Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1894-07-25
The Campaign Meeting at Edge
tield--Thursday July 10Th.
Communicated.

us hot and damp. Clouds and heat
proclaimed torrents of rain, still
from early morning people gath.
cred from all directions, and hun.
dreds massed in the Academy
Grove, under whose shadowy oaks
many a frey and eloquent debate
has been thundered forth.
We wended our way through
this multitude, and found a seat
or rather Standing room near the
platform, on which was ranged IL
or more candidates, all belonging
to the reform party.
Reporters in their midst were
busy at work.
Lieut.. Gov. Zimmerman intro
duced the speakers in rote. First
comes Mr.. Mayfeld of Greenville
candidate for superintendent Of
education. This man has a pleas.
ing face, makes a good speech,
shows why and wherefore he should
bave this office. He gives his o..
ponent some sharp thrusts, and
sits down amid cheers.
Mr.. Whitman rises and retail
ates insisting on his superiority as
a superintendent of education.
Then comes Mr.. Yeldell as can
didate for Railroad commissioner.
Mr.. Yeldell has a most genial
face, and your heart warns toward
him ,nvoluntarily. He has two op-
ponents, Mr.. Wilburn of York and
Mr.. Thomas of Sumter, who dig
each other in the ribs urmerciful-
ly, and who make many bon mots,
which ere greeted with cheers and
laughter.
Hon. Mr.. Zimmerman intro
duces Mr.. Watts of Laurens for
adjutant and inspector general, q
slender STRIPPING of 81 or % years.
He seems slightly affected with
stage fright; quieting down, how
ever, he makes a pi'hy speech.
Said he went to Darlington, did
his duty, had been censurcd Sc
verely, but would continue to do
what he thought was right at all
hazards. Some fair young girl
sends up to him royal sanhower
with long yellow ribbon attached.
Mr. Richbourg, his contestant,
has the stand, another Darlington
hero, whose photo appeared in
Harper's Weekly in connection
with the Darlington riot. He looks
a French marquis, stately, elegant,
as was his speech.
Next comes Secretary Tindal for
the office of the chief executive.
The rain comes pelting down, um-
brellas are opened the sun peeps
out once more! Mr. Tindal remarks
that an open umbrella is always a
dampener to the speaker. We like
his talk and appearance, dignifed
and cultured.
Now comes up Gen Ellerbe,
gaunt, tall, and quite ugly, but
when he warns up to the fight he
is bright and snappy. The crowd
laugh and cheer. He and Mr. John
Gary Evans are two game cocks
pitted against each other. But you
can't down Ellerbe. He digs his
gaffs into his colleague mercilessly.
In the mean time some jealous
Tillmanite in slouched hat and
heated with "blind tiger" starts d
quarrel with negro, also warmed
up with the same ingredients.
Knives are drawn, they stagger for
ward with oaths! Gen Butler
clears the platform with command
ing voice, aid breaks up this
melee.
Some man at our elbow remark
ed: "These Edgefeld women are
the bravest in the State"
Mr. John Gary Evans replies to
Gen Ellerba in a very spicy speech.
These hot oung bloods do not come
to blows however. With 10 many
contestants for this Office, we trust
that one worthy and efficient may
be selected to hold this exalted
position.
Now the two gladiators enter the
arena! Tillman and Butler!
Tillman is greeted mid deafen-
ing yells, and doffing of hats. He
looks a figure moulded in bronze,
like Napoleon at Austerlitz, calm,
intellectual, self assured, all con-
quering. He does not recognize
Gen Butler as an opponent, and ex-
poets to 60 to the Senate. Clemson
College and Rock Hill are monu-
ments to Tillman's name.
Gen Butler, elegant, polished,
chivalrous, makes a aringing speech,
winning him many votes. A re-
mark he makes acts as dynamite
thrown in the crowd. With one
bound and veil several partizans of
each faction reach the platform
prepared to fight it out. Newspa-
per reporters scatter to the four
winds, but Tillman's iron will
quells this tumult.
The day closes quietly and blood
| lessly and with 9 dinner in the