The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1874-10-21
PUBLIC MEETING SPEECH OF GEN,
MCGOWAN.

A large and enthusiastic meeting OF
our people was held in Knox's Hall OH
Saturday last-the Court House being
occupied by the County Convention-for
the purpose of hearing speech from
Gen. MCGOWAN, the nominee for Con-
gress by the late Conservative Conven'
tion, and of giving a popular endorse
ment of its actiou. = -
On motion of Mr.. Thonlos Crawford
HON. 1Hos. c. PERRIN
was called to the Chair, and motion d
Col. Cothran, w. A. Lee, Esq, was re-
quested to act as Secretary. The Chair
man in a brief and appropriate address
stated the object of the meeting, and SCI
forth the exigencies which had called
US together; paid q merited tribute t.
the character and ability Of the candi
date, whose nomination they had me-
to endorse, and urged that an earnes
and active effort III his behalf woule
ensure his election. -.
GEN. McGowAN's SPEECH.
Gen. McGowan was then called upor
and his appearance on the platform wa
greeted with enthusiastic applause
His speech on the occasion was one
the most able and effective of his lie
and elected hearty response from th'
audience a large proportion ,of whom
were colored people. We shall attemp
only brief syhopsiss ..'.- -
NOT A POLITICIAN. To-
He stated that he was not d politician
and for decade of years past had beef
devotihg himself to the profession o
the law. If therefore his remark!
shoiild be found irregular and desqlt0ry
he craved, the indulgence of his au
dience, and at the; same time assured
them that in sincerity and truth HI
would give expression to thought!
which for years had been stirring in hi
head, and to emotions which had beer
burning in his heart. Ea@" - (:
rat A. COMMAND. '.t.
He had been called from his retire
ment by body of his fellow-cttizen
in whose wisdom he could confide, ant
whose request came to him with tn
force of command. With this section
he was identified by lifetime of fift.
wears, and here he expected to die. Al
inexperienced youth, he had been sen
to the Legislature from Abbeville, ant
had there served for twelve years, ant
for three terms of service was elected
without finding it necessary to canvas
for the office; after the war he wa
elected to Congress, but was not allowed
to take his seat, and then devoted him
self to his profession, defending all
without regard to crime or person. A
he had toiled and labored in the past, s
he Ernuld do in the future. and pledged
himself to a faithful and impartial dis
charge of duty. 49,.
THE GOSPEL OF PEACE.
After q ten years ostracism, he d.
peared to-day to preach the gospel o
unity Ind fraternity-the restoration 20
civil and political rights to all classes %
our people. Had the work of construc
ton been entrusted to Generals Gran
and Lee it had been accomplished long
ago, and there was nothing to hinde
now the establishment Of lasting peac'
between the sections. He claimed II
be true exponent of the spirit of hi
section, and referred 10 his past ,recort
as showing better than professions, lii
willingness and ability to represent it
true interests. Born on the Saluda, hi
had served two years in the Mexican
and four years in the Confederate ser
vice, and at Appomatox had accepted
the situation in spirit and in truth, ant
had since devoted himself to promoting
fraternity between the sections ant
kindliness between the races, He wa
in every sense Of the word conserya
tive, and had abstained both In wore
and act from anything which Nigh
produce irritation and discord, -: