The Union times. [volume] (Union, S.C.) 1894-1918, 1912-08-09
GRACE HOWLED Down BY
HOODLUMS AT SPARTANBURG

Grace dared the 'nlgger' VINO threw
it to come on the stage. He then apol-
ogized to the several negroes in the
gallery for referring to the monster
who threw the egg as a member of
their race.
Grace assailed Blease's record, but
only got him as far as the alleged
stolen essay in college before he was
howled down. The Spartanburg po-
lice force came in for much bitter
criticism for the part it played. The
Charleston mayor reiterated that this
could never happen in his city, and
on more occasions than one advised
| Mayor Pro Tenn Leonard to resign
He said the Spartanburg police were
| worse than those in New York.
Blease Had Free Speech.
Mayor Grace stated amid howls:
Gentlemen, "when the governor of
South Carolina went to the city of
Charleston l sat in the audience and
saw that he had a respectful hear
ing"
The jeers and yells of "Hurrah for
Blease" prevented Mr.. Grace from be-
ing heard further. He said some
thing about the right to free speech
being one of the cardinal principles
of liberty upon which the republic
was founded.
Mr.. Grace quietly paced back and
forth upon the stage, waiting for the
uproar to cease.
where are the POlice?"
"Where are the police?" cried
many in the audience, while many
persons moved forward with plea
to be allowed to act as officers.
Postmaster w. M. Floyd mounted
the stage and made an earnest ap-
peal for respectful hearing for Mr..
Grace. His words were almost drown
ed in the noise, but in the lulls, with
hand upraised, he entreated the audi
ence to allow Mr.. Grace to speak.
whether you are for Blease or
Jones'" said Mr.. Floyd, "be man.
Don't disgrace our city"
In Sanctuary of Liberty
II realize" said Mr.. Grace, when
temporary calm had been restored,
chat / am standing tonight within
the sanctuary of American liberty. If
there were ever place on American
soil where the right of speech should
be sacred it should be in the shad-
ow of Kings Mountain and of Cow
pens. believe there flows in the
veins of you men the blood of the
men who fought at Cowpens. have
been taught that one thing for which
your forefathers fought was the right
of free speech, and when you dis
honor that right you are unworthy
of the name of American citizen.
No Objection Now"
81 have no objection to yo>n hur-
rahing for Blease now, but I'n ven
ture to predict you will not be hur-
rahing for him when l am through"
eve don't need you," shouted a
disturber. "We have a mayor of our
own. Go back to Charleston"
"Why did you come here if you did
not want to hear me-" answered
Grace. "You are governed by the
same anarchy that your leader is
governed by"
The din again became deafening.
Under threats of arrest some of the
disturbers left the theatre and held
Blease meeting on the street.
MIR. Jones' Appeal.
Samuel B. Jones, who was sitting
in the balcony, arose and called for
the chairman of the meeting. When
he finally succeeded in getting the at
tention of DR.. Leonard, Mr.. Jones de-
manded of him that he appoint suffi-
cient deputies to clear the gallery of
the hoodlums.
Somebody yelled at Mr.. Jones to
sit down, that he was drunk
"The man who said that is a dirty
liar" said Mr. Jones, and offered to
fight him. A pistol was displayed,
and Mr.. Jones folded his arms and
called: "Shoot me, you, coward"
All this time others in the audience
who wanted order were denouncing
the mayor and the police with
sneers. julius l.. Carson, Ralph K.
Carson and a number of others call
ed on the police to do their duty and
eject the disturbers.
Solicitor j. C. Otis advanced to the
stage and called upon those who were
willing to act as special policemen to
restore order to come and stand with
him. There was quick response,
one of the first to come forward be-
ing gray-bearded man well up in
years.
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