The Pickens sentinel. [volume] (Pickens, S.C.) 1871-1903, 1892-04-28
THE FIRST MEETING,
SPEECHES MADE BY TILLMAN. SHEp-
PARD, GARY AND ORR.

GREENvILLE, s. g., April lG.-The
first meeting Of the campaign was held
here today, at which speeches were
made by Gov. Tillman, EX-Gov Shep-
pard, Lieutenant Gov. Gary and Col. j.
IL. Orr. The parties were carried from
the hotel in two carriages. The first of
these contained Governor Tillmau, cX-
Governor Sheppard, Mayor GirraLh and
Gen. j. w. Gray. In tho second were
Lieutenant Governor Gary. Col. J. +,
Orr, eX.lcutrnanL Governor w. l..
Maudin aud Attorney General Nc
Laurin. The stand was reached about
ii O'Clock, where about four thousand
people were found awaiting the sDaak-
ers. a lew minutes afterwards the
meeting was called TO order by Gen. J.
w. Gray, who announced that the pro-
cccdings would DE opened with prayer
by the Rev. j. Il. Pate. At the Conclu-
sion 1.-THE prayer Gen. Gray said: "We
arc assembled on this occasion TO hear n
joint discussion OF the momcntous polIt-
ral issues which are agitatlng the State
from the mountains to the sea. Dis
llngushtd gentlemen are here at the in
Vltatlon OF the Democracy Of Greenyille
to speak upon matters which concern us
all. Being our guests, | know they will
receive tie utmost courtesy and respect
from this intelligent asscmblagc. The
reputation Of Grccnvllle county for
civllity and conservatism is too widely
Known, TO well established TO permit
anything elsc.n
lie then announced the order of sneak.
ing, ana as chairman he bespoke a
pallent ard respectful hearing for each
speaker. lie then introduced Governor
human in liatlcring speech, referring
TO him .Snf the great hero of 1890 who
Moscs-hke had led his followers through
MANY y,flssltuGcs, who had planted
their ban, hcrs on the citadel Of the State
cooilal o,nd had held them there to this
day uns rllicd. Cloud applause.) lie
was a m hn who X the language of the
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS., had neIcr COM
promitsIn principle, avoided foe, be-
ira3 edn trust or IL friend or lost battle.
GOV. TILI.ArAN OPENS.
Governor Tllman promptly came TO
the front dressed in new, we'll tittlng
suit OF dark clothes with q Prince AlberL
coat buttoncd closely about hlm and
looked wtll kept, well groomed and
prosperous. rs he rose TO pull OIL lis
0yercoat the cheering was prolongt d .
Alngled with the cheers were cries of
down in lront' and variety Of O,her
demands and calls. This cOntinucI for
several seconds. Just as silence was
restored boy ncal [ " front called out
shrllly "lurrah fer Sheppard anG Orru
The sudden interruption and the treble
voice evoked aroar OF laughter, followed
by cheering, hooting and confused
variety OF opposing cries.
"Mr. Chairman, ladies and fellow
Democrats-"began Governor Til.nan.
tor Few minutes the cheering and
cries were renewed. When the noise
had partially subsidized Governor Till
man SAID 1T afforded him great pleasure
alter an absence of nearly two years to
again stand face to face with the men
OF Greenvllle and the Piedmont escarp.
ment. when last addressed you on
this spot, he said, 81 appeared as a
man put forward by the people to lead
we ilgnt 1or Jefiersonian Democracy"
IA Volce-"you done lt.D | thank YOU
brst for the gallant manner in which
you supported me, both at the conven-
non and in the general election in No
EemDer. For eighteen months | have
Dten governor by your Suffrapes. |
appear here tor the first time as a can
0ldate and ask you to re-elect me
lCries OF "Well DO it.'D am here to
give an account al my stewardship and
meet my traducers faco to face. CAD.
SPlauSe) The issue Of 1890 was whether
Ehe people OF South Carolina should
rule or the ring. (Cheers) We broke
fhe Sh old rlhg to atoms (cheers) and have
formed a new ring, a handS-al round
ing. Cloud applause) The old ring.
IKE Jointed snake, has wriggled and
MliSgled until 1t has got together
agaln: CLaughtCr) The issue now is
III lew words, Is whether the neonle
OIL south Carolina Shall govern or the
monopolles and corporations. I'm nil
Tree governments two parties are nee.
esSary. We have but one decent party
IN South Carolina-the Democratic
party. heretofore we have had to sub
mt without discrimination. We had
not the benefit Of free and fun dis
cussion.
Some Of us invented the March con.
Il" tnCiol, continued the governor, "by
Whlch Il portion Of the Democratic par
ty met and laid out its grievances. Dut
out candidates and invited opposition,
On. no! Tillman and his methods were
Iiulclled and denounced by the Iews
papels ara by every ring stump orator
Ill tne State. Our jriennS, the enemy
no" come forward and say, bows, Won,
Mele pretty sharp and we are going to
imltale YOU cloud cheers and laugh
ter we dldnt patent the March con.
Ventlon ard therefore can't claim a
royalty On 'em. ! do say that the fact
that they acknowledged there was vir
tue in that convention and that it was
legitimate, is Il confession that and
those with me were two Years in ad-
vance OF them in Statesmanship. |
congratulate yOn that we can come
Eefe nntrammc!led, free and olen to
discuss everything and that the danger
Whlch confronted lis is over, if the gen.
tlemen (pointlng to Sheppard and ORR
mean what they say and L believe they
90; (Cries OF they don't mean it.) |
DelleVe 1t, because an appeal to the
negro was made and failed. Therefore,
1 congratulate you that we have ar.
llVtG at point where those IN power
can be criticised and watched witifout
ttanger OF split. The gentlemen come
fU,Ma; 70 US as candidates for peace and unity
mrMIng .mnIonag up With sneer, followed by
dpplauSe.) What I cop,t "