The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-09-06
Wednesday, Sept. 6, 1876
Great Political Meeting at Anderson.

losSeledSI, III "lliCl SblIC hNC LflcQ-
sand whites and two thousand colored
people were in attendance.
Much of the same feeling that per-
yaded our people at the big, meeting at
Abbeville prevailed at Anderson, and
the Democratic triumph was SO de-
cided that the Republicans of Ander-
son have, it is said, determined not to
put a county ticket in nomination.
L~owndesville had q full delegation
there under command of Col. H. H.
Harper, and Antreville was represent
ed by the "McGowan Sabre Club"
under command Of Capt. John +.
Brownlee. Each delegation threw
to the breeze beautiful banpers which
had been furnished by some of the
patriotic ladies. The procession of
mounted men numbered some two
thousand and as they marched
through the principal streets the
music of the band filled the air, and
beautiful women at every house filled
the doors, windows and balconies,
waving handkerchiefs, cheering the
men, while the booming canno
sounded high above everything else.
The whole presented q scene never be-
fore realized by the people of Ander-
son, The number of United States
flags displayed from the doors, viii
dows, gates, hcusetops, and other
places, exceeded one thousand, and
~ they swayed in the breeze in the
presence of the asst multitude they lent
additional inspiration to the men wild
with enthusiasm.
On the centre post Of the stand, PEN
ell drawings on canvass of Hampton
and Simpson hung in bold relief; q
large pyramid of flowers. ornalnented
with beautiful miniature flags, Was
not to be overlooked the whole was
arcbed with eYergreenS and the name
of South Carolina gracefully inter-
twined. Below which in horizontal
lines were the following inscriptions:
Hard money and plenty of it," '"Til-
den and Hendricks" rPeace and pro-
lection to all classes" Hampton and
Simpson," "Retrenehment, reconcil-
jatioH and REFORM" all artjstically
made of eyergreens, and tastefully ar
ranged. The whole was canopied by
appropriate cloth suspended, and q
handsome carpet kept the speakers
feet from the boards below.
We take from the Register the fol-
lowing mention Of the meeting: At
ii o'clock, Mr.. Hoyt, in a few we'll
chosen remarks, introduced our noble
staRdard-bearer,
GENERAL .TADE HAMPTON
who vas received with rounds of
applause. There was cheer after cheer
so much SO that it was sometime be-
fore the General could begin speaking.
such a reception; that he would state
,,o,,, g, thn hani,, N snr IF f1,o M ~, nm ~
that he intended TO meet all in a peace
able way. He said that General r. E.
Lee told him before the war was over,
that no matter which side was success
fnl, the negroes would be free. This
le had never told to any n before.
He told the colored people that he had
pledged his word to his hands in Mis-
sissippi, last fall, that ifthe Democratic
party, then about to be successful
there didn't:Secure them every rightand
make them better off, that he would
give them his plantation, and thatthey
came to him since and told him that
they were satisfied. He said that we
hHi q perfect right to call upon the Re
publicans, such us Carpenter, Tomlin-
effort, since he had helped them when
they had tried to get into office.
Work is what he called for from every
one. lie didn't plead for himself, but
fer South Carolina, for every n knew
that in entering upon this canvass he
had made q great sacrifice, but he con-
sidered that his State had called him,
and when she called he felt it to be his
duty to respond, not only with his la
boz, but.with his life itself if necessa-
~. He hoped to meet US again when
all our efforts shall have been crowd
ed with success. Would that 1 had
time and space to give you his speech
In full. It was full Of noble senti-
inents, and breathed peace to all, and
I think every nan in the State, white
and colored, should hear it. He spoke
about thirty-five minutes.
HON. W. d. SIMPSON.
was the next speaker, and held the
vast audience spell-bound for half an
hour. l will only give you a few
thoughts from 1t. He told the cOlored
people that they might rest sure of all
their rights when Hampton YVES elect
ed, for he (Hampton) had pledged his
word to be the Governor of the whole
people and protect all, and sooner
would the stars fall from the skies
tlsan General Hampton would break
his word. 1t was truly u fine oratory,
and was we'll appreciated by the color
ed people.
GENERAL GARY
was introduced and spoke for ABOUT
forty minutes. Hegave US some who'll
>s0Eae truths OH taxes, currency, civil
service and other topics. He showed
that while the taxable property in
the State was only about Onefourth
what it was before the war, our taxes
were over three times as much as
then. He said that come what may.
we intend to place South Carolina be-
side her sisters Of the South il the
Democratic ranks.
GENERAL MCGOWAN
was now brought to the front and de-
livered in his usually happy style to 81
people who know him we'll, aud al
ways have q welcome for him. The
freedman showed that they w%ere..pleas-
ed by frequent applause and well-tim-
ed remarks.
COLONEL D.. WYATT AIKEN
OF Abbeville county, then made the
next speech, and 1t waspronounced by
several old friends to be the best speech
he ever made. He called upon the
people Of Anderson to do their whole
duty to assist other parts of the State
to get rid Of the rotten Radical crew.
He said to do the Radicals like we
would snakes in the swamp, hit them
every time we see them.
COLONEL WILLIAM WALLACE
was the last speaker, and made q fine
impression upon the people by his first
speech to them. He said that Hamp-
ton was now on board the ship of State
and could stop her and steer her safely
on her voyage towards the next cen
tenniaI. He closed by calling for three
cheers for Tilden, Hendricks and
Hampton, and it was responded to
with q will.
We had fine music from the Pendle-
ton Band and the Anderson Band.
Dol ORDER
prevailed throughout the entire day.
There was not the slightest disturb
ance that I have been able to hear of.
Everybody went home well pleased,
and everybody pronounces this to be
a grand success. l take it that this
the first meeting bodies well for the
whole campaign. Let the enthusi-
asm spread to every county in the