The Greenville enterprise. [volume] (Greenville, S.C.) 1870-1873, 1872-11-20
"REMINISCENCES
PU BLIC-. M EN-.
[Continued from las. Week.1
PHILADELPHIA CoNvENTIoN-coN>
TIEUED. =.
y kx.eoykRNoe D. y. rERnY

moses, OclVnel Thcs. Y. Simmons, COLONEL
Campbell, Mr.. Shingler, and other delegates
from South Carolina, arrived. From my
menoranda, 1t seems the Convention did not
meet till Tuesday. Our parlor was filed with
visitors all day, and till late hour at night.
Tuesday morning the Massachusetts, sdeloga-
ton called In q body to pay their respects to
the South Carolina delegation. They were
very cordial and kind, aud really seemed to
feel as ifthey were greeting old fr ends. They
were all Democrats, who had been pefsecuted
for their sympathy with the South, and they
had right to expect a cordial welcome from
US Wc gave Utmost gratefully and cheerful
". They proposed that We should 70 up to
the Convention together. When we got there,
MT Spoaord, a Massachusetts delegate, and q
most charming gentleman, suggested that we
two delegations should 60 into tho Convention
arn-in>arm. It was so announced from the
stand by Governor Randall. The Convention
rose )and cheered us most vociferously, and
made us march round the room, SO that all
cogld see tho harmonious and affectionate
spectacle. Immediately this was telegraphed
to President johnson, and Il affected him to
tears Of joy! The effect was most happy on
the Convention and throughout the country.
On taking the chairs, General Dix, of New
York, made q most admirable address to the
Convention. How little did we then expect
to see him, after delivering such patriotic
speech, go over to the Republican party, with
in few years, and become their renegade
candidate for Governor of New York. How
true it is, that most politicians are mere gam>
Tiers, playing for success, without'any regard
to the interest of their country, aud with as
little principle as the veriest black leg. Sem
ator Dooittle was appointed President Of the
Convention, and made a most happy, appro-
propriate and patriotic address. The wigwam
in which We were assembled was huge build
ing, gotten up for the occasion, and could ac.
commodate ten thousand persons. 1t was con-
structed of rough plank and badly covered -
The rain began to fall pretty heavy, and the
ladies found their situation anything but
pleasant.
In the evening, Governor Orr, Gen. McGow>
an and myself were invited by Gov. Bigler to
dine with Maj, James. Mr.. Clymcr, the Dem.
ecratic candidate for Governor of Pennsylvn-
mia, and others, were present. The Major in.
sisted that should come and stay with him,
and bring friend with me. He said he had
two rooms ready for us. But declied his
hospitality, as was unwilling to leave the
very pleasant company at the hotel. That
night was invited to make speech in the
room Of the National Union Club. There
were fifteen hundred persons present and new
or before had L addressed so enthusiastic an
audience. L was followed by Mr.. Perrin, of
New York, in one of the most humorous speech
es ever listened to. Mr.. Cleveland, of Harts
ford, then addressed the meeting, and we ad.
journed.
Wednesday tho South Carolina delegation
went to return the visit of the Massachusetts,.
We were met most cordially, and treated to
champagne in great abundance. Maj. Gen.
Custer said to Gen. Mcaowan: ave were
looking at each other in Virginia three or four
years at distance, and am now happy TO
take nearer view of you." In going to the
wigwam, Judge Wardlaw was robbed of his
pocket book. containing i've hundred dollars,
and Col. Campbell Of his diamond brcast-pin
of great value.
was appointed On the Committee of Ad.
dress and Resolutions, which assembled that
evening at the Continental hotel, sixty or sew
enty in numbers, and appointed a sub. com.
mittee to consider Of the matters referred TO
them and report. I was on this sub commit.
tee, and had long sitting. Mr.. Raymond,
OF New York, had prepared an address, which
was read and about one third, the historical
part, was stricken out. In every instance
where Southern delegate proposed an alter
alton, 1t was agreed to. 4...
Thursday the Convention met and received
the address and resolutions. They were
adopted amid great cheering. The whole
Convention rose to their feet, and the galleries
did the same. The ladies waved their white
bandkerchiefs, and elapped their little hands,
with lovely faces wreathed in smiles. The
picture, or photograph, of the Convention at
this period would have been beautiful indeed,
The ladies and gentlemen sitting or standing
close together in tho galleries, presented a
beautiful appearance, and looked liked mosaic
work, with different colors Of dresses, bonnets,
faces, &c, &c.
Friday evening the South Carolina deIega.
tion were invited by the Mayor Of the city to
dine with him and few friends. Mr.. Nc
Mikell aud seven gentlemen subscribed one
thousand dollars to furnish the dinner. It was
altogether the most magnificent dinner I had
ever sat down to. 1t was said that the Nay.
or, McMikell and his seven friends wore worth
eight millions ofdollars. They we're all Black
Republicans of the aeepest dye. Their hos,
pitality surprised every one. Gen. McCook, of
Ohio, said to me, he could excuse our going
iuto the Convention arm In arm with the Mas,
sachusetts delegation, for they were Demo-
Gratis, but our dining with the Black Repub-
lican Mayor of Philadelphia and his friends,
was too bad II was understood that no pol.
itics wero to be talked, but We all made po-
litiosi speeches, and they were received most
cordially. The Mayor said to Col. Campbell
and myself, that he begged us to understand
that in opposing President johnson, who had
deserted them and the Republican party North,
they wore not opposing the South. He wish.
cd the South restored to the Union. This was
said on taking leave Of him.