thoro came among us n man,
in one of the branches of the judiciary.
We looked upon him rs an enemy. We
hated him, because we presumed that he
had come, us we knew others had done,
to swell tho ranks Of our opprcssors. He
rose to higher position, through the
favor Of the Legislature; aud i n this new
position, we found him worthy. The
Legislature had seen fit to increase his
hOnOrS, and We found the State The gain
or by the step. He was just as q Judge;
and this now movement decided to elect
him it's standard bearer. He was worthy
Of confidence then. Is he not worthy
now? We invited him to lead our cause.
We said to him, "You have done we'll;
VIC can trust you. You have shown your
self to be truo man. We need such
for our leader He resigned his high
and honorable Office, to become your
standard -bearer-to saye the State-to
lead honest men to victory. He stepped
forward at the sacrifice OF all his official
advantages, to serve us and you. That
man, I have the honor to introduce to
you now-tho Hon. r. B. Carpenter.
Judge Carpenter stepped forward, and
addressing tho President Of tho meeting
and the gentlemen Of Richland County,
cravcd thoir attention for littlo time.
Flo had beon travelling SO much that ho
was fatigued, and should not detain them
long He was glad that the Committee
had done, rs was done in olden time, in
keeping their best wines for tho last.
He was tho Union Reform candidate of
South Carolina. Had assumed the posi-