New-York tribune., 1878-10-16

pOndent, dated Sumter, 5. O., Oct IL, from
which it appears that an open and sue
cessful effort was made by the Democrats to pre-
vent the meeting, notwithstanding the factth the
United States authorities were to be present and
give to the participants in the meeting the protec-
tion of the General Government.
According to this correspondent, invitations were
sent by the Democrats to Citizens of Darlington,
Kershaw Richland and Clarendon, to come
over in force sufficient to insure fair play
in the event of trouble" This invitation
met with a general response, and not
only the County of Sumter Clubs" turned
out but several companies from the other counties
named came also, some of them riding fifty miles to
attend. As further measure of precautiOn, " de-
tail of the Columbia Flying Artillery was called
out and set to work firing salutes, which they did
patiently and persistently at intervals Of fifteen
minutes from about o'clock until daylight" The
correspondent continues:
The town next morning and until the hour Of noon
presented the usual OF hustle and confusion which
has characterized all similar demOnstrat9ns In me
State for several years past Red shirts abounded
needlessly engaged in hurTahng. At early hour in
the day the chairman OF the Democratic Committee sent
messenger 10 the Republicans with proposition Tor
division Of time, but the messenger returned after
some delay bringing word that Lee, the man to whom
the proposition was addressed, could not be found.
Word was also brought that III consequence OF the nom
arrival OF the Republican speakers the meeting would
marched TO the depot, where they organized
h9a OSns held Or some Som d d mee
in church. but judging from the account given of it, 1t
lacked eadt rship, and not Of sufficient importance
TO call for the attention Of the Democratic peacemakers
The adjournment of the Democratic meeting followed
Immediately after that Of the Republicans aud the two
crowds went together toward the of the town.
The negroes were in advance however and, according
the correspondent attempted TO interfere with the
Democrats. who were following them.
This taken token OF defiance, and snllen looks
on the one side and flushed faces on the other
gave uDmistakable evidence that mischief was
brewing and imminent. All was confusion;
prepared for business The negroes crowded the Court
House steps, while the Democrats formed IN line OF bat
te with hxed bayones and with artillery in position on
their anks faced the Republicans In this position one
luokess Republican was arrested for some one
of his companions, according to the account, attempted
rescue but in the twinking Of eye he was seized
BY H5eq Ta 10 %aS s spC wSafs
be had entered the surging mass and shot ,. out
feiled him like an ok, and stretched him face
downward, senseless and bleeding on the cage OF
minute between the opposing parties Ihe blow tnat
feled him saved his fe however dozen weapons were
Srm @uzes M that drove back squad Of his fellows
which had started forward TO hls assistance
defiant speech which he s said TO have referred dis
respectfully TO Governor Hampton. HIS voice
down" Throw him over the railing" "Kil him."
"Kill the scOundre" and many others OF Ike purport,
and confusion. Two three young men rushed across
the street, and commenced 10 climb the stairs
SS FegGS as would io PERMIT feS
suficed TO bring them almost within reach OF
him, when seeing their near approach and re-
alizng at the danger into which he had thrust him
self. Coghlan ran his hand quickly into his bos,
om drew and cooked his pistol This regarded
by both sides the signal for general fight. 10 less
time than IL has taken TO read this line iu 800 rifles and
pistols were directed upward and at him AZ the crowd
OF negroes his vicinity bag OF tenpenny nails was
rammed hastily into the mouth OF the cannon which
the long expected fight would have begun.
The writer then relates the several acts of "hero-
ism" performed by the leaders of the Democracy
in restraining their own followers. The negroes fed
in all directions and the town of Sumter left to
its normal quetude The tone of the article is as if
it was written by whose prejudices are entirely
on the side of the Democracy. Yet the picture
painted by the writer is sufficiently terrible to war
rant the worst apprehensiOns which have been felt.
1t is probable that al account of these events from
the Republican side will be received tomorrow.