The Abbeville messenger. (Abbeville, S.C.) 1884-1887, 1885-06-03
CONSUL GENERAL MORGAN.
The Appointment Considered mt Black.
vile.
From Special Correspondent of News and
Courier.

| BLACKf1L1E, May Z3.-Somc surprise
was caused in this community, this
week, by the publication in the county
papers Of the following notice to the
local Democratic club:
SPECIAL NoTIcE.-The members of
| the Blackvillc Democratic Club are re-
| quested to meet at Court House Hall ut
4 O'Clock next Saturday afternoon to
! consider the appointment OF James
! Morris Morgan, "of South Carolina" as
consul-gcneral Of tho United States at
Melbourne, Australia. A full and
punctual attendance is requested.
W. r. KELLY, Chairman.
H. w. BRIGGs, Secretary.
Upon arriving here to-day several
hours before the time set for the meeting,
1 employed the leisure thus afforded
me by interviewing several prominent
citizens in regard to the call Of the
club and the matter which was appoint
cd for its consideration. was assured
that the cause had occasioncd general
surprise rs stated, and that the interest
in the matter was confined to perhaps
half-dozen persons at most. 1t was
anticipated that not moro than that
number Of members Of the club, in
Guiding the officers, who issued the
notice, would attend the meeting, and
several leading members expressed
either their strong disapproval Of the
call, or their ignorance Of any local
feeling or sentiment which could have
warranted issuance. It was also
stated, however, that the fact that Capt.
f. w. Dawson was in town and propcs-
cd to address the meeting had become
generally known, and il was anticipated
that his presence under the circum-
stances would attract a comparatively
large attendance. This surmisc proved
to DC correct, and when the town bell
announced the hour Of meeting, at 4
O'Clock, perhaps an hundred Of the in
tclligent and respectable citizens of the
town and county assembled in the town
hall to hear or take part in the proceed
ings. The last public meeting that
attended in this place WAS in 1876, and
was held in front Of the building where
the club was called to meet to-day.
The number present on that occasion
was estimated at from five to seven
thousand, rs nearly as I can rccollcct,
and the contrast to-day; was somewhat
painful; but the meeting to-day proved
to be an interesting one, and showed, no
less than that Of 1876, that the Banner
County possesses an exceedingly level
head as we'll as territory, and is not
easily to be stirred up over triflcs, while
it is always ready to show its teeth and
its might when proper occasion de-
mands.
The meetingswas called to order by
Mr.. w. II. Kelly, the chairman Of the
Blackville Democratic Club, who briefly
referred to the object which the club
had been summoned to consider. Since
the last meeting Of the club, he said, a
Democratic President of the United
States had been elected. His election
necessitated great many changes in
Office. One Of the appointments he has
made is the object of calling this meet
ing. That appointment is the appoint
ment of Mr.. j. NJ. Morgan as consul
general to Australia. Tho newspapers,
which have always told us tho truth,
have told US that Mr.. Morgan has al
ways affiliated with the Republicans
that he is not citizen Of South Caro-
lima that it was the recommendation,
and upon the request Of Capt. F. W.
Dawson. the member of tho National
Democratic Committee from South
Carolina, that this appointment was
made. Deeming it q matter Of impor.
tance, Mr.. Kelly said he had called the
club together that it might announce its
opinion.
Major l.. I. Izlar offer the following
resolutions, which were read and
seconed:
Whereas, this club has been called to.
gethcr for the purpose Of considering
the appointment Of j. M. Morgan AZ
consul general to Melbourne, Australia
and, whereas, it is understood that Capt
+. NJ. Dawson. the member of the M.
tional Democratic Executive Commit.
tee from South Carolina, assumes the
responsibility of said appointment ant
is present and dcsirous Of being heart
in reference thereto:
Resolved, That Capt. Dawson be in,
vited to seat in the club, and that the
privileges Of the floor be extended tt
him.
2. Resolred, That Capt. Dawson bt
requested to address this club at once
as to the fitness and propiety Of the
said appointment under Democratic
government, as involved in the follow.
ing propositions:
1st. Mr.. Morgan soundness as Dem
ocrat.
! I'd. His claims upon the Democratic
party, National or State.
Sd. His citizenship as to South Caro-
lima.
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