The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1876-09-14
THE GREENVILLE DEMOCRACY.
The Great Demonstration on last Thurs
= ~:~day-Extensive Preparations sand Bril-:
liant Success-Gen. Hamptoiys Great
Speech. ssj g{ s.

%ssliant success-Gen. Hamptoil's Great
Speech. $ 81
MEssRs. EDITORS: HavingSjust re-
1tmned from the great politicaB meeting
at .Greenville, I think it best to present
to the readers of your paper short, in
telligible account of its proceedings. I
shall only attempt to show the essence,
iand not the accidental circumstances in
cident to the occasion All visitors from
a. distance, Knowing we'll the watchful
and intelligent patriotism of Greenville,
anticipated grand success, and such
expectations were fully realized. The
crowd was immense, democratic, hopeful
and sympathetic. The speaking came
off in the University grounds-a grove
of. unsurpassed beauty and classic associ-
ations. Even to the prosaic understand
ing, the trees seem to gather lovingly
around the seat of learning which crowns
the noble hill, and offer to the outside,
bustling world an attractive, sheltering
refuge. to faith, scholarship and higher
civilization. The speakers were Gen.
Hampton, Col. Simpson, Gen: Conner,
Gen. MCGOWAN, Col. Evins, Col. Wal
lace and Col. Cothran. The reputation
of these gentlemen renders it unnecessary
to define or eulogize their style, and the
character of the argument and the facts
are too we'll known to require repetition.
Gen. Hampton's speech was marked by
more of force of thought and felicity of
expression than at Anderson. Thespeech
was conceived as whole in its unaffected
grace of style, sentiments of devoted pa
triotism, and statesmanlike solution of the
political situation-it was pure projec-
tion of the entire man, in no degree
bizarre and composite. There is scarcely
any unevenness in his speech; very bril-
liant at one moment and then a reaction
airy depression; now displaying certain
qualities, and then again exhibiting GER
tain others. This speech can only be
Justly conceived of as whole, in which
each thought and sentiment are but the
complement Of the others. j refer to
this particularly, because this Unity OF
thought and feeling, with It's natural ex-
preston in his utterance, is more charac-
teristic of Gen. Hampton than of almost
any one know. The Democratic candi-
date for Governor anticipates on the part
of the Southern man, whether white or
black, an early recognition of their iden-.
tity of interest, and their rejection of all
influences of an ambitious or sectional
character which seek to separate and
antagonize them: Politically allied, both
races at the South will be fully compe-
tent to protect their own section of the
common country against all unjust or
discriminating legislation. The force of
events will enlighten the negro as to the
folly of his support to the carpet-bag
adventurer, and will attract him to the
white man of his own section, with whom
he is identified, as we'll in politics as in
all business relations. In all subjects of
national legislation, whether upon tariffs,
or currency, or the honest, efficient ad-
ministration of the government, there is
no division of interest between the two
races. No one can doubt that there
should be perfect accord, and the utter
defeat of incendiary politicians in this
canvass will hasten that consummation
so devoutly to be wished. Gen. Hampton
represents the good, intelligent people of
South Carolina, and his position-so con-
seryative, so perceptive of the future
exerts most salutary influence upon the
better class of negroes, and will contrib
ute an effectual aid to the election Of
Tilden. 9
Great as was the demonstration in the
daytime, in numbers, enthusiasm and
the admirable order exhibited, the torch
light procession at night was infinitely
superior in beauty and scenic effect.
The procession was nearly or quite a
mile long, and contained everything
requisite to complete and crown with
success. great political meeting. Bands
of music, banners flying, variety of uni
form, transparencies most admirably ap.-
posite in their notices, horsemen and
footmen with their torches, formed a
panorama so varied and rich, such as
inspired the spectator with the unreal
fancy as though he had been transported
into a region of eastern fable and sensu-
Gus delight land of unsetting sun and
odorous breezes, of music and soft, gol-
den waters drowsily tapping on silver
sands. The gorgeous moon contributed
her full share of beauty to the passing
hour, and in common with inanimate
nature seemed to sympathize with the
spirit of man in the self-assertion of a
loyal manhood. One of the notices was,
"January 1st, 1877, D. b. Chamberlain,
Attorney at Law, Boston, Massachusetts,"
One of the trapsparencies represented
the Northern adventurer as he first came
South, lean, lank and lantern -jawed, and
as he is now fat and sweltering in the
grease of prosperity. The beauty of
Greenville gave their best smiles to the
occasion; and childhood, but lately in
their nurses arms, contributed their in
nocence and patriotism to enrich the
scene. Patriotism must have peryaded
the whole body polite, when children
shout Justify for Gen. Hampton.
The speaking ceased in the evening a
while before midnight, though a large
number of people seemed quite willing
that it should have continued longer.
The immense mass of human beings then
began to disappear until the quiet of
nigh resumed her sway, and the city
gathered her sombre robes and went to-
Sleep in majestic silence. The scene was s
80 Interesting and unusual that it will
not easily pass from the memory of those
who were present.
These great assemblies of the people
signify their resolrlte will that respecta-
bility and talent shall no longer be ostra-
cised in South Carolina that the white
people shall have something more to do
with the government than simply to pay
the taxes, and that honesty and efficiency
will be necessary qualifications for Office.
Reform in administration, State and Ma
tional, is the recognized want of the day;
and the most ineligible form of refor-
nation in South Carolina is, that the
party which introduced dishonesty into
the administration of government shall
cease to exist. The election of Gen.
Hampton means that respectability shall
again influence the public counsels; that
I IL nay