The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1889-11-14
Republican Rally.

The largest and most enthusiastic Re-
publican or negro meeting that has been
seen in Anderson since the days prior to
1876 was held here last Monday night 1t
was equal to circus to the lookers-on,
and brought back forcibly to the minds
Of our citizens the scenes and incidents
that often occurred when the thieving
carpet. baggers would come around on
their campaign tours.
The meeting had been called at the
solicitation of Mr.. Walker w. Russell,
who is now using every effort to be the
successor of Anderson's present efficient
Postmaster, Mr.. G. w. Webb. For sew
eral days preceding Monday Mr. Russell
had been In Anderson and occasionally
could be seen on the streets talking to
small groups of negroes. Henry Kenne'
dy, colored, who claims to be the County
Chairman ofthe Republican party of An
derson County, issued call for the meet
ing, and for two or three days messengers
were sent to vari GUS sections OF the
County urging The negroes to attend it.
On Monday morning Mr.. Russell e1-
tended an invitation to Mayor Tribble
and the editor of the local papers to
attend the meeting, which, he said, would
be held in O'Donnell's Hall at s o'clock.
He further stated that he did not intend
making q speech, but simply to tell the
negroes, in short talk, his position in the
political world and his object seeking
the position of Postmaster of Anderson.
Before dark Monday evening large crowds
of negroes could be seen coming into the
city from every direction, some from
distance of fifteen or twenty miles. 1t was
soon evident that no hall in the city would
accommodate the crowd, and the County
Chairman stated to large number of en-
uulrers that the meeting would be held on
the Court House Square. In the meantime
Col. John R. Cochran, the only white
Republican, we believe, in the County, and
whose wife is IN applicant for the
Postoffice, could be seen circulating among
the negroes, and it was runlored that he
was in favor of the meeting being held on
theSquare, and chat he proposed to address
the crowd after Mr.. Russell had concluded
his remarks. Mr.. Russell, however, had
stated previously that be would not meet
with them on the Square, and insisted that
the meeting be held in private hall.
O'Donnell's Hall was lighted, and before
8 o'clock large crowd had gathered
around the entrance. III short time the
the negro band put in appearance, and
followed by the crowd, marched to the
east front OF the Court House. A large
crowd OF our white citizens turned out,
each one seemingly eager to hear what
was said and done. The crowd of fnegroes
was estimated at about 500.
Henry Kennedy, seated upon the Court
House veranda, called the meeting to or.
der. and stated that it had been called at
the solicitation of Mr. Russell, who desired
to address the crowd. A. @. Haynie was
appointed to act as Secretary. A commit
tee was then appointed to await upon Mr..
Russell, who was in his brothers office,
and inform him that the meeting was
ready to hear him speak. This Commit
tee retired and in a short time returned
and reported that Mr.. Russell would not
address them in an open air meeting, but
would 20 with them to private hall.
The report was received, and the chairman
stated that il Mr.. Russell could not meet
them then and there, he could not meet
them al any other place.
Col. Cochran being present, the chair
man introduced him To the crowd. Col.