The Morning herald., 1876-10-23
SOUTH CAROLINA,

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Ocrats-RiOtOus Demonsarstions by
Colored Republicans.
COLUMBIA, s. C., Oct. 18.
Of all the public meetings which have
been held in this State duriug the present
political campaign, no other perhaps have
encited so much inerest, or was 40 full of
significance, as that which took place in
Columbia last night. When State that |
the notorious w. J. Whipper (the corrupt
negro politician who was elected judge ofl
the most important circuit in the State at
the same time with the not less notorious
F. J. Noses Jr., and whose joint election
has perhaps caused more excitement here
and more attention abroad than all the
other doubtful experiments of his party in
The State), was present, and invited by the
Democratic committee to divide time and
speak on the issues of the day as viewed
from his political standpoint, the full i'm
port Of the scene may be appreciated.
Colonel J. G. Gibbs, D. Wyatt Aitken,
Democratic candidate for Congressman
from this district, and Colonel J. G.
Bacon delivered stirring addresses in
behalf of General Hampton. Despite the
usual and standing orders Of their leaders
to the contrary, a large crowd Of negroes
had also assembled, and listened to these
speakers in quiet aud without interruption,
The chairman Of the meeting announced
on behalf of the Democrats that they
were willing, and even anxious, to hear
from the other side, and invited them to
put up any one they desirdd to hear,
assuring them Of respectful hearing as
far as the whites were concerned. W. j.
Whipper, who happened to be in town
attending the sitting Of the supreme Court,
which had the matter ofhis election under
consideration all day, was present, and
and was at once loudly called for By his
partisans, who were informed that he
desired to speak.
Notwithstanding the fact that his speech
vas bold, denunciatory and aggressive in
lone, he was given a respectable hearing
with but one or two exceptions, on the part
of individuals who challenged his state
ments or accepted his own oft respected
challenge to disprove,their' accuracy. His
speech was in large part rehash OF lnger'
SOILS charges against the Democratic party,
He said that it was responsible for all the
ills If the war and for the millions Of
graves which had been filled between 1861
and 1864. He charged the whites Of the
State with deliberate massacre of unofend-
| ing negroes at Hamburg, Aiken and Ellen
ton, and in every county of the State. He
glorifed in the burning Of Columbia, and
said the Democra were responsible for it,
as, in ehort, for every disturbance-all the
suffering and corruption, poverty and
want-which now af1icts the people. He
claimed for the Republican party Of the
State that it had freed the negro and the
poor whites alike, and continued, for per-
haps an hour, in a strain which, while it
ELECTED frequent demonstrations Of applause
by reason Of its repeated appeals to the
passions of his colored hearers, could not
| fail to excite corresponding feelings Of
indignation on the part of the whites He
was once or twice ordered by the crowd to
::come down." but these demands were
met by the chairman of the meeting with
requests that he would speak as long and
freely as he pleased and with renewed
| assurances that he could do SO in safety,
and he only concluded when he had
exhausted his material.
In the midst of the speech an incident oc-
| Cured significant of the feeling ofsuspicion
and enmity which animated both himself
and followers. His voice giving evidence
| of weariness after half hours exertion, q
| gentleman near the stand politely offered
the speaker glass ofwater, from the pitch.
er used by the gentleman who had preceded
him. Cries at once arose from score OF
dusky throats, "Don't touch it, don't touch
lit! They want to to poison you !" etc. etc.
He was cunning enough to pretend to &C
cept their suspicious as well grounded, and,
though standing greatly in need Of the re-
freshment, refused to accept it. When he
had finished his address he was assisted
from the stand by white Democrats, who
also assisted him in dobning his overcoat,
and was escorted to the saloon Of the hotel,
and there treated" to refreshments of a
stronger kind, which he accepted. In lieu
of further remark Of my own lquote,as fol.
lows, from the "Union Herald' Rep.), Of
this place, as to his statement throughout
the evening:
"Mr. Whipper made powerful speech,
| in which it was evident he won the sympa-
thies of every one of his race present to his
cause. 1t is due the Democrats present to
say that, Notwithstanding the terrible ar
raignment Mr.Whipper made against their
party, they behaved like gentlemen and
gave him a patient and attentive hearing"
With his speech all order ended. Mr..
C.F. Janney (white) rose to reply to him,
and then ensued scene which deies de-
scription, and which at one time threaten.
ed riot. Mr.. Janney attempted to speak,
and began his argument by accepting
Whipper's challenge to lay his finger on
any corrupt act of his (Whipper's) life