The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-05-31
By Col Charlton H. Way.

would you like 10 take in a grand
political barbecue, with its concomitants
Of eating fat meat, drinking pure corn
whisky, and fighting. such a barbecue as
they used TO have in the good old days
in Georgian"
The speaker was the editor of the Morn
ing News. our friend. Col W. T. Thomp-
son.
1--WE could not have a better guide"
said Col. Frank S. Barlow" than the
author Of Maj Jones COurtship," and
the Chronicles of Pineville."
"Of one thing you may be sure. We
will hear some good speaking"
Yes, and witness some honest fighting.
No pugilistic encounters, but just "ketch
as you kin, hol as you might, and no
man teches till one or tOther hollers nuff' -
In that manner we made up a quiet
crowd and decided upon a trip. promising
a maximum of enjoyment to each varying
element of which it was composed, from
the quiet and dignified judge to the pleas
ure loving young people
1t was during the presidential cleo
tion preceding the war that the citizens
of Blackshear, Ga, determined to give
an Old-fashioned barbecue. barbecue
comprising all the elements of good
cheer, good speaking and good old times"
Invitations were sent to the surround
ing counties and to distinguished speak
ers. The prospects for a gathering of
the people were very promising, and a
small party from Savannah determined TO
be present. So, on a bright September
morning, just cool enough to add a zest
to the trip, we boarded the passenger
train at O'clock for our three or four
hours run. Our party consisted of Judge
William Law, the nestor of the Savannah
bar; Gen. Henry r. Jackson, recently
returned from Austria; Judge Edward j.
Harden Of the city court, Col Francis S.
Barlow, the genial Maj. W. T. Thompson
of the Morning News, and the writer.
Arriving at the station, we were taken
in hand by the committee with the indis-
pensable brass band, and after the usual
introductions and hearty hand shaking.
we were marched to the grove where the
speaking was to take place. This had been
provided for by the erection of a plat
form for the speakers and board benches
for the audience. It was a gala day for
the county and its neighborhood. Over
1000 men, with their entire families were
gathered in and around the grove of pines
to hear the distinguished orators discuss
the burning questions of the day. On the
outer edge one could see the duSky cooks
impaling the succulent shOate, the fatted
calf, and the tender lamb, or basting the
huge OK as they turned it upon its
pans placed below, and filing the air with
an aroma suggestive of comforts for the
hungry. A table some 200 feet long, loaded
with bread, cakes, biscuit and cornpOnes
stretched away in the distance down the
shady avenue. Women and children men
and boys, mingled in the moving crowd
passing jokes telling the news of the set
Elements, while horses, mules, steers and
dogs, and all the domestic animal crea-
ton seemed TO have been impressed into
service for the occasion.
OF course, the speaking was first in or
der. The crowd gathered around the plat
form, some on benches, others sprawling
on the grass while not a few took the
attitude known in the army as the Goo
hereafter parade rest" that is, squatting
on the launches, elbows resting on the
knees and palms OF hands under the chin.
This position added to a stare into va
oancy, is the ideal ''dolce-far-niente," of
the Wire-grass. on the outskirts, stretch
ed at the foot of some mammoth pine
party of young men listened with Wrapr
attention to the oratOry, punctuatng the
remarks with their original criticisms, as
who's that a-talkin now, Jim?"
That Why, that's Judge Law, an I
kin tell you thar hain't marry enuther
man in Gorgy wot understands pollyticks
es he dor
Pears to hev nifty level head"
Yes, an juding' from the look of HIT
pears to hev about hat a acre of hit
cleared"
ram Lincun was a-runnin' on a ticket
with a man name Hannibal Hamilton
80 I've herd tell
mo wonder they is named black rec
publikins. Wen white man runs alons
with nigga"
"Who sed he was nigga?"
why, hain't he oneY'
mo; wot air you a-prOj-jecten noW?"
Hits the fust time l ever heerd a white
man called Hannibal. Always was a mig
ga name. Leastwise, that's my 'speeruce,
and III believe he's got nigga blood in him,
les / see him myself
"shet 20 mouth. Hit hain't worth
nuthin' but to hive flies in summer time,
no-how."
Gee Wilkins! KANT that ere fell
low tear up the green yearth? Whar's
the eggvantije of a man a noratin POI
litick an a-wearin of himself out lis
like ole Father Eason at a camp-meetin'?-
Hits pledged to be done to give in
trust to the people, but eff people could
study an norrate an speechify an arg
rify like Pa Eason ole Pollyticks would
hev to close UP his shop"
.. Hole on. That's Barlow. the eloquen,
e.Wots that he's a-sayin' bout war an
htin. You reckon yankees will hte?''
Not to say ginerally. They won't have
no shown with our boys"
My nanny SEE she knowed one It
would hte. He would set up all mite to
SgPn SAN tSe mus f1st Oh ic f!e it mex mornin
quine?" you
Not less they 'tacks the Big or the little
Sintilly or Brunswick. Hain't got no co.
dicashun for ftin'. Look a-here; I'm hon
cry: Wonder wen the vittles ill be
But after two hours the speakers had
ended their appeal and reaped their need
or applause and congratulations Tie
band struck up Peas Upon a Trenchei"
and guests and hosts formed in line and
marched to the tables. Grace having been
SAID by old man Bennett, the chairman
called out: Fall to genalem-e-n, Ear
heartily. IF you See anything you want
Jes' reach'
Knives, FORKS and plates were conspicu-
ously absent. Guests contented them |
selves by taking a slice of bread and Law
Hig piece of barbecued meat upon it. Bit |
on small mouthfulls or cut it into wedges !
win their pocketknives. saying: Have |
some Of this shoat Squire; I fat
Of the lamb Judge" Hits as tender as
SSesl o hat ere beef is hard to beat" |
uoop your bread in this we're gravy" !
5 5ve ,n n nov and then a. movement would |
pe made by party of young men to |
Duggy- Reaching under the seat and draw |
lIs me corn-cob stopper from an old lug |
cue Ter the other would pour the tangle. |
LOO LOG whisky. into the battered tin cup and
with a gurgle-gurgle and a there's bonine |
"a low