Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1875-08-05
Correspondence of the Yorkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, August

Correspondence of the YOrkville Enquirer.
LETTER FROM CHESTER.
CHESTER, August 2, 1875.
The colored population were considerably
excited the two days preceding the election.
On Monday Republican meeting was. held
in the Court House, at which Judge Mackey
and ex- Postmaster Richardson were the speak.
ers. The former occupied his time principal
ly in exposing Richardson's misdoings, while
the key note of the latter's harangue was fdel-
ity to the Republican party and its candidates.
He revived the kuklux ghost, but it wouldn't
scare "worth a cent"
Wednesday was day of great excitement.
Early in the morning, wagons, with cloth
adornments bearing the inscriptions, "Honest
John Walker" and "Give US Honest Men,"
and filled with the colored band and colored
men of the Walker persuasion, drove through
our streets. The welkin rang with merry
sounds of music, and continuous cries Of
"hurrah for Walker" Several rounds Of the
streets were made by the procession, their
shouts becoming louder, as the sun poured
down his scorchng rays. Stores were closed,
and proprietors and clerks entered with zeal
into the contest in behalf of the Conservative
candidate. The closing of bar-rooms prevent
ed an indulgence in Intoxicating liquors to
any very great extent. Still, as it will always
be the case when political excitement is great,
there was some "popskull' floating about,
which got the better of its unfortunate vic.
Tins. The colored vote at this box was not
so large as it has been on some occasions, and
the reason for their absence was attributed to
the advice of their leaders-to vote at the
country boxes and thus escape the Walker in
fuence. The scheme, however, was only par.
TALLY successful, for there was large number
of negroes in town, majority of whom voted
the Walker ticket. Wednesdays election was
the first time since reconstruction that the
color line has been broken in this county.
The enthusiasm Of the colored element for
Walker equaled that of the whites and their
vote is indicative of their willingness to unite
with the whites in the effort to obtain good
and honest government. A good feeling pre-
vailed throughout the day between Conserva-
tives and Republicans. Party zeal did not
overreach itself in single instance in inter-
fering with the freedom of the ballot box.
Though the whites worked like beavers, every
man, white or colored was allowed to vote
according to his own good will and pleasure.
No one had the slightest inclination to deny
to any voter the right Of casting his ballot as
he chose. The excitement of the election was,
as might have been expected, attended with
some animated and angry discussions. A diff
hculty between two negroes, growing out of
political differences, occasioned disturbance,
which at one time threatened to assume alarm
ing proportions. One of the colored combat
ants received dangerous wound from a pis-
tol shot in the abdomen, which may prove
mortal. The police authorities soon appeared
upon the ground, and succeeded in quieting
the disturbance. Walker, the Conservative
candidate, obtained majority over Richard
son at the town box of Eve hundred votes.
He also ran exceedingly we'll at those places
in the county where the whites made an ear.
nest effort in his behalf. At Lowrysville,
Walker received 95 votes; Richardson, l3S
votes. At Lewis Turn Out, Walker received
IS votes Richardson, 125 votes. At Torbits
Mill, Walker, 80 votes Richardson, So votes.
At Carmel Hill, Walker, 1873 votes; Rich.
ardsou, POP votes. At Mofat's Store, Walker,
SO votes Richardson, 139. Rich Hill gave
a majority of "a votes for Walker, and Ross
Vile gave him majority of IA votes. Lands
ford gave Richardson a majority of So votes.
The Conservatives secured the election of
their candidate by majority of nearly two
hundred votes. Thisis certainly great rev.
olution in political sentiment, when it is re-
membered that the Republicans have fire.
quently carried the county by majority of
about fifteen hundred votes. This result is
partly to be attributed to Richardson's un-
popularity among the colored element, but in
a far greater measure is it due to the earnest,
vigorous efforts of the whites, and especially
those of the town of Chester.
The victory was celebrated on Thursday
night by grand torch'light procession and
the firing of cannon The route of the pro-
cession was up Centre, through Main, down
Gadsden, up Valley and down Main streets.
The grand illumination, the roar Of artillery,
the stirring sounds of music, and the huzzas
that filled the air, combined to form scene
that will not soon be forgotten. The process
sion halted on Main street, when repeated calls
were made for Judge Mackey. The Judge
responded with readiness, and made speech
that called forth frequent cheers. He spoke
of the crossing of the political chasm in the
union between the races, and the happy re-
suits flowing from that union. He was fol-
lowed by Mr.. T. G. CASTOR in few appro-
pirate remarks. James Walter, colored, then
mounted the rostrum, but, as he himself said,
was "too far gone" to make a very edifying
address. The joll6cation then ended, and
the crowd dispersed.
The crops in the greater portion Of this
county are greatly in need of rain, though
there are some sections that have been favored
with abundant rains. Refreshing showers fell
in our town on Friday evening and yesterday
afternoon, which, while they Delightfully."- cooled
the atmosphere, were not sufficient to meet