Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-03-22
REPUBLICANS on THE WAR PATH

Is III III -
The FIRST Militia District Rally at Cnat-
han, uat1-Au Antf-Custom House De
nonstratfon-Disan in the Ae-
publican Ranks.
Chatham Hall was the scene Of hvely
Republican demonstration last night. Yes
tar-lav q printed call for a special district
meeting Of the members Of the First Dis
triet q. II. was circulated among the fol-
lowers Of TIE Republican camp,
notifying them 10 meet at
Chatham Hail AZ : o'clock. when
business o. great importance would Do
considered. The call was signed 2!
Joseph Williams. Chairman Of the Cls-
trict. and Joseph Hamilton. secretary.
The character % the meeting was nol
stated. and 70 anyone unfamiliar with lAs
names II the sIyuers and unacquainled
with the fact that il was intended as a
call for a Republican political meeting
II CONVEYED 10 niur whether u was 70 pe
political or religious, Republican OF De-i.o-
cratic.
porter found a dozen or more coiOTed men
5ra-tared about On Bolton street N the
Vicinity Of the hall. leaning against tue
fences. apparently waiting for something
a somehow % turn up. Climbing the
dimlv lighted stairway about fifty more,
with half dozen prominent
white Republicans, among whom
were Col a. y. Wilson. Of the Revenue
Omce.aud Col. +. G. Wade, Deputy United
states Marshal. were gathered in knots
quietly discussing the issues Of the occa-
sion. II was evident the masses had not
arrived. The NEWS man inquired what
was the object Of the meeting. and was
told by one % the leaders that 1t was =
rally. but nothing more could
be learned until the Chairman
whackei his hickory over the table and
called the members 10 order. 4 few
minutes later Waring Russell, ESD. ap-
peared on the scene. il was apparent at
a glance that IL was to be an antl-custom
house meeting. Coils. Wilson and Wade
and the heavy men Of the district took a
position at the head Of the hall by the
Chairman's table. where the NEWS man
was also invited to a seat.
The custom house faction ranged
itself on one side Of the hall on bench
opposite to the masses, who were gath
cred on the other side. The crowd had
increased until there were probably two
hundred in the room, when the meeting
was called to order. The Chair
man called upon the Rev.
I Q. J.. DeIamotta to invoke divine
I
\ those who had assembled in support Of
/ "lhe great principles Of the party" He
/ then appointed three lusty, aDle-Dodled
Z Sergeant s-at-Arms 70 preserve ORDER and
/ stationed them. one at the entrance 10 the
/ hall and the other two in opposite corners
\ with the charge TO "pick no row" with
anyb body. but if any disorder should occur
/ u gently take the man home without
any muss."
/ There were no indications Of a disturb
ance, but the move was deemed advisable
T as a precautionary measure. lie then
stated that the meeting had been called
1 bv his order for the transaction OF certain
/ important business. and after It had beer
/ considered he would call upon the speak
/ ers. who were expected TO be present, U
I discuss the issues Of the day.
The first business taken up was the aI
pointment Of District Executive Com
/ mittee Of seven members and a ralyln.
/ committee Of fifteen members, which wa.
/ ACCOMPLISHED after considerable discus
sion and interruption by the minority
Z faction.
The Chairman then stated that further
/ than the appointment Of the committees
I tho principal object Of the meeting was 4
impress upon the c0l0red people the
/ necessity for registration IN order thai
( they might exercise their FRANCHISE az
Z voters. TIC tdiltu upDl Npls - ~
| Wilson 70 address the meeting. Col
Z Wilson arose and took of his oYercoat
but before he had time to address the
/ chair. the reverend brother present
jumped up, and with an apology for hi;
interruption, proceeded 10 introduce the
/ speaker as leader Of the
/ Republican party and staunch member
Of the true faction. Col. Wilson was then
allowed 10 proceed, and talked for half an
/ n0ur on what he had done for the Repub
| Leans of Georgia, and how no effort Of the
I party had every succeeded IN Chatham
/ county or the First Congressional district
except he had planned it and had been Its
handspring.
After Col. Wilson had taken his seat
/ there was "A chorus Of calls for Cyrus L.
/ Brown. and Brown mOdestly appeared on
/ the floor. After laudatOry alluslon 70
/ tue speaker who had preceded him, he
/ let himself into the subject, and dug up
| the facts at the bottom Of the issue in
| true campaign style.
At the conclusion Of the speech other
| speakers followed, holding up the princi
pies of the party, and urging on its repre-
/ gpufatfyps To caDfuTe the field and hold IT