SATURDAY, NOVEMBER ft, 1861. EXTRACT FROM THE EAST SFEECH OF STEPHEN A. DOUGLAS “ The conspiracy t. break ap the tJni.ii is a fact now kaewn te all. Armief are beinz raised, and war lerled te accomplish it. There can be bat two sides to the contraveny. Every man mutt be on the ■lde el the United States or against it. There can be no neatrals in this war. There can be none bnt patriots and traitors.” The N rival Expedition, Commodore Hiram Paulding, who is one of the most distinguished officers in our navy, arrived in our city iVom Washington last night. He was at the State Department at two o’clock yesterday afternoon, where a spe cial messenger had arrived from the fleet, and he considered the intelligence received in re gard to the Naval Expedition to be highly gratifying, and indicative of a brilliant tri umph. Without entering into details, he as sured his friends that all had gone well—that the expedition had been more successful than we could have reasonably anticipated, and he has no doubt that it will achieve a victory that will rejoice every loyal heart in the country) and shecl new lustre upon the national arms. THE LATEST WAR NEWS. We have intelligence of hh Important battle at Belmont, near Columbus, Kentucky, on the 7th instant, in which the rebels, who greatly outnum bered our own troops, were forced to retreat, after suffering great loss. The Union troops displayed extraordinary gallantry during the engagement. They were under the command of Generals Grant and McClernand, of whom biographical skotchos ore published elsewhere in this morning's Press. We received yesterday reports from Fortress Monroe in regard te the navAl expedition - Al though not entirely reliable, they strongly indi cate that a few of our vessels were disabled by the storm, and driven ashore on the coast of North Carolina; that an attempt has been made to effect an entrance at Port Royal, which was warmly op posed, General Beauregard having, as wc stated several days ngo, gone to South Carolina to super intend its coast defences. We have a strong confidence in the ability of the able commanders of our expedition to grapple with any difficulties that they may encounter, and to achieve results which will be alike honorable to themselves and serviceable to the great cm wo of which they are distinguished champions. General Thomas W. Sherman, who directs the land forces, graduated at West Point in 1836, distinguished himself in Florida, in the Mexican war, and by his services in the Northwest, tm gentlemen, serose the ee&an for a short period, and for a special purpose—for the ohanee of getting rid of this dizziness, which perplexes me almost every moment—and in the hope of finding some relief for the infirmities I have labored under for many years, and which have been greatly in crewed by the uneeasipg Inkers ef the last ten er eleven ipunliis “It is mV expectation to return again to that country to which -I am, like yourselves, nobly devoted. All that country—l mean the Union—oqmmenced with the good old thirteen States, I hope will soon be made-up Again to its thirty-four.' Although I hare keen ccmgcllcd to retire from the field, I bare the consolation to be able to assure you that the com mand of the army is in competent hands. My opinion on the subject may have some weight with yon. *■ “ I leave in tbe field generals of great ability— Major Generals'McClellan and Hnlleck —Of a high order of intellect, of scientific attainments, of much ability in all military affairs, and of excellent judgment and discretion. Under their command, and those of the brigadier generalß, I have no doubt the arms of the eountry will be led to victory. I have no doubt that in their hands the destinies of the country will be safe; and I have no doubt that they yin achieve a successful and honorable peace within a few months, and that the great blessings of pence will again be restored to us with in a reasonable period. “ I havo considerable confidence in the Adminis tration of the conntry. I do not speak of party confidence, for I have long oeased to be a party man. I have great confidence in the President. He is a man of genius, untiring zeal, and conscien tiousness. It is due from me to say that he is not a President of my making; I had no part nor lot in his election. I confess that he has agroeably disappointed mo. Ho is a man of great ability, fidelity, and patriotism. I could speak in a. similar manner of several members of the Cabinet, hut I forbear.” Afterwards, be was waited upon by the whole Union Defence Committee, and, in reply to them, he made the following speech: “ The language ef praise is sweet when it comes from high sourocs of intelligence and moral worth; and sweet, also, is tbe consciousness ef haring la bored hard through a long life to merit it. The measure (ho added) was full and overflowing. The great calamity which has befallen the country—the rebellion—bad found him advanced far in life; and the labors. responsibilities, and .anxieties which it had thrown upon him, had broken him down. He was now hut a