The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-08-16

murder of unarmed prisoners at Ham
burg, and asserted that lie was inno-
cent of any completely in that great
crime, and gave tho sanction.
I stepped forward to address the au-
dience, and General Gary, in order,
doubtless, to bespeak a courteous hear
ing for me, exclaimed, "This is Judge!
Mackey ; be is with the Radicals, but
he Is q Democratin disguise ~ 3
began my remarks by stating that
Il wear no disguise, fellow-citizens::
I am a Republican, elevated to high
office by Republicans, and I shall new
er desert my colors, and betray the
trust reposed in me by the dark race d;
and above all, it would dishonor me to
desert here in Edgefield In the face of
the enemy"
Imadea an earnest Republican speech,
in which Isaid that I am proud of be-
ing the citizen of this great republic,
:"wheere freedom, hand in hand with labor
Walketh stout and brave,
And OH the forehead OF his nelghbor,
No mar wrlteth Slave r"
I was interrupted once or twice by
questions, one Of which was:
"Whero Is farker z"
Gen. Gary followed in O most bitter
attack upon Governor: Chamberlain,
firing, as usual, red hot shot from his
heavy ordnance. I arose to reply to
General Gary, who protested against
my being heard, on the ground that I
had already spoken my allotted time.
I insisted on being heard. however,
and General Butler came forward, and
it was arranged that I should speak
another half hour, and should be re-
piled to.
I was then heard, in what I regard
ed an effective reply to Gen. Gary.
As / closed my speech, the platform
fell for the fourth time, and the white
audience, after hearing a brief reply
from General Butler, adjourned to the
Democratic stand on the public square,
distant about 800 yards. When I had
nearly closed my last speech, the col
ored portion Of the audience reformed
their line, and retired, undisturbed, so
far as I heard, either by threats or
ieers. The statement Of Mr.. Black
man, the reporter of the NeWs and
Courier, in regard to this matter, was
derived from other parties, who have
misrepresented the facts to him. He
did not arrive upon the ground until
the Democrats started for their own
staud, and he then approached me
and asked me to furnish him q state
ment of the facts, to which ! replied
that I had not time to do 30. / know
him to he incapable Of any intention.
al Misrepresentation.
He also erred in stating that I made
a Democratic speech at the Democrat
ic meeting. On the contrary, in reply
to a remark there made, to the effect
that I should return as q repentant
prodigal to the Democratic fold, !
said: mo, fellow-citizens Of Edge
field, I am unalterably q Republican,
proud of my political faith. Your
Democratic party, moreover, can win
back no prodigals, for you have not
any fatted calves to draw them home.
I am, however, the friend of good gov
eminent, and those who struggle to re-.
deem South Carolina from misrule will
find no foe in me while they act with.
In the lines of the law. I shall now
retire, thanking you sincerely for hav-
ing respected the right of free speech
here to-day, although that right was
asserted under circumstances which
must have greatly irritated the feel
ings of every white citizen Of Edge
field" When I made my few brief
remarks, T was mounted OH q large
gray horse that bad been placed at my
disposal, and Gen. Butler, az / cOncla-
ded, said aloud, "Well, although you
are q Republican, you are mounted On
q Democratic horse ~ to which l an
swered, II knew him to be o
Democratic horse by his solemn and
hungry look and lean ribs, and he
wears the gray"
I should add that I did not hear o single
firc-arm discharged ut any time during the
day nor did l see any weapon drawn, or any
a q msn at ss violence na, sI In any form 911m , III s solo5.
and If they had been. I would not have
spoken. They did not attempt to mount the
stand, neither did Mr.. Jillson nor Mr.. Baus:
kett, two white Republicans who intended
TIL statement is equally. false as to any At
tempted violence at Johnson's Depot, on
our return. Some ten Or fifteen white me1
them cried out: There's our Congressman
Smalls; let's kiss him :" while another said,
Lets ask the Governor for q lock OF his
hair They were sax all ILL IN o.. 2 J Jss;r Gd mooG, and no
marks.
The government Of Edgedeld has been for
eight years a fostering ulcer upon our body
polite, and q diligent attempt is now being
made to hide with 1.-The bloody shirt" the OPP
palling wrongs committed by tho Republi.
can party on the white population OF that
section. For example, there have been three
County Treasurers, all Republicans, appoint
cd in Edgefield since 1858. The frat, John
Woody, proved O defaulter to the amount Of
s25, 900; the second, Eichelber, in tho sum OF
about $50, 900 and the third, McDevitt, esti-
mated at $40. Zoo or $50 900.
The government Is wholly composed OF ne
against white Republicans, and the very
doors of the temple OF Justice have been
slammed by q Republican Judge in the face
Of the white people Of Edgefeld, when they
invoked the law to protect them in their
rights. SEQ my report on Edgefeld OF Jon
uary, 1875. L. J. MAChE4.