Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1897-07-07
Cheers for McLaurin drowned Irby's

voice.
$50 far as the outburst of feeling here
is concerned" said Mr.. Purdy, "the COM
mittee is in no way responsible for that,
and I hope before you get through you
will feel sorry for what you have said and
"If that be so, I will withdraw the Of
fensive word when the men who insulted
me do So" replied Colonel Irby.
There was great excitement during the
colloquy; but Mr.. Puriy managed to
keep the crowd quiet. Once again Colo
mel Irby started out on his speech. He
said:
"If you expect such conduct to elect
McLaurin, will say this to you, want
you to understand it, we have got rs many
| friends among the Conservatives rs he
has. l am simply a farmer, and expect
to talk to farmers. I didn't expect per-
sonalities in this campaign. Bat before
| filed my pledge, even while sitting here,
there comes man with the scared mad
on him and this distinguished gentleman
referred to dishonest politicians sulking
at home. Pm not of this sulking kind.
There are no feathers on my legs. Pm
no shanghai. Let no man stand here and
talk to me who is ring-streaked and
striped politician"
"Who do you have reference to ?" called
out a voice from the gallery to Irby.
"To Mr.. McLaurin, that's who," said
Irby.
McLaurin sat perfectly still though he
was very pale. Continuing, Colonel Irby
said 4:
"I will nave the opportunity to speak to
the people of the state, and not only the
town people who try to bully me. I
am here as true and original Reformer.
am proud Of my record. lam an honest
representative Of the people of South Car
olina, while "as willing to retire from
politics forever. I'll give him to under
stand that he was little l0-cents lawyer
at Bennettsville and would never have
been heard of except for me and Till
man." (Cries Of "hurrah for McLaurin.) }
Colonel Irby then proceeded thus, being
given very good attention now:
~ say that there is today in South Car
olna the foulest conspiracy against the
farmers of the state that has ever been
known, and McLaurin is the beneficiary.
He has destroyed more friends than any
man ever in politics in the state. He has
never been true to either friend or foe.
He jumped OH Tillman's wagon when it
came by and he got such dose that he
had to jump into the Populists: then he
crawled on his belly to ask Senator But
Ter to get him off the black list, and yet
he talks to you of Democracy. It's told
to you that he opposed the dispensary.
Is that all? Is he coming out like bold
Carolinian and whispering in your ears
that he is undertaking to get congress to
pass law that will fix the dispensary on
you for four hundred years? Is that ?"
Mr.. McLaurin had been gradually
turning pale. AT this he became very
white, and rising quickly, he walked
over. facing lrby. His manner was
threatening. He said:
"NOw, senator, let's have an under
standing right here. We have known
each other for long time; let's have an
understanding right now."
Cheers and great excitement prevailed.
"You can't accuse me of being dishon-
est" went on McLaurin. "You can't in
suit me that way"
At this moment several rose to their
feet. Irby replied that he had said it, and
remarked very cody:
"And say further, if you hit ME, you
will be hit back"
| Every one thought a row was immi-
nent. Mr.. Purdy came forward. The
audience was in All uproar. Editor Louis
Appel called Mr.. Mcl,aurin's attention
to the fact that he would have a reply:
of Mr. McLalirin and began to pull him
away. Mr.. Charles w. Emanuel, OF
Manning, rushed Zip to Colonel 1rby and
exclaimed
mo one but a coward would talk that
way ~
Irby retorted: "Nothing but coward
would attack me So"
Mr.. Emanuels attitude was threaten
ing. Mr.. Purdey and others got in, how
ever, and all were requested to take their
seats. This they did and the dangerous
atmosphere was dissipated. AS soon rs
quiet had been in measure restored,
| Irby continued for few moments. At
this juncture Mr.. Marion Noise jumped
to his feet in the audience and suggested
that the chairman insist on the crowd
giving Colonel Irby Il respectful hearing
and moved that, if necessary, the chair
man call upon the law-abiding citizens
present to aid him and clear the house,
lie for one was ready to do his part.
81 thank you, Mr.. Moise," said 1rby.
There was once more considerable eX-
citement and a voice from the rear of tho
hall exclaimed
mir. Chairman, I think Colonel Irby
has brought it on himself"
"McLaurin did it first" replied Colonel
Irby. "IIe called us dishonest"
Mr.. Purdy instructed the police to see
that order was Kept in the gallery, and
once more Colonel lrby spoke. Said he :
"If you vote against me for maintain
ing my self respect, then you can do So"
! Colonel Irby continued his speech
"You can judge man by the company
he keeps. DO you find McLaurin with
| Retormers? Did you ever hear of him
having any friends among the Conserva-
tives until he wrote his squelunk letter
and afterwards apologzed for it? But
when he went into the unholy alliance
with Gonzales, / said / would run if
didn't get but three votes. | am fighting
for the battle that has been won against
this man who has been untrue. This