The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-08-12
AN ORDERLY MEETING.
THE CANDIDATES REQUESTED NOT
ToINDULGE IN PERSONALITIES.

INDULGEIN PERSONALITIES.
An Unusually Large Number Of Questions
Propounded aud Answered-Notwith-
standing Issues Were Discussed There
Was Some Spirit In the Debate.
About five hundred people attended
the campaign meeting at Orangeburg
on last Thursday, and everything
passed off very quietly. During the
morning the following paper was pre-
sented to each candidate:
1. We, the Democrats of Orange
burg county, request the candidates
for State and national offices to refrain
from any personal illusions to the
character and record of their oppo-
nents.
9 That they be requested to speak
on the issues of the day and their own
records as public officers.
3. That we discountenance ali re-
elimination and vituperation.
4. That we be allowed to support
sucn men as We deem best for the gooc
of the State, without suggestions from
the candidates. :,
The resolutions had not been adopt
ed by the county executive committee,
and who the authors of the resolutions
were did not appear. The meeting
was held in a pretty grove on the out,
skirts OF the town. Very excellent
music was furnished between acts by
the Orangeburg brass band-an organ
ization of which the citizens of the
town are Justly proud.
At IL o'clock Congressman j. VIM.
Stokes, acting for County Chairman
Lowman, who was sick. called the
meeting to order and Mr.. E. H. Hous
er ayed. DR.. Stokes asked that the
audience be attentive, and give every
speaker respectful hearing. II any
one desired 10 PROFOUND a question he
hoped it would be asked in h respectful
manner and a respectful answer be
given.
Gen. Richbourg and Gen. Watts
we're the first speakers. Each of these
gentlemen want the Office of Adjutan1
and Inspector General, and neither OF
them is backward in asking for it. AT
ter they got through Judge Earle wal
introduced.
JUDGE EARLE SPEAKS.
Before be had proceeded far severa
young men in front of the stand were
talking ia loud tone. IF you wish
to speak, gentlemen, come on the
stand" said Gen. Earle.
"Go ahead, Mr.. Earle" said a voice;
Keep your men qniet," called
another.
General Earle did not ask them to
vote for him because he was Reform
er. He would aot deceive them il he
could. He simply asked that they
vote for him because he was a Demo
crat. He had declared in 1890 that
the Shell manifesto was false and he
had gone upon the stump and proved
his assertion. He had proved that
charges against his office were false.
Did any man blame him for doing
that2 No man should be afraid of the
light OF the truth. 81 say to you.
young men. be men; say to you old
men, teach your sons to be men-to
fear God and God alone. Teach them
to be true to themselves" He had
gone upon the stump in 1890 and told
the people that what was expressing
them could not be remedied by legisla'
lures or State oticers-they needed re-
lief elswhere.
When General Earle proceeded to a
discussion of the financial question,
demonstrating how values had shrunk
in the last 20 years, how impossible it
was for farmer who had mortgage
on his land to get out OF debt, he re-
ceived earnest attention. He closed
by hoping to soon see the day when
Conservatives and Reformers would
be names only; he wished a united
people to work together for South Car
olina's prosperity and glory.
As General Earle was taking his
seat, Mr.. Ed Zeigler, a young man
who had been standing Immediately
in front of the speakers, called to him,
but his question was drowned by the
band. Zeigler requested the chairman
to notify Gen. Earle that he was want
ed to answer a question. When the
band ceased playing Gen. Earle ad
vanced to the front and said he was
Informed some one wished to ask him
q question.
Zeigler-Do you expect the vote OF
the ignorant voters of this county,
Earle-That is not a proper question.
Zeigler-Do you say, as has been
said by one of your supporters IN this
town, that only the ignorant man were
going to vote Tor Evans and Duncan.
Earle-I would not insult the hon
est men of this county by replying to
such a question. Cheers for Earle }
General Earle took his seat, but i'm
mediately jumped up and going to the
front said: "IIat me ask that gentle.
man what Office he holds here7"
Zeigler-I hold a position that l
don't haveto resign in order to run
for Office.
Earle-I'll guarantee you are EN-.
ployed in the dispensary. (Cries OF
.sYes." and cheers for Earle.)
Earle-I have nothing to say against
the dispensary. I believe it has done
good and will do good under proper
management, but / do not think that
| it should be brought into politics in
this way.
Zeigler had gotten upon upon the
stand when Judge Earle asked his
question and stood near him, but did
not succeed in making an impression.
He asked General Earle who had
prompted him to ask whether he was
clerk in the dispensary. Earle re-
piled that he asked the question and II
was for Zeigler 70 answer. Zeigler did
| MT oioa hi . testimonV in this matter