Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1882-09-21
The State Ganpass.
THE YORK DEMOCRACY.
LARGE AND ENTHUSIASTIC MEETING IN
YORKVILLE.

The meeting in Yorkville, on the 18th in
slant, in honor of the canvassers on the State
Democratic ticket, was one of the largest ant
most imposing political gatherings at thi:
place since the memorable days of 1876; ant
but for the absence of the Red Shirts, which
then literally and typically bid defiance tt
the robber crew, the scenes of the day viv
idly recalled recollections Of that struggle
Though the present campaign is conduct
ed on the defensive, instead of an aggres
sive plan, as WAS that in which Hampton
led the Democratic hosts to victory in 1876
and though there is no formidable enemy
openly in the field, yet the earnestness of the
York Democracy was no less conspicuous Oh
the 18th than when our people stood shoulder
to shoulder in the determined effort to redeem
our State in the dark days preceding the
dawn of Home Rule and Honest Govern
ment The day was lovely, bright and pleas
ant, and at an early hour the constant ar
irving of people from every direction, gave
evidence that the canvassers would be greeted
by a fair representation of the sturdy SONS
and lovely daughters of old York. The pub
lie speakers, consisting of Hon. Hugh S.
Thompson, Col. G. Richardson Miles and Hon.
J. J. Hemphill, arrived from Spartanburg on
the 10 O'Clock train and were met at the depot
by a committee of citizens appointed for the
purpose, and then escorted by the Jenkins
Rifles, Capt. j. r. Lindsay, and the York
vile Cornet Band, to quarters provided fol
them at the Rawlinson House. At half past
ten the procession Of mounted horsemen was
formed at the old Academy, head of Congress
street, under command of Col. VIM. II. Nc.
Corkle, Chief Marshal, with Messrs. w. j.
Nicely, ]. Dudley JONES' j. R. Logan and j.
r. Lindsay, assistants. The procession, near
1000 strong, comprising representatives from
every voting precinct in the county, the re-
spective precincts designated by sashes worn
by the horsemen, marched to inspiriting mu-
sic by the Rock Hill Silver Cornet Band,
through Congress street, the head of the
column halting at the entrance to Hart's
grove near the depot. The lines then opened
and the speakers and distinguished citizens
in carriages were driven through amid the
lusty cheers of the York Democracy, to the
stand which had been erected in the grove,
on the same spot from which Hampton uttered
words of encouragement and cheer in 1876.
The stand, from which floated the United
States flag, was large and commodious, and
by woman'S fair hands had been tastefully
and beautifully decorated with evergreens and
flowers Here the speakers met large crowd
already assembled, and what must have been
no less gratifying to these gallant and knight
ly gentlemen, the occasion was lit up by the
radiant smiles Of hundreds of York's lovely
daughters, whose presence lent charmed in
spiration to the proceedings. Excellent mu-
sic was furnished by the Rock Hill Silver Cor
net Band, Mr. r. H. Hope, leader, and the
Yorkville Silver Colnet Band, led by Mr.. R.
J. Herndon, the bands playing alternately on
music stands erected for their accommodation.
The speakers were delighted with the unex-
pected display of enthusiasm, the first earnest
demonstration they had met with on the can
vass. The crowd, though large, was excep-
tionally orderly, another gratifying indication
to the distinguished visitors ; and under the
admirable management of our efficient Coun-
ty Chairman, Capt. r. H. Glenn, and tile
committees under his direction, every arrange
ment was perfect for ensuring complete and
satisfactory meeting. A striking feature was
the large number of colored citizens who took
a position near the speakers stand and were
attentive listeners to all that was said.
The meeting was called to order by Col. a.
Coward, who announced that Capt. r. Fl.
Glenn, County Chairman, had been called
away on important business and requested
him to act in his stead on the present occasion.
He said the proceedings would be opened by
prayer, and called upon Rev...T. r. English TO
invoke the divine blessing After an impress
sive prayer by the clergyman, Col. Coward
then said
Ladies' of York-It is with infinite pleasure
that on behalf of the County Chairman and the
eminent speakers who are to address the people
that welcome you here to-day. 1t is, how
ever, with 10 surprise that / behold this
splendid array of beauty and loveliness be-
fore me. The noble women of York county
have never yet fallen short of showing their
interest and devotion to the cause of their
State, and in this respect the women and men
of York are in perfect accord, as they are in
every other good work. You, worthy sons of
OIk, HAVE ulOppCu SOul dfoOuIlolio Vo-uoO
for the call of duty, and well may we feel
proud Of the large number of the voters of
the county who are present on this occa-
sion, which is one of great moment. You
are here in your line of duty as citizens of Il
State rising from the thraldom from which
you rescued it in 1876, the memory of which
glorious struggle must be still deeply rooted
in your minds, and will prove an incentive to
the Democracy of South Carolina to perpet-
uate the rule of the party of order, economy
and civilization. 1t is a source of gratif-
cation that we are here to-day in the en-
joyment of the fruits of the victory won in
1876 under the lead of Hampton, and it is with
no ordinary degree of pride that l can say,
that the promises made in that canvass have
been verified. 1t is with pleasure that | i'll
troduce to you one who for the past six years
has filled an office of honor and trust in your
State government and of whom you can say
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant )"
one of whom history will record that he has
been true and devoted to the educational i'll
terests of the State, and as he has shown his
capacity as public officer, and devotion to
the people in that trust, we will honor him
with renewed testimony of our appreciation Of
his worth 1t is, then, with pleasure that |
introduce to you
HUGH S. THOMPSON,
the next Governor of South Carolina.
Col. Thompson's appearance before the au-
dience was the signal for loud cheers and all
pause. He said This is the first occasion
that it has been my good fortune to stand
before the good people of York in the discharge
of my duty as one Of the State canvassers. In
the three preceding canvasses of the Demo-
cratic party of this State it was not my good
fortune to be assigned to York county but l
have invariably heard good reports from this
people by those who have visited you on for
o,,1 f1,a .,1,c nf