The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1897-08-12
A GRAND ALLIANCE RALLY.
YorkviIIe's Gallant Yeomanry As
sembIed at Tirzah.
THE ANNUAL ENCAMPMENT.
Congressman Strait Delivers an Ad-
dress Tillman Jumps on Preachers
and Defends the Dispensary.

-f
Tirzah, York county's geographical
centre, was on the 5th the center of in
terest and the Mecca for the Alliance
men and citizens Of York and adjoining
counties, Two thousand of York's yeo-
many, gallant swains and winsome
women, gathered there. The fourth an
nual encampment of the York County
Alliance was q great occasion.
W. N. Elder, president of the York
County Alliance, presided gracefully
as master of ceremonies. Thomas 7.
Mellow, an eloquent young barrister
of Yorkville, delivered the address Of
welcome. Mr.. j. G. Wilborn, presi-
dent of the State Alliance, spoke of the
objects of the Alliance, and in an earn
est and eloquent appeal called for all
true Southerners to be loyal to the Al
lance and her principles.
Congressman Strait spoke for an hour
and a half on the democracy Of the
Alliance and its demands. He closed
with an arraignment of the Mckinley
Hanna-Ree special session and severe
ly scored the iniquitous tariff bill. His
views are diametrically opposed to
those of McLaurin, and he speaks with
fire and zeal.
At o'clock heavy storm came up
and the meeting broke up.
Among some of the distinguished
visitors present were: W. A. Neal, j.
D. Shaw and d. P. Duncan.
The dispensary was closed and peace
and good will prevailed.
An immense crowd braved the rain to
greet Tillman at Tirzah on the 9Th.
The first speaker was Col. Darcy P.
Duncan, whose exposition of the Al
lance principles was. listened to in
tently.
When Senator Tillman and Governor
Ellsrbe arrived, they were loudly cheer
ed. Mr.. Tillman began to speak soon
afterward with his accustomed fire and
vigor. He stated in the beginning that
his first political speech was made near
this spot eleven years ago. He then
began an elaborate defense of the dis
pensary law. He fathered all response
bllity for the law; he nursed it and held
it up, and stood by it, defended it
against all the attacks in the courts, in
the Darlington war and is now standing
by it in the Senate. II hard work and
faithful effort can have influence, his
bill (recently defeated in the House)
will yet pass Congress.
He jumped on the preachers vigor.
ously for opposing tia law because, as
they say, it is shame for the State to
be selling whiskey. They stand along
side the barkeepers in their opposition.
The devil is at one end of the rope and
the preachers are at the other, trying to
choke the law to death. They have al
lied themselves with Gonzales, Hemp
hill, Simonton and the devil.
There was stealing in the dispensary
because of the divided responsibility,
but there was also dishonesty in other
business enterprises.
He then defended Governor Ellerbe,
who was an honest man and truthful,
and has not gone to lying at this late
day.
In regard to the metropolitan police,
Senator Tillman said two days after the
Legislature met in Jannary he had q
friendly interview with Governor FL
lerbe and advised him not to remove
the police unless every member of the
Charleston city council would sign an
agreement to see the law enforced. /.
The Governor said he would not, and
he did not think he had turned out to
be liar and hypocrite.
In reply to question from W. H.
Lawrence, of Lsurens, he said that he
and Mr.. McLaurin had voted alike on
tariff issues. He explained his bluff in
regard to voting with the Republicans.
Governor Ellerbe was then introduc-
ed, and after vindicating himself in re-
gard to metropolitan police, he denied
the charges against him in regard to a
combine. to elect McLaurin. He would
be q can lidate for reelection and would
then reflte the charges against him.
Here there was little pleasantly be-
tween himself and Tillman. Tillman
had stated in Abbeville that he pre-
ferred to remain in the Senate, but If
Gonzales was to run the State, he
would come home and be elected Gov
ernor. Mr.. Ellerbe stated that there
might be "a statesman out of job"
for he would himself stand for re-elec-
ton.
Congressman Strait then sprung
sensation by denouncing sreport in the
Columbia Record, saying that he had
attacked McLaurin and Tillman on the
tariff question in the interests of Evans
and rby. He had not attacked them,
and his speech could not be sc construed.
He simply declared his views.
After dinner Congressman Stokes
and Mr.. Sigh spoke.