Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1876-08-10
TIE ADVERTISER.
Opening of the Democratic Campaign
IN Edgeield County.--A Democratic
Mass Meeting of Overwhelming
Numbers and Enthusiasm,

II
Opening of the Democratic Campaign
IN Edgefeld County.--A D emocratic
Mass Meeting of Overwhelming
Numbers aud Enthusiasm.
Last Monday was great and notable
day incur town-nay more, in our whole
County. Pursuant tola call of Gen. Ga
ry, the Chairman of(the County Execu-
tive Committee, jthere was Mass Meets
&g held on thascday, for the purpose of
tifying tFsJnominations of Tilden and
f1enISSSSicks and of inaugurating the Dem
Il campaign in Edgefeld. At an
hour the sturdy yeomanry of our
W began to pour into town, and by
N o'clock, the hour appointed for
meeting, there were at least five hun
ed determined, resolute men upon our
Jeets. We say the men were resolute,
For truly their countenances displayed q
Settled and fixed determination to keep
alive the enthG5asm of each sther, and
tt6earry the colhirg election at all haz-
ards. A large stand had been erected in
the beautiful park in our public square,
and shortly after the Johnston Brass
Band had entered tho town, in their
chariot and four, with banners waving,
escorted by q large cavalcade of enthusi-
astic citizens on horseback, the Meeting
was called TO order by Gen. Gary, who
proposed Gen. NJ. C. Butler as President;
with Capt. A. D. Bates, Capt. Thos. Jores,
Maj. George Huiet, DR.. Joe Jennings,
Capt. t. Il. Clark, Capt. D. H. Tomp-
kins and Maj. B. F. Lovelace, as Vice
Presidents; and Jas. #. Bacon and John
Al. Furman as Secretaries. Gen. Butler
accepted the Presidency in few peril
nent remarks, and then introduced as
the first speaker, Ex-Gov. M. L. Bon
ham, than whom no man in Edgefeld,
public or private, is more profoundly
honored, and who reviewed the course
of the Democratic party in the past, and,
after denouncing all attempts az a Ccm-
promise with the Radicals, u.der any
circumstances, asserted that We must at
all hazards nominate straisht-out State
ticket, aud that of one thing the people
could rest assured, that Tiiden and Hen
bricks were bound to be elected in No
vember, and that if Grant and his cor
rupt cabinet were afraid to cleanse the
Augean Stables at Washington of the
filth that had there accumulated under
their administration, Tilden would not
shrink from the task, but Hercules like,
would make it pure and keep it unde-
filed. He denounced all carpet ba%gers,
and asked "what Reform Chamberlain
had effected?" But the echo was only
"what?"
The next speaker introduced was that
sterling, gallant gentleman from Missis-
sippi, Gen. Sam Ferguson, rative born
South Carolinian. He was received with
marked enthusiasm by the meeting. and
in an address thoroughly sensible, quiet
and practical. told US how the Mississip-
plans carried the election in their State q
year ago; how in his own County they
overcame majority of to L! and in
language too plain to be mistaken, de-
clared that the assertions published in
the Ne'US 0nd Courier of Charleston, and
other papers of this and other States, as
to intipidation, fraud and bloodshed be-
ing used to carry the election, to be ut
terly false and unfounded. He then told
us how every white man had "acorked,
and ,oorked, and ,corhed, night and day."
and showed the Radicals by honestmeans
that they could not, and shouldnot, long
er delude the ignorant negro by their
been enhanced in value; how confidence
had been restored between the races and
how under determined feeling to root
out all carpet-baggers and scalawags,
who would engender strife in the coun-
try, prosperity was already beginning to
cast her welcome mantle over the ruins
of the past. He told us of messages of
hope and good will sent us by our re-
deemed brother Democrats Of Mississip
pi, ard adjured us by all that we held
dear to follow their example; told us
not to harm the ignorant negro, but to
let the leaders, the political mountebanks
Of their party, know that they were the
ones who would be sacrificed. His ad-
vice was received with shouts of appro-
baton, and every man who heard it, we
honestly predict, will follow it.
Gel. J. P. Thomas, of the Carolina Mill
tary Institute, at Charlotte, n. c., also a
gifted and distinguished son of our own
State, was the next to address US, and in
q manner at once eloquent, scholarly and
glowing, depicted to US our woes and the
remedies Tor them; assured us that we
could never be saved by a modern "Dan-
iel come to judgment" but that we must
look to native Carolinians, honest, up
right men, to lead us to victory. Col.
Thomas said that though he had left his
old "Mother, South Carolina" and be-
fore his departure had laid upoa her al
tars the morning sacrifice Of his youth
and substance, still was he willing and
ready to burn in her cause the evening
Incense of continued devotion and love-.
,ihe crowd were entranced by Col. Thom-
ass eloouence, and he can rest assured
t,at warm welcome awaits him when
ever he chooses to come to Edgeheld. AS
al orator, Col. Thomas has few equals.
J. C. Sheppard, Esq, our Delegate to
th 9 st. Louis Convention, was next IN
troduced, and gave concise and logical
demonstration OF the status Of the Demo-
cratic party! lie said that the issues
nov. were identical with those that IN
1iuenced our forefathers of the Revolu-
tion. and declared that like them, we
would gain decisive victory over our
enemies. In conclusion he denounced
the Radical administration of the State
ard gave some very wholesome advice
to the negroes (who were out in gcodly
n, mbers) and told them he was certain OF
be ing elected to the Legislature and in
tended to take his seat there despite the
Vaccinations of the Radical party. He
WIS frequently interrupted by hearty
applause.
Hon, G.. D. Tillman was the next
speaker; and in one Of his happfest
,,,,of,s ond in his most forcible manner,