wreck. If the calamity had oc curred three or four years before, it would hare found him vigorous'and in a condition to do some service in meeting it; and he would have met it, he flattered himself, successfully. “ Although he was hors tie combat , yet he was happy to say—and his opinion on this subject might be of some value—that he had left on the field a large and patriotic army, in which were many of the bestycitizens of the country, the best of officers and men, commanded by generals of great merit; generals capable of maintaining and achieving vic tory, On the field were young and vigorous men, competent to perform all the duties which the coun try requires of them—Major General McClellan, 4 man of scientific ; attainments and genius, and of respectable experience, Major General Halleok, another officer of jgenius, science, and discretion— who would meet all the expectations of his Govern ment, and country, and many brigadiers and colonels of great .Worth. “ He (General Scott) did not therefore despair of the Union ; he was even confident of the success of our cause within a limited time, and hoped that the coming spring would find the rebellion suppressed. In a short time more, he hoped that another union of fraternity would be re-established so firmly as to endure forever. ' The Union had commanded all his affections. The 'Union was his country, and he knew no other. '.To the United States only be owed allegiance, and ho meant to die in that allegiance.” Wo publish oq our first p&go & skotoh of GftWfi&l McClernand, and the other Union general is Gen. Ulysses 8. Grant, Who is an Illinoisan, and an officer of promise. He is a graduate of West Point, and also served honorably in Mexican war, having been eleven years attached to the Fourth Regiment United States Infantrjr. Since be left the army ho has been engaged in the mercantile business in Galena, and upon the breaking out of the present troubles raised and commanded a regiment of infantry from Illinois, from Which position ho was appointed by G&Vs?h&6iit brigadier general. At the storming of the city of Mexico he was second lieutenant and acting regimental quartermaster general. On the 13th and 14th of September, at the taking of tho city of Mexico, Capt. Brooks, of the Socond Artillery, in bis report mentions that “ Lieut. U. S. Grant, with a few men of the Fourth United States Infantry, joined with him, and, after an obstinate resist ance, the strong hold work was carried, and tho enemy’s right !waa completely turnedand again, Major Lee, ip his report, states that “Second Lieuts. Grant and J udahbehaved with distinguished gallantry on tfcelSth and 14th of September. n Col. Grant superseded Gen. Prentiss in command at Cape Girardeau, Mo., in September, being appointed bri gadier general by .Congress, and immediately took command of our forces in southeast Missouri, estab lishing his headquarters at Cairo, and leaving Col. Cook, of the&eventh Illinois, at Cape Girardeau. Ope cf (he first acts 6f General Grant, after establishing himself at Cairo, was the occu pation of the rebel town of Paducah, Kentucky, which he tixjk without firing a gun. General Grant is a man of plain exterior, experi enced in militury duties, firm and decisive in manner, and one who is esteemed highly by (he soldiers* under his command, as well as by all who know him He is plain and retiring in his manners, and never wastes a word with any one, but pays strict attention to his military duties. He is, without doubt, one of the best and most accom plished officers in the West, and, in the middle a^e of life, is still calculated to take an .active .part lu he service of bis country. and Dangerous Counterfeit Utte ltEit Aiuussted.— A counterfeit five-dollar note, on the Farmer*’ and Mechanics’ Bank of this city, was freely circulated in the city on Thursday evening. It is au exact imitation, but "not very well done. On the coun terfeit, over tho cnamer’f* i»iw*t Toppan, Carpenter A Go., is “American Bank Koto Company.” This is not on the cenuJms as that company did not n uke the plates. We believe the hank intends calling in all of this issue, and having a new plate made. Robert Kearney was committed On Thursday evening, by Alderman Beitler, on the charge of attempting to pass oncaif the now coun terfeit notes. John Brown was committed by Alderman Claris for pupping one ©i' the bogllfl bills lit (he 4vYC4- tcuith ward. THE CITY. AMUBEMKNTS THIS EVENING. Arch-Steer? Theatre—Arch street, above Sixth.— « The House on the Bridge of Notre Dame ’* —“ Robber's Wife." Wbbatlbt'S CoxtixbWTAl. Thbatr* —Walnut street, Above Eighths" Oliver Twiit" « black-Kyed Swum." Walnut-Street theatre—Ninth and Walnut sts.— “O’Neil, the Rebel« Nick of tho Woods; or, the Jibbenainomiy," American Academy op Mnsrc—Broad and Locust streets.—Hermann, tho Prehtldigitatcur. Tkmpliß of B. corner Tenth and Chest nut etieete.—Signor Blitz’s Entertainment. Assembly Btm.piKua—Corner of Tenth and Chestnut streets.—Waugh's Italia and Stereoscopic Views of the War. Olympic Music Hall— Raco street, between Second and Third.