The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1900-09-05
A MESSAGE FROM THE People


A MESSAGE FROM THE PEOPLE.
Henry w. Grady Once Acted the Part
of Cromwell and Dissolved the Geor-
gia Legislature,
Detroit Free Press
One Of the most dramatic scenes ever
witnessed in Georgia was the one
which Immediately followed the an
nouncement OF Grover Cleveland's elec-
tion rs president in the fall OF 1854
when Henry w. Grady, overcome by
the enthusiasm OF the moment, entered
the hall OF the House of Representa-.
tiyes and adjourned the Legislature OF
Georgia for the purpose OF celebrating
the event.
Those who have kept apace with po-
litical developments In recent years
will remember that the result OF the
election OF 1884 was kept in suspense
Tor several days on account Of the
unC ,rtainty OF the vote in New York.
So close, indeed, was the contest in
New York that an official count was ne
necessary In order to determine in what
column the vote Of the State should be
put and pending the announcement OF
the Official count the country was on
tip.tOe with excitement, as the returns
from the rest OF the States were all In
and the result OF the election depended
upon New York's vote.
In the South especially the excite
mcnt was intenle. Everywhere through
out Dixie the conviction existed that
Cleveland had been elected and moth
ing was needed to call forth the pent-
up enthusiasm OF the Democratic mass
es but the announcement OF the official
IN l. 4.
good news came that New YOrk's vote
was safely Democratic, the long sup
pressed glee OF the jubilant members
OF the triumphant party asserted itself
in such riotous demonstrations of en-
thusiasm rs this country has never
Witnessed before nor since. Atlanta
was the storm-center OF the celebra-
tiop. Other cities received the an
nouncement with more or less quietude
OF demeanor, but Atlanta simply went
wild with excitement. AS editor of
The Constitution, Mr.. Grady was the
first man in Atlanta to receive the
tidings OF the result in New Yolk, and
no sooner had he read the telegram
conveying the intelligence Of the vic
tory than he Immediately began to
spread the alarm. He brought out
The Constitutions cannon and set it to
a
thuhderous proclamatiOns. Next he
called up Chief Joyner, OF the fire de-
partment, and caused tie fire bells to
oe rung with furious clamor; and the
noise OF the fire bells soon started the
steam whistles on numberless locomo-
tives and stationary engines. Going
out on the street, MIR. Grady found no
difficulty in rallying about him some
thing over two hundred men, and
marching at the head OF the column
and bearing in his hands the Stars and
Stripes, he started at once in the direc-
tion OF the State capitol, where the
Georgia Legislature was in session.
On reaching the door OF the House OF
Representatives he swept past the SER
geent- t-at-arms, who for propriety SAKE
made some slight show Of restraining
MIN, and stationing himself in the
caStSS .aS Speak al err's desk he exciaimed nm to
Mr.. Speaker, a message from tho
American people :"
Speaker Pro TEN. Luclus Nj. Lamar,
one OF the most rigid parliame II tarisns,
but also one OF the most enthusiastic
Democrats, was in the chair at the
time. He realized at once what the
invasion meant and losing sight OF his
official obligation in his excess OF De-
mocratic joy, he replied:
Let the mess go be received"
Thereuron Mr.. Grady marched poid
ly up TO the speakers desk and, taking
the gaycl from the hands OF the aston.
ished presiding officer, raped sternly
for silance in the hall. When order
was partially restored he said
In the name OF Grover Cleveland,
president.elect OF the United States, /
declare this body adjourned"
This announcement was the signal
for such an outburst OF enthusiasm as
had never before shaken the walls of
the State capitol. In the wild delirium
OF the moment members leaped on the
top OF their seats and threw their hats
Ia the air, sending after them exultant
shouts OF Joy. Legislative formalities
were completely forgotten and the
days session ended amid clamorous
confusion.
Georgia had witnessed many scenes
OF enthusiasm, but none to compare
with the one enacted on this cvcntful
occasion. Until then Oliver Cromwell
enjoyed the distinction OF boing tho
only uncrowned individual who had
ever arbitrarily undertaken to inter.
fere with tie machinery of legislation,
but at last his solitude of three centur.
les was broken to admit Henry w
Grady into his austree companionship.
l.. l.. KNIGHT.