Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-07-20
STIRRED UP BY BUTLER
He Calls q Man q Liar at a Political
Meeting.
Intense Excitement mt a south Caro-
lima Gntherfng-The General Dose
His Best 10 Calm Ii.

score of hands " ere on as MANY nistol.
In a second at Edgefeld, s. c.. YESTERDAY
Many climbed upon the speakers stand:
others were ready for action The powder
was all ready for the spark. but fortunately
the intense political feeling did not result
IN pioodshed. How narrowly the tragedy
was aVerted may not have been realized by
those who were responsible for the strain ed
conditions. 1t looked awfully ugly for a
minute or two.
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 heiped the
people secure their liberties and political
freedom. Then Mr.. Henry Townes cried
out: Yes. general. and the rascal burned
your house for IT."
There was a tall, lank man standing q
few feet from Gen. Butler on the stand.
He was Mr.. John Atkinson. He had sew
eral times put In word or two during
Buffers speech. This time he criedi He
denied all that in Washington. though"
Probably referring to the Hamburg rioU.
The Lie Passed.
Gen. Butler did not recognize the speaker,
but, quick as a fash. he turned In the direc-
ton OF the voice and said: 1T is a lie. /
don't care who said it. say it's lIe."
Mr.. Atkinson did not reply. He tattooed
on the reporters desk with his umbrella,
but made no sign of movement
The scene that followed was exciting.
Men rushed up toward the stand with their
hands on their pistols, others cursed and
the ranger slgnal' was out
Fully dozen of each faction, Tillman
and Butler. made for the stand to Join those
already there. Henry TONNES and Charles
Hammond were the first 20 mount the
stand. TONNES turned on the accuser, At
kinson, and cried out: 1T is lie, and that
man kno rs it,"
Gen. Butler tapped him on the shoulder
and said: Henry. I'll take care OF myself
get down from the stand"
but the lie has been given" replied
Townes.
That's all right; for Gods sake. let us
have no trouble" said Gen. Butler
Mr. Cogburn and some one got into a
loud dispute. Then Mr.. Harde, q friend OF
Gov. Tillman. had some words. Said one TO
the other: Now, look here. Put up that
pistol, for you are not the only one with a
pistol When draw mine I'm going TO use
II" Jack Bladon forged TO the front and
had a tilt with Cogburn. But these are
mere Incidents. Add dozen or more OF
them, and there may be something like a
picture of the situation.
Gen. Butler urged his friends TO get of
the stand. He pleaded for quiet
Gov. Tillman, perfectly cool. asked all
who were really his friends TO be quiet, and
after a deal of persuasion things ouieted
down and Gen. Butler continued with his
speech. Thereafter every one was on the
qui vive, but fortunately all passed OF quiz
city.
The General Resumes.
AS soon as Gen. Butler resumed his
speech he took occasion to say: Whoever
states at any time. on any occasion. TO any,
II a.
what was done in Hamburg tells-I won't
say a lie. because there are ladies' here. but
that which is not true"
Gen. Butler also took occasion after these
serious incidents TO say in a decidedly Wig
orous way: When 1 blistered him his
myrmidons, braying like meaningless
donkeys, tried to drown my voice with their
wild talk and yelling. Common jackasses
can bray. but il takes a man Of sense and
prudence TO convince the judgment and not
arouse the passions Of the people. That
sort Of treatment does not intirnidate me
i have seen too much Of real dangers to be
throttled In my free speech by a lot OF
blatant, Wild 1ackssses. i love free speech
too much and will fight for it."
The Hamburg affidavits were produced
and read. Gov. Tillman took occasion 10
say he would meet any one who told him
personally that he was not at Hamburg
and wanted 10 make an issue OF IL.
Secretary Tindars oaer.
Perhaps the next most important hap
pening was the position and the PROPOSE
ton OF Secretary OF State T1ndal He bold
Iy prophesied that the reform party would
be irreparably injured IL IL declined TO give
all candidates a fair showing before the
people. He made the proposition that the
delegations to the nominating convention
be pronortionately divided upon the actual
vote received by each of the candidates in
the clubs and aggregated at the county con-
vcntions. How the suggestion will take re-
mains to be seen.
Ellerbe and John Cary Evans did some
lively basting Of each other, and their per-
sonslities seemed 10 please the crowd OF
about 1000 Mr.. Evans was in his clement
and spoke to advantage. Mr.. Ellerbe's
Trends claim the county TO be about equal
IL divided