The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-08-10
THE STATE CANVASS.
THE Reform BALL ROLLING AND
GATHERING.
An Impromptu Meeting at Alston-Good
Attendance and Decided Success.
[FRoM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT

.
From the short notice given, it was not ex-
uected that there would be many persons pre-
sent; but such is the prevailing interestin the
Reform movement, and the intense indigna-
tlon excited everywhere by the astounding
disclosures OF the rascality Of the Scott Ring,
that one or two runners In brief time brought
together over FIVE thousand persons, more
than half of whom were of the colored popu-
lation.
Colonel E. w. Seibels, of Columbia, was first
introduced, and very gracefully opened the
discussion with kind words oil cheer to all.
He passed to review of the causes which
have led to our present oppressed and unfor-
tunate condition, and, while he claimed for the
South honesty, sincerity and truth In her
efforts to secure separate nationality, yet ne
thought great mistake was made by the
political leaders In South Carolina, when the
war was over, not to accept the inevitable re-
suit, viz: universal suffrage, and, with the
aid Of the enfranchised colored man, to pro.
ceed at once to organize an honest, faithful
and impartial State Government. He next ex-
posed the land commission swindle IN Lancas-
ter, and accounted for the sudden rise in GER
tain chemicals BY the great demand made for
them by the Scott Ring, In their hasty and
eager efforts to wash out, expunge and o6ltte.
rate the damning stain OF the s90.OOo-bond
robbery. Various other subjects were dis
c,ssed with eloqlence and force by Colonel
Seibes, and altogether his remarks made a
.haDpy impression upon the audience.
Judge Carpenter, the gallant and able STAN
dard.5earer of the Union Reform party, was
then introduced, and his appearance was wei
coined with enthusiastic applause. IL was eFi-
dent that he had been overworked, and IL Is u
lo1 no q
Ter have stood up so noby through the her
culcan lubors OF the campaign. Judge Car-
penter told the people that on account OF his
hoarseness he would only attempt q plain,
friendly talk in conversational style. But as
he proceeded, and his soul warmed up with
his theme, and his eye kindled with intellec-
tI1al fire. then were seen and felt again tnose
terrible blows from his keen Damascus blade
which. on other occasions, have carried
con nsternalion aud dismay to his enc.
miles, His counsels and earnest appeals;
to the colorpd people were well-timed
and we'll received, and their fruit will not be
wanting on the day Of election. With mas
ter hand he dissected, serlatlm, the members
of the Scott Ring, exposing their eHrontery,
vIeness and corruption, and dared any one OF
them, or any other person, then or at any other
proof. which he had In black and white, OF
their g,llt and ialamy. Eloquently and ably
did he urge the white people to appreciate the
Importance oc the contest; To give freely Of
their time and talents and means to secure
success; for 1t was an issue OF life and death to
them-an issue on which was staked honesty,
truth and an impartial government on the
one hand, and the most unblushing corruption,
indecency and oppressive taxation on the
other. At the close OF his remarkss, three
hearty cheers were given ior Carpenter and
Butler.
The colored people gathered close around
the stand, and gave marked attention TO the
furciDle ut,erances OF the Judge, and 1t was
evident that deep and favorable impression
was made upon their minds. This was seon
not only In tie cordial shaking OF hands with
the Judge, but in their earnest anu outspoken
declarations ailer the speaking was over.
was an ear-wltness to the following converse
tiun, between two colored men, as they were
retiring from the ground: swell, Sam, how
did you like tile talk ~ "Firstrate, frst-rate--
l tell you Jim I'm done with the league,
mean to vote for that Judge, and, If the Lord
spares me, ] mean 10 carry hundred votes
with me.r That was the spirit kindled, and
that is the spirit of the mountains everywhere.
Let every man 60 10 work. and continue to
work, earnestly and faithfully until after the
elections, and even more glorious victory
than has been achieved in the Old North State
will crown the noble efforts Of the honest men
of South Carolina. w. e. b.