The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-10-12
THE CITY FOR REFORM.
GRAND RALLY OF THE PEOPLE.
HAMPTON AND BUTLER on THE HUsT1NGs
PROMPT REPRESSION OF AN AT.
TEMPTTo DISTURB THE
ETING.
THE SPEC C H Es, &c.

It has been long since Charleston hos wit
messed so imposing gathering OF her people
as that which formed the Union Reform mass
meeting last night, in front of the ChariesDn
Hotel. The stand, gaily decked With flags,
and brilliantly Illuminated with gas Jets, the
speakers uttering earnest aud burning words
Of eloquence and patriotism, and the vast sea
of faces filling Meeting street, from Hayne to
Hasel, and crowdlng every inch OF the spa
cious porticos of the hotel, made up q scene
well calculated to encourage the friends Of
honest government. The assemblage must
have Included, at the lowest estimate, five
thousand persons, embracing all classes of our
citizens At o'clock, stirring air from
Mitehell's Band heralded the approach of the
speakers, who soon after appeared upon the
stand.
On motion of Mr.. E. T.. Roche, the meeting
was called to order, and the following officers
were chosen:
Presldent-Hon. Thomas Y. Simons.
Vice Presidents W. 8. Henerey, Arch
ibald Cameron, James Cossroye, Henry Gour-
din, R. E. Dereef, E. D. Tanning, Joseph Ed
mondston, D. F.. Fleming. Robert Gordon,
Elias Garden, Alva Gage, Colonel B. B. Rut-
ledge, E. W. Marshall, Alex. Melchers, Robert
Morrison, John F. O'Nelll, q. B. olney, NJ. H.
Nathan, T. R. Tully, J. T. Welsman, G. o.
Witte, steadman Yeadon, George s. Hacker.
secretaries-Wllliam Aiken Kelly, W. A.
Zimmerman, NARROW Cochran.
On taking the chair Colonel Slmons invited
the vice-presidents and secretaries to take
seats on the stand, and spoke as follows:
REMARKS OF COLONEL sINoNs.
It has been said that the voice OF South Car
olina is dead. Tonight will show that the
neople of South Carolina are awake to their
trne interests, and are prepared to secure
Government which will not be disgrace to
fi1ture ages, and which will not be transmit
ted to their children with dlshonor. Our faith
ers of the frs; revolution were actuated 6y
the same hopes and desires as we are now. We
are determined to have free ballot and rep
resentative government, and to-day, from the
mountain to the seaboard, over every section
of the State, the people of South Carolina, all
classes and all races, so far as may be, are de-
termIned once more to have government Of
which they will not be ashamed. Ny country
men. from every section OF South Carolina
comes the most encouraging, the most enthu-
siastic, and the most cheering news: Never
has South Carolina been In greater Puonc peru
than that which now hangs over her people
Two wears under government which never
represented the people; two years Of exorbi-
talt and unlimited taxation, inaugurated by q
venal Legislature; two years under system OF
tyranny unexampled In the history OF the
world.
THere the speaker was interrupted by some
of the Ring minions, who yainly en6eavored
to create row, but as soon as order was re.
stored he resumed.1
NV countrymen, this very interruption
shows the character Of the party In power:
They desire neither an honest expression CT
opinion nor an honest vote. But to resume.
The people Of South Carolina have written on
their platform sentiment that may be en-
dorsed by every citizen OF the State-Union
and Reform-and they have nominated as
their candidate tor Governor gentleman
who has been endorsed by the Bar OF
Charleston. and by community which
he has officially served with honor and
rectitude. They have selected . as their
candidate for Lieutenant Governor gentle
man who has proved his devotion TO his
mother State on every occasion, and who is as
distinguished q patriot In time Of peace as
he was distinguished as soldier In time oil
war CCheers.] congratulate the people OF
this section Of South Carolina, that ok last the
from the mountains to the seaboard there
comes the same intelligence, that the uprising
of the people in behalf of their rights is uni
versal In the two years which are passing
away we look upon q picture of decentralization
| and tlebasement such as has never before been
witnessed in this State. But, thanks TO our
distinguished standard-bearers, one OF whom!
will address us this evening, harmony and
enthusiasm has been aroused which promises
lion md /
the citizens Of Charleston TO be fully Impress.
| ed with the duty which deyolves upon them
| to see to 1t that there Is O ieir ballot and an
honest count, and when the election Is de.
clared, the joyous cry will ring out from every
portion of the State South Carolina Is once
more free, regenerated and dlsenthralled
| [Great cheering.]
Wade Hampton to the meeting. He was re,
ceired with long-continued demonstrations Of
applause, and spoke as follows:
| REMARKS OF GENERAL WADE HAMPTON.
Fsllo,o-citizens of fCharleston-I hardly think,
that In this city OF my birth, The colored pe0,
ule. whom have known from infancy, WILL
refuse me O. hearing. Because was one ol
the first men In the South who, Immediately
after the surrender, addressed your race
Many of you will remember, that at the In
stance OF some of those who are now your rep.
resentatives In the Legislature, adQreSSG
large meetings OF the citizens of Columbia and
elsewhere, and on all OF those occasions II
was my endeavor to address you as friends
in whose welfare had an abiding Interest: |
need not add that still cherish the same feel
ings. and would not undo, If had 1t In my
mower, any act which secured your emancipa-
tion. I had no idea of speaking on this occa-
sion, and only came upon the platform at the
request OF my honored friends, but have pre-,
pared q letter which announces my hearty ana
cordial endorsement of the present action OF
the people of south Carolina, anu
propose 10 leave my friend, General Butler,
TO say what am sure this occasion VIII evoke
from every honest man identihed Win Che
prosperity of South Carolina. l nave oRt q
single remark To make, whether you agree
with me OF not. l beg you, boln white anu
colored citizens, to conduct this elecllon IN
fair and peaceable manner: Vote 1or the can
didates OF your choice, and for one am ready
TO saw that, If under such circumstances, equal
privileges being accorded to oil and equal
honor being observed at the ballot boX. VIII
shoulder my musket among the 1rsC 10
aid in the preservation OF peace. L6reat
applause.] But / tell YOU, fellow-cltlzens,
further that If that party which has grown
desnerate with power attempt to tamper with
the ballot-box, there will be bloodshed, and
The fault will not rest with us. The people
are determined 10 have q fair election or a
free fight. I care not what may be the plat
form OF the Reform party when see IN It that
nIonk which looks TO the restoration OF the
State and its recovery from those who have
made its resources the object OF their
nlunder. The Reform party may not last
80, hanouap whpc lis nraQd purpose