The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1902-07-30
TOMBSTONE Day IN NEHBERRY.
The Home Folks of Newbsrry's
Candidate Give Him a Royal
Welcome.

Welcome.
Newberry, July 29.-The senatorial
and congressional candidates meeting
was held here today in Jones grove in
the presence of between six and seven
hundred people.
In many respects it was an interest
ing meeting, free from the slings,
stings and ISLANDERS that sometimes
creep into primary campaign meet
ings. Mr.. Latimer was back in his
old congressional district and made
what may be termed popular
speech, but no special reception was
extended him, certainly not more than
he has received at other places. He
made no reference to the charges that
have been made against him nor was
any reference -1ade to them by his
competitors.
It was enphatically George Johns
ton day. He was the lion of the occa-
sion and the reception accorded him
by these people who have known him
all his life was heartfelt and genuine
and not tainted with hypocrisy. Col.
Johnnstone is universally admitted as
the orator of the crowd and his ring
ing eloquence which has captiyated
and held spell bound so many audi
ences in the campaign possessed a ten
der pathos today as he looked in the
face of his home people. His speech
was not what might be termed a cam
paign effort but an expression Of graft
fude for the confidence reposed in him.
Col. George Johnstone was the last
speaker. ALI through the meeting the
crowd had waited to hear him. When
his name was announced cheer long
and loud went up, intermingle,d with
cries Of 'sJohnstone, Johnstone,
Johnstone. /" Col. Johnstone stood up
and as soon as silence was restored
thanked them all for their cordial re-
ception. He said that in the life of a
public man nothing gives more encour-
agement and is more of an incentive
to strive for higher things than the
consciousness of knowing and feeling
that the people among whom he had
been born and among whom ne had
lived all his life, in whose behalf he
had devoted all the talents given him,
among whom he expected to be buried,
still trusted and loved him.
Col. Johnstone briefly outlined his
speeches made at other meetings and
added .Why tell you of these things
which you already know. Let US COM
mune together and recount some of
the scenes through which we have
passed together during the last %
years. Commencing at 1874 he told of
the fight for white mans rule in New
berry county and the more trying
scenes to which he was subjected in
1876 when for go days, surrounded by
true, tried associates they rode from
one end of Newberry county to che
other overthrowing carpet bag and
negro domination.
He was frequently interrupted with
exclaD> stions, That's true, George,
we were with you. He spoke of the
Smyrna riot" when his life was
hanging by a thread and when he was
followed by bowling mob to negro
trial Justices.
"You got paid for all that" yelled
out young chap sprawling on tie
grass in front of the stand. perhaps
so,'' calmly replied Col. Jobnstone.
81 win never put up my Judgment
against yours In few minutes af-
terward the young fellow gathered
himself up and crawled off with the
remark, 81 am Latimer man-this
is no. place for me-
Col. Johnstone spoke Of his work in
the legislature and his. leading the
fght.-to cut down the fraudulent State
debt frora thirty millions to seven, and
the funding of his county debt, every
dollar of which was paid during his
term of service in the general assem-
bly,. He spoke of two years service in
congress and stated that a number OF
Mexican and Florida veterans, through
his efforts, we're placed on the pension
roll, yet his time was SO limited that
he had made but few acquaintances in
congress, yet they all know how and
why he was succeeded by Latimer.
He spoke of the constitutional conven-
tion and his part in the work. He
still had an ungratifed ambition and
hopes yet to be granted an opportu-
nifty to write his name on the pages
of history so that future generations.
,,,;Jl roa1 thereon rvhon hn ia gone that