The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1894-04-04
sueech Of Chairman j. r. Blake.

that there is no man In this assembly, out
of dSeS AbSsViie County, This occasion only
adds another laurel TO her glorloIs past: ol ana
manifests her readiness to defend the honor
OF the State, and to the preserve ner
Fellow Citizens, the issues involved are @ not
thoselof facuonalism or partylsm-not tnuse
of Tiilmanism or Anti-Tillmanism-not dis-
above Them IN importance, as the peaks OF
the Blue Ridge, tower above the tops OF the
surrounding hills. They are issues which
affect the stability and perpetn,ty 3boS 1t CIV W.
issues Of law and order on one hand. ana OF
mob violence and anarchy ON the other-and
1 rejoice to see the patriotic men Of Aboeviile
can OF duty , and ready to uphold the maJes.
ityiof the law. Abbeville County by her ac-
ton to-day preserves untarnished her glorl'
ous record Of the past. "
The convention is now ready for business.
Speech Of Hon. Frank b. Gary.
Hon. Frank B. Gary being called for. said !:
Mr. Chairman and Fellow-Citizens:--lh had
not expected to be called to make speech 10
day. bat had come down intending to act
rather than to talk. I am glad TO learn, how
ever, that our services will no; be needed al
the q
The unfortunate conflict which has disturb
ed the peace and serenity OF our State for the
last few days has established at least two
ist. That the organized militia of this
state cannot be relied on In times Of danger.
End. That the people can be.
Since the organized militia Is success Only
on dress parades, at emcampments and fancy
balls, it would be we'll for the authorities,
either to reorganize the militia Of the State,
placing the guns In hands OF men who can be
depended upon to do their duty, or TO discon.
tlnue the appropriations which have been
made annually for its support,
It is q source OF much qualification to know
nNan fNnfrN hnNtn
umbia and elsewhere we're showing the white
feather, and incurring the contempt Of all
good men, the Abbeville companies, regard
less Of party afiiliation, true to the tradition
Of the people, have responded to the call of
it is gratifying too to see the prompt and
hearty response OF the people from the coun-
zeal here today that the majesty of the law
must be upheld, and that anarchy has no
place In South Carolina.
rectly traceable to the seditious teachings of a
few newspapers in South Carolina, can not be
successfully refuted. 1t Is the legitimate out.
come OF their teachings and the pity is that
those misguided creaturee who have their rea-
con dethroned by their insurrectlonary edi-
toriais. Afrsr bringing on the difficulty. they
other shoulders. They try TO make 1t appear
that the people Of Dai lington were simply re-
stating q search Of private residences, but the
fact could not be wiped out that the State
Constablea were at the depot waiting TO take
the train to leave the town, when an mex
cusable attack was made upon them by armed
citizens.
adopt resolutions endorsing the conduct OF
the Governor, commencing those soldiers
who have gone TO the front, and condemning
in strongest terms the conduct OF those who
have refused in hours Of danger.
Speech of Hon. J. T. Robertson.
Hon. J. T. Robertson was called. He said
have no prepared speech, but, fellow-clti.
zenA in looking over this large concourse. /
different political views-men who have come
here in :the interest OF law and order. The
object OF this meeting Is not political. It is
fafabove that. 1t Is to sustain the laws OF
the state and to uphold the hands OF the le.
gally constituted authorities in their effort 10
maintain the peace.
IIknow, my fellow citizens, that your pa.
You to uphold the laws.
Yesterday the Abbeville Rifles, composed
largely OF men who are politically opposed TO
the administration Of Governor Tillman,
chief executive. They asked no questions
but simply obeysd orders. As soldiers they
Of them. They have gone TO Darlington, the
soene OF the disturbance, and they can be
trusted 70 do theil duty.
I fuily agree with the sentiment % that the
should be disbanded, ann that other compa-
nies, who may be relied upon, should take
their places. In the enforcement OF the dis
10 the officers Of the State. For this reason
we need the strong arm Of the militia-men
who may be depended upon In any emer.
Governor Tillman should have in Columbia
one hundred picked men, who are not afraid
to lend their aid In enforcing the law. Each
county should have one hundred men who
would sustain that company, in cases OF
emergency.
Better spend all the revenue from the dis
pensary to sustain the law, than to allow in.
surrectionary mobs TO overpower the consti-
ihope some one may offer suitable resolu.
this meeting.
Speech Of Hon. d. H. MagilI.
Hon. D. q. MagIll-I have an apology to
make for not being at the opening
terday afternoon In securing the names OF cit.
izens Of Abbeville County who are willing 10
20 To Columbia to assist the Governor In pre-
After receiving a telegram from the Gov
ernor stating that we were not needed, that all
was quiet, and learning that there would be q
Sd the
being late.
When duty calls, all should obey, and am
glad to see SO goodly number Of my fellow
citizens here today, TO answer that call.
regard this matter as more serious than
anything which has happened since have
been old enough to take notice Of current
events.
This matter does not involve the question OF
Tillmanism against Conservatism. 1t is law
and order against sedition. 1t is lewlessness
against peace, and the dignity Of the State.
am about to say as TO what has happened In
the last few days? An authorised officer as
much authorized as any Sheriff in any
county Of the State, has been shot: For
what? Simply because he was an officer OF
the administration that prevails In South
Carolina Does anybody deny that? Is there
any other reason for the killing OF yonng Gill
lizard? He was found wounded-una6le to
make his escape-and while lying on the
ground, pleading for his life, bis Body was
pierced with bullets from many guns When
man 10 down, even If he is your bitterest foe,
there brave man in all this vast assembly,
him Dc ever so indignants This was done in
boast Of the cow IardlY deed, ~
ThiSstasemant was made not only by the
ReEistsr, bat by otherspapers who commented
pRGs asa ssd stitGl tSS the fleeing
stables did not escape by morning. they
would be corpses before the rising OF the next
lard was found, his body pierced with bullets,
as before stated. and In this particular case,
mobocracy, prevailed. Who did this? They
these are the "best," God pity the worst
There; was some commotion and approval of
the speaker.l I am not melting you to SEN
timents OF violence. I am deprecating vio-
lence. am glad that 80 many OF you are
ready TO answer the call Of the Governor In
his efforts to preserve the peace. Many Of
you have been here since yesterday, ready to