The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-10-08
Reform Gathering at Loesville.


the interests of reform. Some half
dozen or more speakers had been invited
to address the people, but owing to the
fact that most of them had appointments
on the following Monday, at such points
in the State that they could not reach
them without starting on Saturday, only
Judge Bacon and the Rev. Jonas Byrd
came, and Mt the last moment Mr.. Fl. w.
Rice, of Lexington Court House. was re-
quested to speak The rain had been
pouring from an early hour, but at 12
m., m audience of about 400 Of both
races assembled. The meeting was
called to order by that staunch aud we'll
tried citizen, General Paul Quattlebaum.
Most of the audience anG the speakers
were under cover, but portion had to
stand or sit in the open mir, notwith-
standing the rnin. Mr.. Rice was the
first speaker. Hc began By saying that
ho was new hand at public speaking,
or rather talking, ms he called it; that it
was no time for oratory, but calm and
deliberate argument He vindicated and
explained the Union Reform Platform;
reviewed the State Government, Consti-
tuition anu laws; contrasting the radical
theories and practice; reviewed the land
commission Act, the trial justices Act,
the Act for free schools, the Act for
organization of militia, and action of
Scott L Co., in raising and arm;Hg negro
companies, &C., sc. We can only men
ton the main points. Mr.. Rice spoke
one hour and thrce-quarters. The speech
was one of great power.
Judge Bacon followed for nn hour. He
began by saying that if that was spe-
cimen of Mr.. Rice as o beginner, that
with a little practice he would rival
Judge Carpenter himself. Judge Bacon
reviewed the history of slavery, and con-
tended that tho Northern people, having
brought the Africans here, that it was an
act OF kindness and humanity for the
Southerners to buy them and take caro-
of them; showed tho action of tho North
ern people in first selling their slaves to
tho South and afterwards passing eman-
cipation Acts for their States. He review
ed tho promises of present radicals of
State Government to the colored people,
and showed their deceptions He told
many laughable anecdotes; showed the
| working of the land commission in his
County. Many other admirable points
which We do not now remember. Judge
Bacon deserves the thanks of the farmers
about hero. for the manner in which lie
talked to the colored people in regard to
planting. 1t is singular fact that nei-
ther he nor Mr.. Rice nor Gen. Quattle-
baum mentioned the fact that Judge
Bacon was our candidate for Congress.
So much devoted to the general cause,
thcy forgot all about individual interests.
Last came the Rev. Jonas Byrd. The
| impression created by this venerable old
| colored man was remarkable. His calm,
quiet, dignified enunciation of his rea
sons for going with the Reformers; his
enthusiasm for the good cause; his GER
tainty of the defeat of Scott & Co.; the
unusual spectacle to our people of q CO.
lored speaker, who said anything olse
than the usual teachings of the Ring; all
and everything about him contributed to
the effect. Our people, after his speech,
crowded around and grasped his hand,
and congratulated him and themselves
on hearing such sentiments from ono of
his race.
At p. M. nll went to dinner, and
found everything in abundance. After
dinner, dance came off, and orr fair
women (who lead all tho spcakcrs) seem.
ed to appear very enchanting, to Judge
Bacon, in particular. Not content with
looking on, he took charge of ceremonies
and continued until late hour to cnll
ont, and ut intervals, to join in the
dance. Altogether, wo had q glorious
and pleasant day, Notwithstanding the
continued rain. Our white people are n
unit in regard 10 the Scott Ring, and
will vote solidly for Union and Reform
our colored people are still, to great
extent, disposed to go with the radicals
Still We arc making rapid inroads, and
hope to give good account Of them on
the 10TH
To the Committee of Arrangements,
Messrs. Jasper S. Derrick. S. Fred
Hendrix, Ed. Lee and d. D. Mitchell,
and to those who wcro so active in get
ting up the barbecue, the thanks of our
people are due for tho success Of the
whole affair. LEESVILLE.
Yesterday the radicals, in Convention,
nominated the following:
Legis1ature-Simon Melton Simons, J.
Solomon Hendrix.
Judge Of Probato-L. Il. Boozer, son
Of Judge Boozer
School Commissioner-Rc Gross
(Ountv Gon,