The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-11-09
HAMPTON,S CLOSING. DAY.
A Brilliant Ovation to oul Chieftain In
Columbia. ,

General Wade Hampton closed his
canvass here to-day in one of the most
magnificent ovations ever rendered gu
bernatorial candidate The city was lit
orally covered with decorations, and the
principal thoroughfare. was studded with
triumphal arches, which were. again cov-
cred with notices, portraits and testoons
of evergreens. Nothing like the scene Of
to-day has occurred in Columbia, since
the reception of Marquis de Lafayette
upon his arrival here from France after
the Revolution. The day. was ushercd
in by the booming of a. salute and Yocif-
erous cheers and yells for Hampton and
reform" ...e,:. ~ III
:, A grand procession was formed at the
State House, which extended to the fair
grounds, at the opposite end Of the city,
where the speaking took place. Five
thousand voters, mounted and on foot,
were in line, including about 800 colored
Democrats, and no such enthusiasm has
ever before been witnessed. The nation
al flag was everywhere. 1t was matter
of amazement to outsiders where so much
of the Union bunting came from. 1t
Aoated in wayy folds from ropes extended
across the streets. 1t futtered in the
carriages, sparkled on the bosoms of the
ladies, and stuck jointly up from the hats
of every Carollnian, white or black, in
the procession. :. Even the horses and
mules testified their patriotism by wear
ing the Stars and Stripes in their head
gear. Some of the colored Hampton
Democrats were actually wrapped in the
national banner, to their intense gratifi-
cation and delight. There has rarely
been such an exhibition of patriotic de-
votion to flag and government as has
been seen here to-day. .r'
THE NOTICES AND INSCRIPTIONS.
Among the thousand notices which
met the eye and which strikingly illus
trated the character OF the campaign were
the following: Hampton and Home
Rule" This inscription. painted in'great
letters, was suspended over the street and
was Justify cleered as the procession
passed under it. On the reverse side
were the words "Tilden and the Union" !"
which also brought. forth the boistcrous
enthusiasm Of the crowds passing be
meath. Further down the street was an
other immense banner with the motto so
persistentiy advocated by Wade Hamp-
ton, equal Rights to Blacks and
Whites" The most beautifully decora-
ted arch across the street was that in
front of the military headquarters of the
Department of the South. 1t was adorned
with the portraits of the national and
State Democratic candidates and abound
ed with notices and Inscriptions, the
most prominent among which was South
Carolina owes a debt of gratitude to the
New York He, ald." The words were
handsomely and artistically inscribed on
q large sheet of blue satin fringed with
white lace, and placed conspicuously in
panel which made the keystone of the
arch. Around it were garlands and fes-
toons of evergreens, presenting one of
the neatest and most effective pictures Of
the occasion. In another portion of the
city there was flag with the words
"Hurrah for the New York Herald"
HAMPTON AND THE HERALD.
The enthusiastic demonstration in be-
half of the Herald evinces the apprecia-
tion of the people for its services, and is
one of the best indications of the power,
extended influence and great popularity
of the paper. Hampton has read its ed
itorials on every stump, and to-day there
is hardly citizen in South Carolina
with whom the Herald is not household
word. 1t is safe to estimate that there
were over $1,000 people at the meeting.
The order among the whites and their
colored coadjutors was excellent, but the
turbulence and prescription among the
colored republicans showed itself in a
manner that, in any city north of Mason
and Dixon's line, would have provoked
riot and bloodshed. On the other hand,
the forbearance and good humor of the
whites, and particularly the colored
Democrats, was, under the circumstances,
in the highest degree praiseworthy.
CoLoRED DIssENTIENTs.
AS the procession passed along the
streets, crowds of colored men and
women, congregated on the corners, in
dulged in obscenity, curses and insult to
those of their own race who were in the
line. The women were the most violent.
They yelled, "Rah for Chamlin, damn
Hampton" "Pull the damn nigger of
de horse. Kill him." In such chorus,
and with gesticulations as to provoke re-
sentiment. It seemed as if they were
specially intent upon creating a disturb
ance. Whenever a negro Democrat ap-
pearcd he was cursed, pushed off the side
walk, spit upon, and in many instances
beaten BY the colored viragos, assisted by
the negro supporters of Governor Cham
berlain. Several of the cololed. Demo
Gratis were stoned as they rode singly
along the streets. Two of them were
pulled off their horses, and their .Hamp-
ton badges and decorations were instant
" taken from their persons and torn into
shreds. The Stars and Stripes which
they wore were Indignantly torn up and
trampled upon by these South Carolina
colored Republicans. The little flags in
the hands of white children were snatch.
ed out of their hands, destroyed and
thrown in the cutters. White ladies
walking along the streets were subjected
to the most obscene language, insult and
often to personal assault. During the
entire day this sort of negro intimidation
and prescription was kept up, but it was
submitted to with the stern determine
ton not to crafty their enemies BY re
senting it and causing riot. Genera
Ruger himself and staff witnessed scenes
and incidents of this kind occurring un
der the windows Of the Wheeler House
Several personal alterations, incident tt
such an occasion, took place, but nothing
of serious nature, and the white mer
engaged in them were invariably hurriet
to the station houses. Some five or si1
persons were slightly injured.
The Republicans held their meeting
and had procession here this very da.
a week ago, and in no instance were the.
interfered with. No white or coloret
Democrat offered them insult or evel
jeered at them.
THE NIGHT DEMONSTRATION.