Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1878-11-07
At THE HOME OF BUTLER.
A ROusing Rally at Centre
Spring in EdgefieId.
Two Noble Ladies Lead the Bold
Riders Of the Red-ShirtS
Native County.
BRILLIANT SPEECHES RECEIVED
WITH CHARACTERISTIC EN-
TltUSIASM.
An ADbeville squadron--A Pleasant
Entertainment at "Sunsct," the
Home of the Soldier Senator.
From the Ners aad Courier.

Home OF the Soldier Senator.
From tic Ncrs 0nd Courier.
EpGErIELD, October 3l.-A Demo-
cratic rally was held at Centre Spring
IN this County to day. The speakers
and an Edgefield escort, accompanied by
the Columbia Silver Cornet Band, ar
rived a little before noon. The visitors
were somewhat discouraged to observe
that but very few persons wepe present
on tho grounds, and the unwelcomc i'm
preston prevailed for Il little while that
the meeting was likely to prove a partial
if not a total failure. Such impression
was somewhat relieved, however, a little
later, by the arrival of Gen. Butter, as 1t
was well understood that his presence at
any time or place in this county was
alone sufficient to draw crowd OF his
admiring fellow-citizens: and, indeed, he
had not been on the grounds for many
rainutes before the always re-assurinS
and never m~istakable Edsetield yells in
the near distance gave assurance that
somebody was coming, aid coming in
force. There presently appeared, riding
under tho over archin@ boughs of mag
nificent oaks, Il column OF horselhon,
every man OF whom was clad III a red
shirt. and all of whom united in the
laudable effort of splitting his red throat
in giving vent to prolonged cheers for
Hampton in particular, and the success
OF the Democracy OF South Carolina in
general.
The day was still wet and gloomy
enough, but a ray OF sunshine darted
atbwart the conntenanccs o: al the be-
holders when it was noted that The long
column OF new arrivals was led ~ Il
young lady, who controlled her resAvrI
horse with the grace ~eGa~@rr6Nd Queen
of tine Am@&ons, and who wore promi-
nentlS displayed Il scarf Of that rich hue
which has been accepted as the emblem
Of reform in South Carolina. Let other
counties claim the credit of being the
banner bearer, and others tliat of being
the first that wore the red shirts on such
momentous occasions, zone vii! dispute
with Edgefield the high and superior
honor Of having their victorious columns
led to conquest by 4 woman Of such
gentle birth, tender beauty, infinite grace
and inspiring presence rs that OF the far
heroine who to-day rode in the forefront
of old Edgcfield's array. | am not iSno-
rant of the duty here devolved upon me
of suppresSinm the name of the lady i'll
question LptI consider tha: q circum-
stae~e OF so much Significance should
not be measured by the ordinary rules
of like occasions, and in despite OF the
rigid requirements OF etiquette, | cannot
refrain from stating as a matter of justice
and due honor that the fair cavalier W::>
none other than the daughter of one
whose name haS been always associated
in other days. with the fame of South
Carolina, even Tie name of Ex-Governor
Pickens The compliment OF her pres.
ence under such trying circumstances
was well appreciated by all those who
had now assembled, and amiglity cheer
went up from AL the tiirong, and from
all those who followed III her lead, in
attestation of their sense of the tribute
paid in her person by the women OF the
State TO the men OF the State engaged in
the work of freeing South Carolina for
cyer from the hated rule OF her bit!crcs;
enemies.
This little episode was quickly fol-
lowed by another like, when 4 second
clyalcade approached under the lead OF
Mrs. Ward, who rode side by side viii.
her husband, the captain of one Of the
largest precinctclubs III the County. At
4 signal from cX-Govcrnor Boniam, the
appearance of this lady and her . liant
escort was hailed with a second cheer,
which was the ali sufficient, as it WAS the
most appropriate, testimonial Of Edge
fields appreciation Of the double honor
conveyed by the participation of both
maGrons and maidens in the dutilul de-
monstrations of the day.
There were no more fears Ct failure
now. The presence Of these and other
ladies more thar atoned for the abScnc.
OF a thousand men, and after the arrival
of other and large reInlorcemCntS OF
red shirt riders who continued to pour
in from all quarters, the meeting was
organized under certainly the most
promising auspices, further heightened
by the appearance Of the sun which now
burst forth and quickly di>pelled the
lowering clouds. and already gave ample
assurance Of a fair and happy day. Su,h
promise was faithfully kept, as the rain
suddenly ceased and left The scene only
cooled and beautitied by the myriads Of
diamond drops pendant from every
autumn leaf or Tie mlgnificcn: trees of
the grove in the midst # which The
beautiful stand had been erected.
The proceedings were opened with
prayer by the Rev. Mr.. Horne, after
which Governor Bonham, as master of
ceremonies, introduced the first speaker,
Gen. John ID. Kennedy, who was fol-
lowed in order by Col. j. n. Lipscomb,
Gen. r. K. Hempi:ili, Col. l.. +. You
mans, Dir. Tillman, Gen. Butlcr, Mr.. j.
sheppard and Governor Il nham, all
som delivered most forciblc and
addresses To the white and
- liens present, in the advocacy
ssity for continued, earnest
M effort to complete the good
work so we'll begun, of redeeming the
State from the rule of her enemies and
of lifting her from present poverty to
the plancof prosperity and equality with
her sister States of the South and OF the
Union.
Gen. Kennedy, as Chairman of the