The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-09-14
POLITICS IN oRANGEBURe:
A RARE AND RoUs1NG GATHERING.
The Cost of the Trial Justice System.

TFRoM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT
ORANGEBURG, September II.
sales-day in Orangeburg, on the 9th instant,
was day OF general gathering. Not that
there was any property for sale, but it having
been announced that Reform in the State, and
not funds for the sheriff, was demanded,
everybody came and brought his friend.
The crowd collected In the Courthouse
SQUARE at about IL NJ, and shortly after Col
onel Paul 8. Fielder, chairman, introduced
Colonel Benz. H. Rutledge, Of Charleston fame,
who, thoroughly master Of his subject, enter
tained his audience in a speech of nearly an
hours length. 1t was listened to with marked
attention and great applause. The people
were respectful and no attempt was made to
interrupt him once. His speech would well
deserve to be written. Facts and statistics
with which 1t were replete should be circula-
ted and generally read. His explanation OF
the origin, system. and operation OF taxation
for reform, was lucid and concise; so plain that
the simplest mind in the audience could un-
derstand And i believe 1t was generally
comprehended, as was his whole speech. And
have no doubt that it will effect good wher-
ever one is allowed to think over 1t for him
self.
At the close of Colonel .Rutledge's speech,
by particular request, one Byass, colored
man, arose. If you ask me who he is simply
can't tell you. don't think he Is any kin 20
"Byass' pale ale." Some one asked who he was,
and the reply was he was sent on from some
Northern State by express, c. 0. D., to ha-
ranghe on this campaign and stir up things
rOrpiokua "
Well. imported Byass arose to speak. And
in about two minutes and quarter he had
so mixed up taxation and trade, statistics and
Scott, Radcallsm and rascality, Ring and Re-
form, thieving and things generally, that his
own grandfather, II he ever had one, would
have been surprised. He would have had a
swimming in the head, and lost all count as to
the year when the s'Mayhower" brought
over that precious little tea party-for-
got what was the current rate of prices
Of able-bodied aeld-hands, shortly after that
little tea-party went into that 'inhuman and
diabolical trade of human flesh and blood"
and, in fact, would have been disposed to
question the location OF Plymouth Rock, the
Mayfiower herself, and his own identity even.
dry and divers of his blood relatives, Through
Ham, and having exhausted his hour. with
many thanks for Reform courtesy, bowed him
self of the stand. One long, colored indlvid-.
llal then begged to be heard. The meeting,
amiably disposed, heard him. What he said,
can't inform you. / have yet to ind one
who knows. am decidedly of the opinion,
however, that 80 far from The audience un-
derstanding him, he himself has not the faint
est conception to this hour as to which party
he was deslrious of advocating, or what he
wanted personally.
Hon. A. P. Aldrich next arose. His sono-
rous voice and splendid delivery instantly
commanded perfect attention. The Judge had
evidently studied the subject with that care
and Thought which its great vital importance
so well demands He was never happier IN
anv public speech 1t was full of thought and
pertinent suggestions. But / don't know that,
taken as a whole speech, 1t had the telling Ell
feet which his ready repartee and replies had
upon this peculiar audience. The leaders OF
the antl-Reform party here had evidently held
back in order to confuse and laugh MIN OH
with Interruptions, and hy putting to him
problems of the highest mathematical finish.
There was no rude Interruption; that is, so far
as manner goes. But Byass and Saspor-
tas legged on by others who were too
puny to talk themselves) piled the Judge
with question upon question at the close
of every other sentence, lin this way Byass
got full hour more,) each OF which was aa-
swered and solved by the speaker, with the
most perfect good humor, grace and success.
He never failed in one single reply TO satlsfy
the crowd and silence the questoner for that
time, or turn the laugh on him. His effort was
a decided hit. 1 have heard Of colored men
since who spoke as though he had solved many
doubts, and satisfied them Of things OF which
they knew not before. At the close OF Judge
Aldrich's speech, the chairman adjourned Ine
meeting, and Immediately thcreupon the eX,
cltable young man Myers jumped on the stand
The s tie lad, informed you, swore he would
Eor Rt,flQ hQranOnQ6
such Of the crowd as remained. l did not
hear his remarks. Being in the open air, one
was at liberty to leave when one pleased, with
out disturbing the congregation. left. l
learn he was excited The next ] heard OF
him he was '!sidling,' not running, "sidling'
rapidly from the stand; calling loudly for pro
lection, and leaving his new hat behind. This
remarkable denouemenr was caused by some
imprudent man in the crowd drawing pistol,
and objectlng TO another imprndent man CIV
ing the lie direct, (haying hrst knocked down
I'd imprudent man therefor.) So hear-dldnt
see it-only saw the rush of. and know tnaC
I'D imprudent' indicted list impruuent' LOT
assault and battery. ,u,o,,oo
Great expectations hal oeen entertalheu
that Mr. Thomson H. Cooke would address tue
meeting. 1t was said he was pining for the
opportunity. HE is candidate lor the Leg
islature. in which respectable body, without
funds, he hopes he can better secure his elec-
lion for the vacancy on the bench. He re-
ceived five votes at the last sesson-enough
TO encourage vast hopes.l But though he
took extensive notes Of the Judges speech,
and was urged to reply, he said moth
ing His pining had been too much for his
health, and his friends expectations were dis.
appointed. He didn't come mp to time. His
enthusiastic friends say they had right to ex-
pect that one who wanted to be Judge would
certainly meet and demolish one who only
had been a judge, particularly when the latter
had been rsa Tor doing his daty @ere ReG
Gals say that to-morrow:s nomination VII.
leave him out. He will be obliged to stump
on his merits alone. Pity because he was
strong Democrat in ls6s-that is to say, me ne