Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1880-10-28
THE MEETING AT ROCK HILL.

Although Democratic meetings, at which
there was speaking by county candidates and
others, were held at several places in York
county last week, and were well attended by
Democratic voters, yet it remained for Rock
Hill to make the first imposing demonstration
ip the county since the opening of the present
campaign. Notice had been given that a
grand political meeting and barbecue would
be had in that town on Saturday last, and it
had the effect of attracting crowd variously
estimated at from $500 to 5000, Chester
and Lancaster contributing to swell the num-
bers, while not few came over from our SIS
ter State of North Carolina, anxious to graft.
fy laudable curiosity Of witnessing genu-
inc Red Shirt political demonstration in the
Palmetto State. 1t was desired that this
meeting should eclipse the grand ovation
given to Hampton at the same place in 1876,
and those who planned and carried out the
details of Saturdays meeting. may we'll con-
gratulate themselves upon its successful com.
pletion. Even after being lulled into security
by four years of peaceful and prosperous Dem.
ocratic government, the meeting was more
largely attended, and the enthusiasm was
greater than in the eventful days of 1876,
when the people, determined to free them
selves from the CALLING yoke of Radicalism,
rose in their. might to win the most brilliant
political victory known in the history OF. our
State.
1t was bright and clear-the perfection Of
lovely October day, peculiar to our favored
clmate-which circumstance, inasmuch as
rain had been threatened for two or three
DAYS previous, contributed much to the pleas.
antness and success of the occasion.
Leaving Yorkville early in the morning,
we arrived at Rock Hill little before 9
o'clock, the first object meeting our gaze as
we approached, being an immense United
States flag proudly floating from staff one
hundred feet high, planted in the centre of
the business portion of the town. The stores
were all closed, and at this early hour, horse.
men from various sections had arrived, and
these, with members of the local club, who
were also mounted and parading on the streets,
to inspiriting strains Of music by the Rock
Hill Cornet Band, presented an animated
scene, auguring not only the success OF the
meeting, but showing likewise that, the De.
mocracy of York are alive to the responsible
ltleS OF L06 nOuT auu Will UC ooiu6 shSh
duty on the End of November.
The procession, which marched two abreast
and extended three fourths of mile in length,
was formed at II o'clock, under direction of
Mai. A. H. White, Marshal of the day, and
was composed of the following clubs, under
lead of the captains named: Rock Hill, j.
P. Gage, 125 men Catawba, j. F. Knox,
200 men; Fort Mill, S. E. White, 1Ol men
Coates Tavern, Wyie Roddy; "a men Clay
Hill and Bethel, w. J. Nicely, l4O men
Ebenezer, H. Massey, 100 men Ebenezer, B.
C. Presley, rs men; Ebenezer, Samuel M.
Fewell 100 men Yorkville, K. I'D. Glenn
2lO-making a total, as reported by the Mar.
shal, of 1,275, among whom were few col.
ored men, who as they marched through the
streets to the music of the Rock Hill and the
Yorkville Cornet Bands, made the welkin
ring in their loud huzzahs for Hagood and
Honest Government.
The stand was erected in a beautiful grove
on the western side of the town. 1t was cap.
able of seating two hundred persons, and
besides the entire floor being carpeted, the
stand was neatly, though not profusely decor
ated with garlands and wreaths OF evergreens
and flowers. In front was streamer, Win
the Observation-Disclosures. Hancock and
Hagood. Honest Government On reach.
ing the stand the procession of horsemen
closed in front of it, and after three cheers
we're given, they dismounted and took their
horses to a place not far distant, where, by
the liberality of citizens of the town, an am.
pie supply Of provender had been provided to
feed them all.
The music now ceased, and Col. Cad Jones,
Chairman of the Rock Hill Club, announced
that the proceedings would be opened with
prayer, and requested Rev. j. M. Boyd to ad.
dress the Throne of Grace. At the conclu.
sion of the prayer, the chairman introduced
GEN j. N. LEACH,
of North Carolina, one of the Presidential
Electors at large for that State. Gen. Leach
halls from another State; but his services in
South Carolina in the days Of 1876 in behalf
n N n L L e