The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-07-20
A POLITICAL POWDER MINE
Only a Spark Needed to Cause a Big
Explosion al EdgefiGld.

the Rival FACTIONS Rush for the
stand With Their Hands on Their
PistoIs-Gov. Tillman and the Sem
ator Succeed in Preventing Blood
shed.
Charleston, S. c., July IA score of
hands were on as many pistols in a second
to-day. Men climbed upon the speakers
stand others were ready for action The
powder was already for the spark, but
fortunately the intense political feeling
did not result in bloodshed. How mar
rowly the tragedy was averted may not
have been realized by those who were re-
sponsible for the strained conditions. It
looked awfully ugly for minute or two.
When Edgefield men get mad and look as
if they are about to act, something is very
likely to happen.
Imagine powder magazine with fire
creeping toward it, efsery oLF momenta-
rily expecting the explosion. The crash
is expected, but 10, the flames go within a
few feet of the magazine; they stop, the
danger is over and everyone breathes
easier. So it was to-day at Edgefield
The friction, the excitement went up to
the verge of blaze and then for some
reason things went back to their normal
condition. No one can ever want to wit
ness another such meeting. 1t was the
most aggressive and aggravated of the
twenty-one already held. Political
passion was at dangerous
heat and all over few petty offices.
Yet there were men in that audience who,
at the drop of hat, would have shot to
kill their political opponents 1t is sad
commentary on this alleged campaign of
education. 1t shows, or at least it ought
TO, that it is q useless and senseIess cam
paign. It is tearing off the scab from the
fast healing political wounds. The brave
people of Edgefield may have thought
there was nothing unusual about their
meeting, that is their privilege but when
men say and do what was done here to-
day there is preponderence Of circum-
stantial evidence TO give Edgefeld the
palm for getting closer to the verge of a
political battle and avoiding it than any
other place in America 1t really looks as
if old Edgefeld can avoid such crises
with the fatality that she can provide
candidates. For a dozen offices she now
has fifty candidates in the field.
TWO SENSATIONAL INCIDENTS.
There were two incidents at to-day's
meeting-One plain. everyday fight, the
other nearly tragedy. For neither of
them could any of the speakers be held
directly responsible. 1t was Just the
passion in the crowd. True, the lie was
passed, but that had been done before
without occasioning such a scene.
Just here both Gov. Tillman and Senator
Butler ought to be commended for
their efforts to quiet things In
word, here Is what the trouble was
about. Gen. Butler had remarked that
about the only horse he had ever ridden
besides that of democracy was the old
horse he was on in that very grove when
he met Chamberlain and his republican
myrmidons, and how he had helped the
people secure their liberties and political
freedom.
Then Henry Townes cried out, eyes,
general, and the rascals burned your
house for il"
There was tall, lank man standing
lew feet from Gen. Butler on the stand.
he was John Atkinson. He had several
times put in a word or two during But
ler's speech. This time he cried 'He
denied all that in Washington though"
probably referring to the Hamburg
riOt)
Gen. Butler did not recognize the
speaker, but quick as fash he turned in
tne direction of the voice and said: 1T is
he. l don't care who said it, say it's
a lie"
Mr.. Atkinson did not reply. He Ia
,,oe tooed on on the reporters desk with his
umbrella, but made no sign of answering.
THE DANGER SIGNAL OUT.
The scene that followed was terrible.
IL was serious, it was desperate.
Men rushed up toward the stand with
thelr hands on their pistols, others
cursed, and the danger signal was out.
Yet there were hundred women
within few feet of the stand, but that
made no apparent difference. Fully a
OFn oh So,
Ter made for the stand TO Join those al
ready there. Henry Townes and Charlie
Hammond were the first to mount the
stand. Townes turned on the accuser,
Atklnson, and cried out: 1T is lie, and
that man knows it,
Gen. Butler tapped him on the shoul-
oers and said Henry, I'll take care of
myself, get down from the stand"
-, But the lie has been given" replied
Iownes. That's all right, for Gods
Butler.
Mr.. Cogburn and someone got into
io0u dispute. Then Mr. Hardee and
friend OF Gov. Tillman, had some words.
oald one to the other: "Now look here,
put up that pistol, for you amt the only
one with pistol, When | draw mine III
use it,"
Gov. Tillman asked to have his friends
his ptSJOl was put up.
JACK Bladon, lion in determination,
forged to the front and had tilt with
Cogburn
But these are mere incidents-add
uo1eh or more of them and there may be
something like picture of the situation.
QUIET RESTORED
ten. Butler urged his friends to get off
gue stand. He pleaded for quiet. Gov.
4llIman, perfectly quiet, asked all who
were really his friends to be quiet, and
9ller deal of persuasion things quieted
VS9"h' and Gen. Butler continued with
MS speech. From then on every one was
ou the qui vive. But fortunately all
passed of quietly
AS soon as Gen. Butler resumed his
speech be took occasion to say: "Who-
tNer states at any time, on any occasion,
" anybody, that / denied my participa-
f'oIl IN what was done in Hamburg tells
won ! say lie, because there are ladies
Uere-o -out that which is not true.n
zen. Butler also took occasion a after the
oulpous incident to say In a decidedly wig
Oious way: when ! blistered him his
HHJ Jrlhldons. braying like meaningless
ttuuNeJsi tried To drown my voice with
.ngr Wild talk and yelling. Common
"'Kasses can bray, but il takes a man Of
use anu prudence 10 convince the iudg-
no. I,,'nI ana not arouse the passions Of the
i3pie' That sort of treatment don't iu-
,.N''uaJe mo. have seen too
t..gu OF the real dangers 10 be