The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1877-04-11
Wednesday, April II, 1877.
PUBLIC MEETING.
Speeches by Col. J. s. Cochran, Col
Thomas Thomson and General
MCGOWAN .. Music -. Fires

Speeches by Col. J. 8. Cochran, Col
Thomas Thomson and General
MCGOWAN -. Music -. Fire,
Works-.Rejoicings.
Our worthy attendant w. H. Park
ca, Esq, who is usually not very de-
monstrative. felt good enough las
week from the political outlook, to cal
a meeting of our citizens for Friday
night. This meeting was called thai
we might together enjoy the glorious
victory and celebrate the redemption
for which WE had labored 81 earnestly
for the past eight months.
Col. J. T. Robertson, Messrs. A. Be
quest. A.. NJ. Hill, w. A. Templetor
and T. P. Quarles were appointed
committee of arrangements.
Nj. f.. F. Parker was chief ordnance
officer.
The fireworks were managed BY
Messrs. Hen-y Norwood, Thos. G.
Enright, Richard Hill. and others.
The anvils were managed by Messrs
John Baker and James Shillito.
Col. Robertson wss officer Of the
day, and made all necessary arrange
ments. Large bonires bluzed OH the
public square. After they had burn
out, the ~sky-rockets beautifully archet
the heavens. The meeting was at the
Aston House corner, and consisted o.
all shades and conditions Of men
women and children.
At eight o'clock Lord Mayor Park
err announced to the assembled null
titude that this meeting was called
70 give q quiet expression Of rejoicing
at The prospects of a glorious future
under Democratic administration
He hoped that al era OF good feeling
had now commenced, and impressed
upon all the Importance Of order, har.
mony aud good feeling. This Dset-
ing rejoiced at the Democratic success,
10, in a spirit of exultstion to wound
the defeated party, but in a spirit that
was intended to harmonic all Glasses.
He then introduced.
COLONEL CoTHRAN,
who spoke in his usual happy style,
somewhat as follows:
My friends and fellow citizens
This is indeed an suspicious occasion
and I rejoice In common with oul
people Al our complete deliverance
from:the shackles which have bound US
for the past ten years. This Is a day OF
rejoicing for all classes and conditions
Of men. I need not remind this PEG.
pie of the important part they have
acted in accomplishing this great de-
l%iverance. Virtue has its own reward
in the consciousness of duty we'll per
formed.
We are tonight standing on histor'
ic ground. Grounds upon which have
been fought the most peaceful as well
as the most glorious victories Of tn
exciting campaign through which W.
have passed 80 creditably to ourselves
1t was around this place that the no
BILE Red Shirts on their gal
liant steeds gathered at meeting,
which have been attended with suct
magnificent results. l can see Hamp
ton now as he passed down this stree
on of the most memorable day!
for Abbeville. How grand then, hoy
glorious now. Ny friends, there is /
lesson in all this, which a brave anc
generous people must learn. That les
son Is moderation, forgiveness and rec
onciliation. We have been victorious
and can now afford to beat our swords
into ploughshares and our spears ints
pruning hooks. White winged peact
now rules supreme-no more troops
and we must now be as magnanimoui
as W. have been brave.
I am proud Of this people-the coGn'
try that gave Stonewall Jackson, anG
Lee also gave Wade Hampton, the
peer Of any man on the continent
Looking v the retrospect Of those
who mad achieved success, strange
that 1t should be reserved to South
Carolina to have given to the Ameri'
a people no man who now fills more
OF the public mind than him who has
been elected our Governor.
1t seems to me that all should rejoice
with VI that Hampton Is Governor o.
South Carolina. It means peace and
love to one another. After twelve
years Of common desolation We are
prepared for this position.
Col. Cothran never fails to pay his
respects to the ladies, and on this oc.
casion said, that nothing gives more
strength to the weary than their ap.
probation. The ladies could not vote
but they comforted US and prayed 70
as. We owe them q debt Of gratitude
In all our troubles and difficulties wo-
man is as true as steel. They rejoice
with us, aud weep with US.
Our %Intendant said that this was
not a time for speaking but a time for
lei ricing. Let peace, harmony and
reconciliation prevail. There's no
use to tell you the news, it's too good
to talk about. The news IL good
enough.
At the conclusion Of this speech
there was q grand display Of fireworks
aud some excellent music by the Sill.
yer Cornet Band. Mr.. Parker then
introduced
who is always listened to with pleas
ure and interest. The following is ar
outline Of his speech:
My fellow citizens-We have met to
express our mutual congratulations
upon the hopeful condition of our 20.
iitical affairs. For the first time in
many years we have cause to believe
that we have obtained substantial
good. In the days Of reconstruction
we had only the semblance of free &C
ton. During military rule, the name
of free government vas unknown
and since reconstruction our influence
in our own government was nominal
alone. After the subsection to SC
many forms of misgeyernment-apart
from the rift in the cloud above US
may we not adopt the superstition OF
the sailer-that q cannon ball never
strikes tuice in the SAME spot-nos
shall we sgain have to endure law1ess-
ness under the same form of law.
"Who would be free, themselves
.- .ktL~ H. LIZ. ~ al kL:o .Sf.,