The Orangeburg democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1879-1881, 1879-07-11
Webster's Meetinu.

to"h Aoi lnc plcHic GROUNDS OF The
Edisto Rifles on the 4th Of July, run
ners were sent among The colored
people. ordering them to attend q
Radical poW-wow to ba held near the
residence Of the Rev. Alonzo Web
ster, OF New York Tribune notoriety.
A goodly. number obcyed the sum-
mons and respectable crowd assem-
bled about stand erected for the oc-
casion in rear Of the dwelling.
S. l.. Duncan called the meeting to
order and stated that the object was
TO celebrate the 4th Of July in mass
meeting and to discuss the present
political questions. He then intro
duced T.. w. NJ. Mackay, who, in his
usual style, addressed his fellow Re-
publicans, saying that they had met
together to discuss the present situa-
tion Of the country. The campaign
of 1880 will soon be upon us and we
must keep our ranks closed up or we
will lose the next Presidential cleo
ton. lie said: "You must all come
to the polls and cast your ballots,
whether The Democrats steal them or
not. You all know this ticket" (draw-
ing a tissue ballot from his pocket. J
Some one asked if many of tile color
ed people voted that ticket? Mackey
said: ~ don't know whether they
did or not, but O'Connor says So"
lie wanted all the colorcd people to
turn out manfully at the next cleo
tion and promised Them that Grant
would be the next President if he
wanted it if not, then some one like
Grant, or of his style. He also said
that the Democrats wanted him 20
leave the state, but he would not un-
til the next election wns over, the re-
suit of which would decide his course
of conduct.
The next speaker introduced was
Rev. Alonzo Webster, who lead his
letter published in the New York
Tribune and made speech, all the
same time. He said he had travelled
all over the State and the conduct of
The member Of his conferences prov
ed his letter to he true, for many of
Them could not attend conference be-
cause the Democrats said further en-
ployment would not be given to those
who should attend. He wanted all
in attendance at the meeting to stick
to the party. and assured them that
they would finally obtain their freed
ON and be able to enjoy it Too. The
next election would not be like the
last, for he was snre at some of the
polls there were one hundred and fifty
votes. and only two white men voted.
AT such polls the colored people were
to the majority, but were
only allowed four or five votes. He
also said the same crowd of Demo-
Gratis voted four or five times a day.
If the statement in Ills letter about
the colored people getting nothing
for their labor is not true, lie could
prove it by showing piece of money
that was issued by one Mr.. Bisbon to
pay off bis bands, and not due for col
lection until 1885. He said further
that he had done more for the bcne-
fit Of the colorcd people than any
other man in the county. Referring
to Claflin University, he said be,
through his influence, had paid over
$4,000 and now it was occupied by
another who gave him no credit for
the same. In fact, he did not wish
them to give him any credit.
The next speaker Was D. A, Stra-
ker, who said the Democrats had
promised many things but did not
fulfill one promise. First. they had
promised schools, but have had them
opened only two months, and if they
did not get better showing, the col.
ored people would leave the State.
His speech was conservative but he
was RADICAL in his resolutions,
The next speaker was George Boil
yer, who, in q quiet way and smiling
manner, said he had been invited to
the fish trap, but there was 30 many
traps for him until he was tired of
trapping. He hoped the people would
60 homo and 60 quietly, for there