—Concerts nightly. Return of Government Officers with a State Prisoner. Last evening Detective Ben Franklin, with tho Super intendent of the Government Detective Corps, and tho deputy marshal, William K. Jones, of Boston, arrived in this city from Massachusetts, having iu custody William Gilchrist, lately a Government prisoner at Fort Warren. The superintending detective and Mr. Franklin left this city, a few days ago, with tho intention of arresting Darker H. Aik aid fiflfeiUUl 1 &iid nh alleged rebel emissary. Certain papers obtained in this city assured the of ficers that French was at some point in New England, engaged iu disseminating disloyalty, and in forwarding information to prominent rebels in Canaria and tho British Provinces. By skilfully directing their move ments tlioy discovered French at Brandforu, Coun., not far from the city of New Haven. He bad secreted him self in a cosy inn, maintained by an old couple, and had greatly influenced the minds of the villagers iu his favor. „ fc. There were no Unionists so devoted as French, and having lost ids arm in sundry duels, French was an ob ject of considerable sympathy with the good people of tliu town. lie professed to have perilled his life in Mexico, and stated, with great evidence of feeling, that his crip pled condition alone withheld him from the field at tho present time. The New York, Philadelphia, and Boston papers came to him daily, and lie maintained a large cor respondence with tlibaffectcd doodlo at Bridgeport mid other doubtful parts of the State. Shrewd, unprincipled, and active, Fronch might have made much enmity to tho Government in Connecticut, and nftorded much valuable information to the rebels in Canada. Ho was well known an a’bool, calculating, and intrepid man, whoso zeal for a bad cause whs at all times greater than his devotion to a true one. What harm he piny have done we can only infer; but his groater schemes of treason lor the future were effectually dispelled by his arrest. When taken into custody, French became nervous, and hurriedly begged Mr. Franklin to procure him a glass of brandy. Iu a few minutes he was on his way to Boston, and was noon receiving the congratulations o! his Southern friends, in tho strong fortress of Boston harbor. Detective Franklin gave us, last evening, a minute description of Fort Warren and its denizens. The rebut prisoners, particularly those captured at Hatteraa, he describes as being of the most filthy, grotesque, and ignorant character. Thny were huddled together, pro fane, purposeless, and mortified, rejoicing over the ru mored scattering of our squadron by Uio storm of Thurs day. A number, in Detective Franklin's hearing, were praying that tho gale might destroy our Beamen and sink our vessels. Commodore Barron was particularly insolent and offi cious, asserting that all his men had claims as prisoners of war; and the Government seems to have willingly re sponded to his demands. The people of Boston, actuated by injudicious charity, had daily gent down to the foil quantities of fresh provisions, clothing, and numerous delicacies. There would have been better disposed to our own soldiery, who are compelled to Btund sontinel over tho recreant prisoners during the day and tho night, and compelled to hear their taunts and maledictions of every thing loyal and patriotic. Winder, of this city, reported released, is stifi in custody at Fort Waireu. William Gilchrist, of thin city, who was arrested with Haig and Wyatt, revived hi*i reluaaa while Mr. Frank lin was upon the island. Pluming himself upon his re lease and the supposed verdancy of the State Depart ment, Gilrliriet received the congratulations of his asso ciates, and started on the same steamer with the detect ives for Boston. On the way over, he made inquiries as to tlie railway trains for Canada, plainly foreshadowing his fear. In Boston, however, much to his chagrin, lie was rearrested, and at once placed iu custody of the U. S. marshal. It will be remembered that Gilchrist had no hearing in this city. He claimed to be a British subject. In Boa ton, however, when the alternative was presented him of a hearing in that city, or a transfer to Philadelphia and examination here, he gladly consented to accompany the officers, apprehensive that, in view of the damning testi mony against him, h« would mfler at tbe hands of the Boston populace. He reached this city yesterday after noon, and was at once taken to Moyamensing prison. He will have a hearing next week, before United States Commissioner Heazlitt. Much'‘credit is due to Mr. Franklin and his coadjutor, for the manner in which this arrest was conducted. Both Gilchrist and French are dangerous men, tho last particularly. French is now heyond the roach or doing ill, and Gilchrist has scarcely less flattering prospects in the future. The Gilchrist case will test the Question of international law. The Remains of Coi. Baker in Inde pesdesce Hall.