Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1878-10-17
EXCITEMENT AT SUMTER.

lue Augusta OfTobGCtc Coutoiuo sho AoAAo"
ing telegraphic correspondence from Sumter,
detailing the proceedings of the political
meetings in that town on Saturday last. We
congratulate the people of Sumter and of the
State on toe triumph of the Hampton policy
in the conduct of the Democratic meeting,
and their treatment of the Republicans.
Democrats throughout the State should bear
in mind that the least departure from the pol
icy laid down by Hampton two years ago,
and then so happily followed, will revert the
State to the same condition as before the era
of Hampton Government Let the people
not rashly throw away the priceless liberties
then so dearly won. The correspondent says !:
To-day, Saturday the 12th,) in Sumter,
there was a grand triumph OF the Hamp-
ton policy. Last night a conference OF the
leading Democrats was held which determln-
ed the programme for to-day. AT three TINS
morning, the local cannon began firing. AT
five the Columbia Flying ARTILLERY, Captain
w. B. Lawrance, opened with two field pieces
and kept it up all day till after the meeting.
About five hundred Radical negroes assem-
bed near Emanuel (colored) Church, against
which small stage was erected.
Many cart loads of arms were concealed IN
the church ready for use. Three thousand
Democrats, including many negroes, assem-
bled in the principal streets OF the town, and
two splendid bands furnished music for the oc-
casiOn. Messages passed between the respec-
tive parties concerning joint discussion, but
there was no result, because Samuel Lee, the
heroic Radical leader, had crawled into hole
and drarrnd his hnlo IN after him He could
not be found anywhere, and kept hid all day.
The Radical meeting was all colored, except
one white man named COghlan, who is 81 years
old, is in his dOtage, and is financially broke
He is Chairman of the Board OF County Com
msSioners, and was elected to this Office by
the Radicals two years ago. His term expires
this November. The Office yields the large
sum of two hundred dollars annually. Bowen
the white Radical Sheriff of Charleston Taft,
the white Radical Senator from Charleston ;
Rainey, the yellow member Of Congress from
this District and formerly Charleston bar
Der; and several Northern Radical orators,
were expected by the Radicals, but not one
came. Their only speakers were Butler
Spears, the jailor of this county, tan colored /;
Andrews, Radical black member of the State
Legislature, and poor old Coghlan.
TODAY. for the first time, Andrews, a Radl-
cal leader, proposed to the Democrats to as
semble and then adjourn, he having no big
fish to hold his crowd together. The Radicals
marched through the town in going home,
and some impetuOuS youths followed them,
cheering for Hampton A. collision was i'm
minent in the town, but was prevented by the
GOODNESS of General Johnson Hagood, who
rode slowly to the spot with six hundred
mounted Democrats, all equally cool. A riot
was avoided by the great show of force and
the personal eXertiOnS of few determined cit
liens. and quiet was restored. The Demo-
Gratis organized their meeting in front OF the
Court House.
Another disturbance occurred, but was soon
over Coghlan then detied the Democrats and
stood on the steps and drew revolver. He
was seized and was in great danger, but was
rescued by some of the Democrats, and after
wards conducted home by three Democrats.
Acknowledgement Noise, Hon. j. 5. Richard
son, the Democratic Congressional nominee
against Rainey, and others, made eloquent
speeches. Many colored Radicals listened re-
spectfully. The meeting closed quietly with
free dinner at the Town Hall for all out
of-town Democrats, and abundant proven
der was provided for their horses. The Demo-
Gratis skillfully avoided the trap set for them
by the Washington Radicals
They gained all their points without strlk-
ing a blow. The Republican party is dead and
buried in Sumter county, and III the entire
State, by strict adherence to the Hampton
-r+-li0s-of-peaca- and-ennd- feeling to the de-
luded negro Masses and GOODNESS, forbearance
and patience, backed by an overwhelming force
ready to act as he should dictate. Although
absent in person he was present in spirit, and
was ably represented by Hagood, Thompson
and Noise, of his Cabinet; Fraser, County
Chairman; Dargan and Earle, of his staff ;
Richardson, Congressional nominee, and many
other true and tried men. There is general
satisfaction at the result of to-day's work, and
absolute confidence in success in November.