Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-05
MIR. DAVIS AND THE BELL.

IllO. IL was SIedG ut>y lol lllC CAPo"ieioh,
and extensive preparations had been made
for the reception of the time-honored Revo-
lutionary relic. Among other eminent per-
sons invited to take part in the proceedings
was ex-President Jefferson Davis, who met
the special train bearing the bell at Beau
voir, Miss, and made a brief speech there.
A large number of citizens Of New Orleans
and Philadelphia also met the train at that
point, and all went together to the city
where the streets were lined with people
for miles. Salutes were fired, whistles
blown, and flags displayed on the shipping.
A grand reception was given at Music Hall
on Wednesday night
When the train bearing the bell drew up
at Beauvoir, among the crowd assembled
at the station was Varina Davis Hayes, a
little grand-chid Of Jefferson Davis. AS
soon as the train stopped gentleman caught
the child in his arms and lifted her to
the bell, which she warmly clasped with
her tiny arms and reverntly kissed. exclaim-
ing, "God bless the dear old bell"
The incident was greeted with cheers,
which had not entirely subsidized when Mr..
Davis himself drove up with an escort OF
gentlemen who had been sent for him. Up
on his arrival Frank Bacon, United States
commissioner of Kansas and president of the
committee, greeting him, said:
"Mr. Davis, in behalf of the association
of United States commissioners representing
the different States and Territories of our
common country, joined by great common
industries and the representatives of vari-
Gus military organizations throughout the
Union, we extend to you cordial invita-
ton to join us in escorting to New Orleans
and to the Exposition grounds the old Lib
erty bell so generously loaned US by the
City of Brotherly Love. AS the bell in its
vigor proclaimed liberty throughout the
land, and it's sentiment was Peace on earth
and good will to men, and as history ever
repeats itself, we believe its visit to the
South will be the effectual means of burylng
all sectional strife. We hope, MIR. Davis,
that your engagements will allow you to
accompany US on this excursion to the EX-
position grounds to aid Us in the reception
of the bell" ,....
Mr.. Davis responded as follows:
81 feel most deeply complimented by this
reception and the expressions that accom-
pany it. | was sick in bed when this notice
reached me, and / Immediately rose when
| heard that the glorious old bell was at the
station. l thank you and your associates,
and trust that your anticipations CT the har-
monzing tendencies of this journey OF the
old bell across the States of the Union, some
of which had not sprung into existence
when it's tones first filled the air, may in
every respect be fully realized. l think
the time has come when reason should be
substituted for passion and when men who
have fought in support of their honest con-
victons should do justice to each other.
You, sacred organ that gave voice to the
proudest declaration that a handful OF men
ever made when they faced the greatest
military power on the globe, when hand
inalienable rights and staked life, liberty
and prosperity in defence of this declaration,
then it was with your clear tones you sent
notice to all who were willing to live or
die for liberty, and felt that the day was at
hand when every patriot must do patriots
duty. Glorious old bell, the son of Rev
olutionary soldier bows in reverence to you,
worn by time, but increasing in sacred
memories. Mr.. President, acceptmy thanks,
which are heartfelt and sincerely given"
DEATH OF MARTIN r. DELANEY.-lnt
ligence was received in the city yesterday
of the death at Wilberforce, Ohio, Of Major
Martin r.. Delaney, who was one OF the
most prominent negroes in the country, and
who was at one time something of a prOmi-
nent figure in this State. Major Delaney
had a long and eventful life. He was born
in Charleston, Virginia, in May, 1872, and
was the son of Samuel and Patty Della
ney. In biography of the Major written
by Frank a. Rolin, cOl0red woman OF
Charleston, and published in 1868, it is stat
ed that Samuel Delaney was the son OF an
African cheftain, who was captured and
brought to this country, and that the father
of Patty Delaney was an African Prince
from the Niger Valley regions of Central
Africa. The Major himself always bOaSted
of his pure African blood.
The Major, by some means, acquired some
thing of an education. At an early age he
went to Pittsburg Pa, where he attended
school, and from 1884 untilth breaking outo$
the war he was more or less connected Will
the abolition movement in the North. He
studied medicine, it is said, but was never
graduated, and he also became connected
with several newspapers devoted to the in,
terests OF the colored people. He practiced
medicine in Kent county, Canada, in 1886,
where it is said he met the famous Abolition
list, John Brown, and in 1859 went to Africa
with an exploring party, spendlnga: year on
the Dark Continent. 1t was after this eXplo-
ration that the Major attained the great dis
tnctiOn of his life, viz 4 seat in the Inter-
national Statistical Congress, which was
held in London and over which the late
Prince Albert presided. Delaney's presence
is said to have been the occasion of the
withdrawal of the American delegation
from that body.
In 1861 Delaney returned to the United
States and made an effort to organize
"Corps d. Afrique," but failed. lie also
held Il subordinate position in the organiza-
ton and recruiting of the 5lth Massachu-
setts regiment, colored troops, and applied
for the position of surgeon to the regiment,
but failed to get the appointment. lie sub
sequently got an appointment from some
source as Major in the army and in that ca
pacity appeared in South Carolina about the
close of the war. He was connected with the
Frecdman's Bureau until the abandonment
ofthat institution and then settled in Charles
ton. Mai. Delaney, like many of his race, was
too good Il man to be a popular politician.
He was not in good Odor with his race be-
cause he took too high Il view of the duties
of citizenship and refused to follow at the
beck and cali of the rascals who led the col
ored voters to the plumber OF the down.
trOdden State.
In 1871 he was nominated for Lieutenant
Governor by the Independent Republicans,
who placed the late Judge Green III noml-
ton for Governor, and was supported by
many of the white voters OF the State, but
was beaten by Governor Chamberlain. He
removed from Charleston several years ago
and went to Wilberforce, where he died on
the 24th OF January (h0vicSfOn Ne'rS, '&H'-
dny.