The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1876-11-02
Free Speech" in Edgefeld-How a
Republican Meeting Was Held at the
Home of Butler and Gary.

1t is needless to recapitulate the his
torv of recent events in Edgefeld and
| its vicinity. Our readers are familiar
with the fact that the authors of the
shotgun policy were Edgeheld men, and
that they are the most defiant and the
bravest of the followers of the Mississip-
pi plan.
So. when the Executive Committee of
the Rep lblican patty announced meet
/ ing for Edgefeld, on Saturday last, many
| predicted that none would be attempted
unle 5 it was held subject to the rules
heretofore prescribed for holding Repub-
/ lican Lleetings in that county.
The Edgefeld Advertiser at once pub
lished an order for the postponement of
/ all Democratic meetings in the county
/ fixed for that day, and every company
vas directed to report in Edgefeld to
attend the Republican meeting.
/ But the Republicans had determined
/ to make this meeting a test case, as to
/ whether it was possible to hold a meet
/ ing freely in South Carolina. The call
was issued announcing that il was to rat
ify the nominations of Hayes and Wheel
er. Robert Smalls for Congress and the
/ State ticket
| The Republican speakers left Colum-
bia at A. NJ, by rail, for Pine House, a
| station on the Charlotte, Columbia and
/ Augusta Railroad, fifty miles from Co
| lumbia and eight miles from the Court
house town.
/ With them went United States Com
missioner j. G. Thompson and Deputy
\ Marshal Colonel j. Z. Low, with five
other deputies.
As soon as the train entered Edgefield
| County the stations were found to be
alive with men uniformed in red flannel
/ shirts, with black belt, to which hung
| the ever-ready navy revolver. These
were the rifle clubs, and they include
almost every able bodied white man in
| the community.
As the train stopped at Ridge Spring
it was instantly invaded by dozen of
these men, who passed down the middle
aisle of the car, scrutinizing every face.
"Where is the bald-headed scoundrel p
There is Smalls, the yellow son of a
b-h." you had better 20 back if you
know where you're we'll off. etc, with
curses and obscenities too horrible to
write. These scenes were repeated at
Johnston's Depot, further on. All the
rufIians expressed wrath that the Cover
nor was not on board. Some of the
Northern passengers were very much
ala rmed, and wondered at the noncha
lance, bred of experience, with which the
Rep blican speakers and others treated
these demonstrations.
PLEASANT SURPRISE.
At Pine House was unexpectedly found
a scene more agreeable to the Republi
cans. A company of the Second Infan
try was drawn up in line. General Ru
ger, Commander Of the Department, haC
arrived the night before and had left a.
Pine House two small companies of tn,
Second Infantry, in response to the cal
of the commander of the post at Edge
field Court house, Major Kline, of tn,
Eighteenth Infantry, for an addition
force, he having had only two compa
nies, with seYenty-twO men all told
The total there now is only l45 men an,
officers.
These two companies had arrived a
9 o'clock the previous evening, and thei
A, duieting effect was at once plainly seen
The crowd which would otherwise hav
been present at Pine House was absent
Couriers had been dispatched to all part
of the county notifying the rifle club
that they should come in, but that
change of programme would be necessary
The Commissioner and Marshal wer
asked by tie Captain Commanding
they desired escort, but it was declined
. and soon all were driving over to til
village eight miles off. One company {