The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1896-08-04
THE YORK ALLIANCE ENCAhPMENT,
A LARGE GATHERING OF FARM
ERS.

EItS.
The Alliance Doctrines and Achieve
mcnts are Upheld and Exalted.
Columbia Register.
TlRzAH, YORK COUNTY, July 3d.
1t has been said for year or two that
the Alliance was decreasing in men,
bership and that 1t was rapidly falling
into decay. That may or may not be
so as to numbers, but the fact appears
to be that as great interest is taken in
organization now as ever before, judg-
ing from the outpouring of the faithful
at the third annual encampment of the
York Alliance at this place today. The
most conservative estimate places the
number of people in attendance at 1000
and some even put the number larger.
There were about 900 ladies among
them and in an equal number so many
handsome ones cannot be found else
where in the State. The woods this
time were literally full of them. OF
course with such number OF the fair
sex present the assemblage was a most
quiet, attentive aud orderly one, for it
could not be otherwise under such cir
cumstances. These annual encamp-
ments were begun three years ago by
the York Alliance for the purpose OF
keeping up the interest of the members
in the order and for the further and
greater purpose Of educating the peo.
pie on the great economic questions
that have arisen for solution in the past
few years. With this idea in view, at
each encampment prominent speakers
of national reputation have been iuvi-
ted to address the people.
Senator Tillman began his political
a fnI ofP
nettsville, but the next one he made on
! his tour which finally landed him
where he is, was mace at this place be-
| fore an immense COrcOurse of farmers
Tirzah is a railway station on the Ohio
River & Charleston Railroad, and is
very near the geographical centre of
York county.
Men from York, Lancaster, Union
and bordering counties annually make
pilgrimage to this place and bring
with them their wifcs, their sons and
daughters, and sweethearts no doubt.
Many come just for the day, being
those who live in convenient distance
OF the town, while others further off
bring their covered wagons, their tents,
bedding and cooking utensels and camp
out during the encampment in the
splendid grove just near whore the
orators speak. The encampment usual
ly lasts two days. The morning and
afternoon sessions are devoted to speech
making and a picnic dinner, while the
evenings are spent in amusements OF
various kinds, such as dancing, card
parties, etc. The people of Tirzah and
vicinity are the most kindhearted and
hospitable in the State, and no stranger
who comes among them need lack for |
anything. He,is hardly allowed TO ask
for anything for the people anticipate
even his smallest wants.
The encampments then are not only |
occasions of great social enjoyment,
but they bring people of various Sec
tions together to become better ac-
Quainted and are in addition political, |
economic and agricultural instructors: |
The third encampment which was |
held to-day was fully up to former ones |
In point of attendance, and interest |
displayed by the people.
A most elaborate programme of |
speeches had been arranged for, but |
for various reason it could not be car
ried out.
All candidates for State offices were
invited, but the tacit understanding |
their own horns and cussing" ont |
their opponents for one day at least |
and give the people solid Alliance doc |
trine from first to last
Only Governor Evans, expectant |
Governor Whitman, Attorney General |
Barber and Messrs. Mayfield ana Rob |
inson accepted the invitations. Mr.. |
Whitman got sick and hadto take to his |
bed, and consequently did not speak |
Governor Evans was the orator OF the |
day, and while Messrs. Maytield and |
Robinson did not expect to speak when |
they went to Tirzah, still they were |
nalla6 on and resnpp6o5 haooI,oo ha |
encampment was running short on ora
tory owing to 80 many speak rs being |
absent. Each was introd ced as q |
candidate for a particular office, but |
the speakers only in the most Incl
dental way referred to that fact and |
made straight 16 to or bust speeches, |
and glorified over the prospect of the |
principles for which the Alliance had |
SO long and faithfully fought being |
adopted as the law of this nation |
through the success OF the Democratic |
party.
The stand for the speakers was |
erected in shady grove just outside |
the town limits. On either side were |
seats for two cornet bands, both of |
which are as good as any in the State. |
They are handsomely uniformed and |
have good instruments. They alter
mated in furnishing music between the |
speakers.
Between the two band stands was |
the speakers rostrum. The posts were
decorated with evergreens, sunfiowers |
and other flowers. Across the centre |
was banner on either side of which |
was incribed "Nebraska and Bryan "
and Maine and Sewall." In the cen
tire was "South Carolina aud Tillman," |
and underneath it all was "Sixteen to |
One"
At the entrance to the park gate
was inscribed "The Town of Tirzah |
Welcome ALL"
The meeting was called to order by !,
President w. N. Elder, and prayer was |
offered by Rev. j. Nj. McClain, after |
which Capt. w. FL. Edwards welcomed |
the audience and speakers to Tirzah.
Secretary j. W. Reid made an appro-
pirate reply.
Governor Evans made the first
speech, speaking on the Alliance de- |
mands and showing how they repres-
ented the true principles of Demo |
cracy. In the course Of his speech he |
said that the only opposition there was |
now to Bryan and free silver came |
from the News and Courier, which was
Hopping around without knowing |
where to go. Maybe they had better |
put up Callie Hemphill for President
but 1t is doubtful if he could carry his |
own vote in South Carolina uaughter.)
Governor Evans made an exceedingly
StrOnp and ahle speenh IN fno,oi al