The daily gazette., 1880-08-04
FIRST EDITION.
HARRIS AT THE HALL.

HE Is ALLOWED TO SPEAK, BUT BLOOD
THIRSTY NEGROES CHASE HIM ON
THE STREET.
John Harris, whose proud distinc-
tion of being a Democratic negro was
not favorably viewed by any class of
people in this city, least of all by the
negroes, made his long talked of DEM
ocratic speech in the City Hall last
night. At first it was thought that he
would have to speak from the Hall
steps, but finally he forked over the
two dollars required for the use of the
City Hall and the gas was lighted.
Harris organized his own meeting
and acted as chairman thereof, as well
as the principal speaker. When he
commenced the Hall was scarcely half
full, but others came dropping in from
time to time, until nearly four hun
dred people were assembled. A num-
Der of negroes were among the audi
ence, and they gazed threateningly at
their sable brother as though they
would like to spring upon him and
rend him limb from limb. One or two
policemen remained in the Hall during
the meeting so as to be ready to quell
any turbulent proceedings that might
be originated.
Harris introduced himself and as he
spoke he walked back and forth upon
the platform. His speech contained
no argument or sound reasoning, but
he made some good thrusts at the Re-
publicans when he declared they cared
nothing for the negro further than to
secure his vote. He eulogized Ben
Butler and Wade Hampton, inlimatlng
that he enjoyed the acquaintance of
the latter gentleman. He compared
the respective conditions of the negro,
north and south, and declared the Re-
publican party north had no use for
the negro, except as far as his vote was
concerned.
During The speaking applause from
| few white men and groans from the
negroes were of frequent occurrence.
After taking up collection, which re-
turned him less than fifty cents, Har-
ris closed his meeting and the crowd
retired. When the speaker came out
ON the pavement gang ofrough-look-
ing negroes Immediately closed around
and began pushing each other towards
him in an evident attempt to obtain
some pretext for assaultinP him. Some
one announced that Lewis p. Bush
| Henry, negro would answer Harris
harrangue at meeting of the Higgins
Club, tonight. Harris replied that
he would not be there, and then began
to edge his way out of the crowd, The
other negroes followed him up, and
some began to yell, "kill the ID
nigger," Shit him with brick" anC
kindred expressions, whereupon Har
ris lodged down the steps and intt
the eating saloon at Sixth and Marke
i streets.
Here he remained for fifteen minutes
while his negro pursuers scattered, bu
| remained In the immediate vicinity
lurking in convenient hiding places, 81
| as to be ready to spring upon the "Dem
ocratic nigger," as they called him, whei
he disappeared. He came out and walke
down Market street, almost to Fifth
when u crowd of negroes dashed afte
him with yell. Harris ran like deel
but at Fourth and Shipley streets he wa
caught by gang of black ronghs, VIII
| at on started To beat him in q livel
manner. His superior agility, howeve
and a pair of unusually leng legs, save
his hide, and he managed to break ava
from the restraining hands that held hi
and make another run for his life. a
Market street be met policemen Beri
hardt, Paradee, Dowlin and Farrad.
| who at his request escorted him to I'll
depot. The pursuers followed him at
respectful distance, though determine
to take advantage of the slightest oppo
tunity Of killing their man, but the of
GERS remained at the depot until the trai
started for Philadelphia. Harris e.
pressed his intention ofleaving Wilmin
ton for good, and is expected to cor
) mence work ON the Chester negroes in
few days.