The Beaufort Republican and Sea Island chronicle. [volume] (Beaufort, S.C.) 1869-1871, 1870-05-21
CHA r l. E. S T 0 N.
"Citizens' Party Mass Meeting" Pal.
pitating Reformers" in Council.


headings to the reports in this mornings Ne''s and
Courier, would come to the conclusion that some ex-
traordinary political phenomenon had occurred.
"The City Speaks" is the most attractive line in
the Ne,os and thrilled by the announcement, the
reader would, of course, glance rapidly over the
two or three columns of stale and maudlin stun
uttered by some weak political novices, and, giving
vent to his suspended respiration, might, We imag-
inc, have flung down the paper with contemptu-
Gus "Boshw For, in truth, the municipal articu-
lation as there sct forth, is of the yeres pufbal
order.
"The City Speaks" Charleston invites her sister
counties to join the movement" Stirring speeches
by White and Colored Men," "Great Enthusiasm"
says the Ne,os; and the poor Courier gasps out "
Monster Mass Meeting" The People Aroused,
"The June Convention" and so forth. NOW, 1t
may be that the country readers of the Ae'0s ana
Courier may doubt us (those who attended the
meeting will not) when we say that the "Citi1ens
Mass Meeting" at Hbernian Hall last night was
the most stupendous fzzle" that has yet occurred
in this city, and the reports given in the papers
aforesaid as distant from the truth the buoy at
the More ls from winnipeg.
At eight o'clock groups Of men began to assemble
in front of Hibernian Hail. and talk moodiy togeth-
er as people generally do at funeral. The gas
shone out brilliantly, inviting to the empty seats
but it needed the urging Of the whppersin to start
the gathering throng into the Hall. At about half
past eight the room, which holds eight or nine hun
dred persons, was we'll filed, large majority OF
those present being Republicans, colored and
white, who attended to be amused. The number
of those in the Hall, recognized as being actively
connected with the /" Citizens Party" movement,
was estimated at sixty or eighty, not more. A few
"palpitating Reformers occupied the platform.
The meeting was called to order by Mr. d. b.
Olney, who moved that Mr.. George Il. Walter take
the chair.
Mr.. George H. Walter took the chair, there being
no objection.
Mr.. Olney then read list Of Vice Presidents and
Secretaries, with request that the persons named
would act. - .f.1z---------s' --yr--tts
About half of the number oailed-some of wh5ts ,
were coored men-took their seats on the platfeEn,
adding much to its numerical attractiveness.
Mr.. Walter, the Chairman, then made brief
address, in which he pledged his hearty co-opera-
ton in carrying the "great movement" /" forward.
He ignored parties. This was not the hour to
talk of parties. The avalanche was upon us, and
he who did try to get from under deserved to be
sunk in oblivion. He urged the colored citizens to
Join with them, no matter what their party
affiliations Addressing them he said: "We look
upon you simply as fellow-citizens, who are like
ourselves interested in the welfare of the people,
and believe that you recognize the Importance Of
this movement simply as struggle between right
and wrong. When the fight is ouera riH De time
enough to talk about other issues (The @palpitating
reformers" cringed at this remark.) Mr.. Walter
continued so far as am concerned, know no
party afaliation, and whoever may be the man I
chosen at Columbia to carry our Gubernatorlai
standard, care not whether he be Republican or
a Democrat, if he be true, an honest man, ne
shall have my conscientious and hearty supPor."
Feeble applause
On Mr.. Walter taking his seat, Mr.. ]. Ann
strong, Jr., offered resolution appointing COM
mittee of nine to select delegates to the contsm-
plated June Convention. No one made any
objection, and the following gentlemen were ap- |
pointed committee by the chair: james Arm
strong, Jr, Hugh Ferguson, E. 81. jackson, A. jack
son. B. F. Evans, Jacob Smalls, MARROW Cochran,
William Black and Lawrence Smith.
Mr.. WE. Mikell being called for, arose and
made brief speech. He expressed his earnestness
in the great movement" and wished it God speed
He said he remembered the first day in South Caro-
aast his first ballot as citizen, and be
then went to the polls and voted for the man whom
he deemed the best and truest man, never asking
himselffor moment what the political views of
the candidate were He was glad to know that
when be is henceforth called upon to cast his ballot
for man, he shall not be compelled to ask whether
he is Wing, Democrat, or Republican, but wheth-
er he is worthy of the trust he seeks. "Whatever
may have been my opinions in former days, this
necessity has become an established fact-that men
are henceforth to be measured by their ability
alone" [Cheeringl
Before he closed Mr.. Mikell offered the following
resolution
Resolred, That we invite our fellow-citizens to
send representatives from their respective counties
to the State Convention which assemblies in Colum-
bia on the 18th of June next in order that the pol
icy then adopted for accomplishing the great work
of Retrenchment and Reform may be carried out
with harmony and with energy by all good cti-
zens.
No one objected, and the resolution was carried.
Mr.. R. S. Bruins was next called on, and made
speech, whose effectiveness was greatly aided by
gestures peculiar to his calling The burden of the
brief harangue was taxation, and before Mr.. Bruins
concluded the audience looked as if the tax on
their patience BY the speech outweighed the State,
National, City, Internal Revenue, and other taxes
put together he finally sat down.