The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1870-10-11
COLUMBIA, s. G..
Tuesday Morning. 0otober IL. 1870.
Tho Meeting On eesardsy Evening
Tho Present Regime Axraigncd---A
Frcc Ballot ana a, Fatr Count De-


The meeting Of Saturday night we
have already referred to. bnt it demands
at our hands O more formal notice. We
regret that no stenographer was present
to put down the words that were spoken
uer6atim end lterdtim. The words that
were uttered by Gen. Butler in his sarraign-
ment were words of earnest conviction,
and az he rung out charge after charge,
he accompanied his afirmations with the
evidence of the record. We propose
now to give an outline of the remarks
made by Tho Chairman of the meeting
and by the two speakers OH the occasion.
Col. Thomas. on taking the chair, said,
in effect, that it was the duty and the
right of the people at their pleasure to
assemble together to hear the discussion
of public measures, and to call in ques-
ton the acts of their public servants. In
that spirit this meeting had originated,
and he trusted that, in that spirit, the
people would bear themselvers in the
canvass now dsawing to its close. Doubts
of fair election aud an honest count
ballot boxes had been most unfairly and
unwisely and unjustly placed almost ex-
clusively in the hands of the members of
one of tho political parties of tho State,
and in the hands of many who were
deemed the unscrupulous tools of par
tial and preiudioed Executive. He had
this to say: A political crisis is upon US,
upon which hinge the interests of our
families and ourselves. and the general
veal of the State. Under the laws of
the State, this election is about to take
place. Without infringing upon the
rights of others, We should maintain our
own firmly and fearlessly. Welntend to
have fair ballot. We must further de-
mand, in justice to all, fair count IN
we shall fairly win the victory, we must
enjoy the honor and fruits thereof. If
we shall lawfully win the raco, we must
grasp the prize. To these propositions
the meeting assented with forvid feeling
and the strongest emphasis.
Judge Bacon, the Reform candidate
for Congress, was then introduced.
Judge Bacon said that, having already
addressed his fellow-citizens in this city,
before the Columbia Hotel, he regarded
it unnecessary to speak at length. Be-
sides, he was aware the crowd desired to
proceeded to say that the prospects for q
Reform triumph were most encouraging.
He had been in the mountains and on
the water line, and the spirit was the
same in the town clothed in green, and
sitting like gem in the mountains, as in
that beautiful city washed by the waves
of the resounding ocean. He said that
some seemed to think that Reform was
new thing. But not so. 1t had done its
work in the East, and accomplished its
mission in the West And now it was
moving with giant strides and giant
strength to the redemption of our coun-
try and our State. He had no fight to
make with General Grant. General
Grant led the hosts that constrained us
to give up the fight at Appomattox. Grant
was u great man, because no one but q
great mon, even with the advantage of
numbers, could have overcome the noble
army of Northern Virginia and its thrice
noble Lee. Moreover, Gen. Grant was
author of a noble and acceptable senti.
mcnt. When peace was the aspiration
OF every honest heart in this land-when
the wild waves of war had passed over
our distracted country, and left in the
peace, General Grant said, "LET US
unwilling to respond to this sentiment,
and that one was the Executive of South
Carolina. He it was who, when men
sought peace here in South Carolina
be it was who spoke at Washington,
called South Carolina nest of assassins,
and proclaimed that Winchester rifle
law was the best law for South Caro-
lima. Such O man was Governor Scott
and let him go and find in Whittemore
congenial company. But this we may say:
History is constantly repeatingitself, aud
teaches us that no ruler, however, power
full, ever armed his soldiers against their
own people, who did not, sooner or later,
pay the penalty of his rashness.
There was u great king, not many
years ago, who ruled the greatest and
most gallant nation upon earth. He
was no adventnrer that chance had
brought to power, but in his veMs
flowed the blood of q long line of sovAl
reigns; his reign was inaugurated in thc>
hearts and affections of his people; but
soon. drunk with power and dazzled
with greatness he trnmplod rDon the