Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1876-09-28
y}1isfellaneuns &eadima.
nHONESTv JOHN PATTERsON's SPEECH

seHONEsT,' JOHN PATTERsON's SPEECH.
During the recent session of the Radical
Republican State Convention in Columbia,
the delegates, in consequence Of the delay Of
the committee on credentials in making a re-
port, had much idle time on their hands, and
as the devil always finds something for idle
hands to do, it was decided to call upon Sena-
tor Patterson, who, in derision, is usually des.
ignated as "Honest john" for speech. He
Immediately came to the front, and delivered
himself of harangue, which, for devilish
malignity, hate and abuse of the white people
of South Carolina, caps the climax. We
publish the report of his harangue as it ap-
pears in the Charleston Necs and Courier, in
order that the people of York county may be
stimulated to do their whole duty at the bal
lot box in the approaching election, and thus
contribute their efforts to Kidding the State of
such foul blotch on humanity, whenever it
may become necessary to electasdecent man
to the United States Senate. The correspon-
dent of the Ne,us and Courier says ..,
Tom Hamilton, who manages to have the
Aoer at all times, and who ia flushed by the
endorsement of his candidate, proposes that
the convention hear from one whose sentiments
have not been expressed He refers to Sena.
to1 J. j. Patterson. "Honest John" scratches
his shock head, cocks his head on one side
like canary, and actually turns red in the
face Some unkind bystander unfeelipgly re-
marked: "They've got John now where the
hairs short" Patterson gets up, gulps down
tumbler of water, the edge of the glass rat
tling against his teeth, in consequence Of a
perceptible tremor of his nerves. Big Tom
Hamilton and little Tim Hurley are again
appointed to escort the speaker to the stand,
but with lowly sense of his own unfitness. for
such an exalted position, "Honest John" de-
clines to mount the rostrum and awkwardly
ambles out into the middle aisle, while Tim
Hurley, in stage whisper, wants to know if
Hamilton and himself are the only Republic.
ans in the convention, and Hamilton ostenta.
tiously introduces the speaker as Mr.. Cham
berlain's best friend. Patterson scowls back
at him, and says between his teeth, "Ye Thank
so, do ye," gives his trousers reassuring hitch
and launches into his say. -, ;...I -'.:...'.
. HONEST JOHN PATTERSON. ....:.,.
But before he begins let US take glance at
the personal appearance Of the notorious car
pet-bagger, description of whom cannot fail
to be of interest to the public in general, and
may be of possible use to the future detective,
even as Nast's innocent cartoon spotted the
"Big Boss" among the Hidalgos. A man Of
medium stature. if anything little above the
average height, and who would be tall if it
were not for q notable crook in his legs, cor
responding to that Of his mind. A suit cor
responding to the hue Of bis supporters, hangs
loosely about his form. His coat, longtail
frock, reaches to the point where his calves
should begin, and his trousers, having partaken
of the form of his legs, wore all the appear:
ance of having been cut with a circular saw.
A massive watch chain depends at his waist,
while the Immaculate shirt front rivals and
suggests the whiteness Of the whited sepulchre
feature Re Is faif ana so strongly
resembles his compeer, franklin j. Moses ,Jr.,
that were it not for the distinction in hair and
complexion, he might readily be mistaken for
member of that illustrious family. His face
is closely sbsven, with the exception of a
heavy tawny moustache, the corners of which
droop downward, lending to his face sinister
hang-dog expression. His eyes are deep set
and peer out from beneath lowering brows,
each of which is the exact counterpart of his
moustache below A carefully trained Ma
poleoDic look crowns the narrow retreatlng
forehead.
HIS SPEECH.
Having sidled to central point in the aisle
with an ambiguous motion peculiar to himself,
and which can only be understood when it is
stated that he ever looks in one direction and
proceeds in another, "Honest John," begins
his say as follows: -... ...-.; .... -.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen of the Con-
vention This is, as understand it, conven-
ton of the representative people of South
Carolina. [ am happy to be with you, and l
greet you, my friends, as Republicans. 1t has
been said in some place that the Republican
Convention in South Carolina would not meet,
but thank God you are here, and in your coun-
tenances l see determination to do your du'.
ty. Let every man in South Carolina, rich
and poor, white and black, rise up in recog.
milton of the great Importance of the hour.
You have rights that men are bound to re-
spect. No armed power under heaven dare
attempt to take them from you. Carry the
determination to your homes to demand that
your rights be respected, and you will prove
that you are not only Republicans, but Amer
ican citizens, and you can't prove it any other
way. The Republican party is on trial, la
voice. Eyes for stealing, " and you must as
sist yourselves like men and repel the base
attempts to intimidate and coerce you. I
tell you know thing or two, that the great
arm of the North will stand by you, and be
here to protect you and see that you are not
deprived Of your rights by Democratic arms.
CAT this stage so vehement and emphatic was
the speaker that he fairly danced in the aisle
and squatted nearly to the floor with certain
springiness in his legs that indicates long prac-
tice in crooking those supple hinges when
thrift might be supposed to follow fawning.)
You have continued the speaker, the great
principles Of universal freedom in your hands.
See that every one fyou discharges his whole
duty. You have a right to your choice, and
no man, nor set of men, has the right to dis
pute it with you by armed force. There are
three great issues before you. The first of
these is reform. There is no reform in the
Democratic party. Ifyou see community
poor, beggarly, ignorant and degraded, you
you may know without asking that those peo-
ple are under Democratic rule. In 1868 the
great Republican party took possession Of the
government, which had been shattered to
atoms by Democratic rule. They took it and
built it up to whatit is now, and yet you hear
from the Democrats nothing but Reform !!
Reform! 1t is very we'll to shout reform
when you are out of Office, but would rather
trust the man who does reform while he is in