Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1878-10-10
Democratic Meeting at Fair play

According to appointment on Tuesday, tho
LIST OF October, meeting was held hero for
the purpose Of giving tho candidates of the
county an opportunity of ofshowing themselves
sing their views on the political issues Of the
day. County State and national politics all
received due attention. There was truly u
large crowd Of candidates out. They began
to arrive here on Monday evening and contin-
ucd to come in until Tuesday about IL o'clock.
| am sorry to report that the crowd in attend.
ancc was very small. The coming election
is an important ono in the history of South
Carolina, and as Maj pcndy remarked in his
speech, I'VE want the upper counties Of the
State to give majority sulicicnt to overcome
handsomely the Radical majority in the lower
counties. especially in this Congressional
District" There is not enough enthusiasm
shown on the part Of the people here, and it
seems to be the case, from the reports of tho
candidates, Ill over the county. We have the
rcins of government in our hands and let us
hold them. Let Oconco givo this fall tho
largest majority to the Democratic cause TINT
she has ever given. The people may, though,
bc somewhat excused for their slim attendance
here Tuesday on account Of the cotton crop
being So much advanced. The farmers have
cndcavored to keep up with the cotton, but in
vain. They do not like to lose that for which
they have toiled 30 hard. Fair Play can be
counted on beyond doubt when the election
comes oft. There were plenty OF candidates
on hand and ! am sorry that cannot report
all tho proceedings Of the day, as I do not
want to encroach upon your space too much
l will only mention tho speakers on the occa>
sion. hope that all made some votes by
coming to our town. Although the crowd
was small we were determined to have some
speaking. Some Of the candidates remarked
that thoy would say what they Ind to say to
the fcw that were here and they could tell
the absent ones about it. Only tho cand.
dates for the Legislature addressed the crowd,
with the exception Of Col. Livingston, who
was called for ut tho close. We tried to got
some Of the candidates for county Offices to
speak, but failed. l believe that there is an
agreement among the last named candidates
that they would not speak at all during the
county canvass.
About II O'Clock Rev. II. NJ. Barton, tho
President Of our club, announced that speak
ing was in order and requested Mr.. joel
Beard to open tho speaking. Mr.. Barton
then introduced
MIR. BEARD,
who expressed his regrets thnt there were so
few out and said that it would be II hard
matter for him to speak under the circum-
stances. IIo opened his speech on the politis
cal issues between the Democrats and Fedc,
rails of 1901, tho former headed by Thomas
Jefferson and tho latter by Washington, and
kcpt on down to the present day in q manner
that showed he is worthy to receive the
support Of the people Of Oconec for the Office
for which he is running. After thanking the
people for their attention he retired and
MAI. 8. 4. DENDY
was introduced next, who opened his speech
on tho probability Of tho various tickets of the
State being elected. Ilc said that there was
no doubt about the State ticket, as it had no
oppostion; but that the fight would be mado
for tho Legislature. The Radicals aro trying
to get II majority in the Legislature in order
to cripple Governor Hampton in his cndea,
yors to run our government properly; and
that Governor Hampton could do nothing
| without proper Legislature to back him.
IIe next commented on tho recent Radical
Convention, held in this county saying that
Radicalism in this county was dead, and that
| they would never hold another convention in
tho county, thus giving ns an opportunity to
| swell tho Democratic majority Of this Con-
grossional District. Make the majority large
| enough to insure Col. Akon's election to
Congress over tho Radical majority of tho
lower counties. Ilo stated that there would
DO in 1880, according to somo persons, three
parties in tho United States, viz: Democratic,
Radical and Greenback, and that tho olcction
| of President would be likoly to fall upon
Congress, lonco tho Importance of the next
Congress being Democratic. In conclusion,
Maj. Dendy said that if tho pooplo would
| olect him to tho Legislature he would dis
charge the duties entrusted to him faithfully.
At tho next election lot US kill out tho Rad.
cal party in South Carolina. Aftcr Major
Dendy
MR. J. s. WERNER
was introduced. lIo stated that tho Radical
party did not intond to fight tho State ticket,
bnt intended to como at us backward and
fight for members of tho Legislature. IIo
spoke of tho. Congressional election in tho
Same strain as Maj. Dondy did, and then I,o
went on to show tbat tho expenditures Of tho
last Legislature had not exceeded. whom
taken proportionato!y, tle expenditures oi