—The remains of this gallant soldier lay in gtata at Independence llall all day yesterday, and the public was allowed to view them from 9 A. SI. until 9P. SI. The arrangements of the chief of police to pre vent disorder and wrangling, which even the solemn na ture of tho spectacle might have been ineffectual to re press, were effective, and therefore admirable. A posse of sixty officers was detailed within and around tho building, and by its presence controlled tbe more turbu lent of the crowd. The coffin was placed directly in the centre of the apartment, being placed near the statue of Washington, and opposite tbe main entrance door. Its lid had been wholly removed, so as to permit a full view of the re mains. The features of tho face are full as in life, and some what Bushed. Still, while laddhg the Usual coldness and rigidity of death, they have all its pallid expressionless nees.' The right cheek-bone appears to have been slightly contused, and across the forehead there are seve ral red seams, or marks, that show the deceased must have been dragged with his face upon the ground while bemgf rescued from tbe rebels. He iB arrayed in full regimentals; a wreath of ovor* greens reposes upon his breast—a bright symbol of his enduring worth and memory. The flag—which we men tioned yesterday as a gift from the “greasy mechanics" of California—lies in folds over the lower part of the body and coffin, and muskets are stacked around. The Hall wag illuminated during afi last night, and the Ciij Grays, who bad ho?n c6dS?ft« tho Gush! of Honor, remained on duty, la alternate detacoments, patrolling the Hall, and occasionally lending assistance to the police. Both branches of City Councils, at their meeting on Thursday afternoon, adjourned until yesterday morning, when they were to assemble and take a last view'of tho gallant Colonel. The members entered their respective chambers rather slowly, and It was eleven o'clock before everything was in readiness for the official visit, , At, that time they formed in line and proceeded to tlie HaH of Independence. The Select Couucil led off, Khd wore preceded by H. J. Fougeray, messenger. The Common Council followed, under the lead of George F. Gordon, clerk. The Connciimen all removed their hate as they entered the door.. After passing arouud the coffin, they again returned to their chambers. The scene, during the visit of tbe city officials, wag Quite impressive. Some of the members lingered around the bier for several minutes, and were considerably moved by the solemn scene. The line from the street was suspended until the retirement of the Couucilmen. This morning, about eight o’clock, aa-wa have already announced, the body will leave the hall, under the above named escort, and proceed to Kensington depot. The committee of three, who came with it from Washington, will accompany it to New York and thence to Sati Fran cisco. Tiib Late Explosion at Bridesburg.— Yesterday morning the funeral of Patrick Cooney, who •was killed by the explosion at the Bridesburg Arsenal, as reported, took place from his father’s residence, on Bustleton road, near Fraukford, Twenty-third ward. The deceased was unmarried, and only thirty years of age. J. Neil, the other victim, was buried on Thursday, fiom his late residence, at Whitehall, Twenty-third ward. Ho was also unmarried, F. Bilhart, a soldier at the arsenal, who was wounded by being Btruck with the Hying missile?, was in a critical condition yesterday. It is reared his injuries will prove latal. The true cause of the sad catastrophe has not yet been ascertained, and it is likely never will, as the only two persons who were in Ihe drying department, where the explosion occurred, were instantly killed. Fulmi nating powder, the combustible which exploded, is com posed of sodium* mercury, and nitric acid, and is so very dangerous that ids placed in jars, and water poured over it, At the time of tho accident the drying-room con tained six pounds of tho powder, spread upon paper, and twelve jars, having fifty pounds in each. It is believed that only the six pounds exploded, as a portion of that contained in the jars was found a considerable distance from the demolished building. The chemist at the arsenal gives as his opinion that the explosion of one pound of the fulminating powder would have produced the same effect, As to the cause, (he belief is that one of tha two unfortunute mun had either trod upon some of the powder or let a weight fall upon it. The drying build ing was a separate brick structure from the rest of the -arsenal buildings, and was about fifteen foot square, and filled entirely on all sides with shelving. It was com pletely destroyed, nearly every brick being separated, and some thrown to a great distance, Bligbtly damaging the surrounding property, The force of the explosion may be imagined when the shock was felt in Frankford, and the body of one of the victims thrown about one hundred yards. The drying-room was only used for the one purpose. After the powder was thoroughly dried, it was at once used in filling caps and primers. The powder is so liable I? explosion, that onjy ft® amort required for taunt, diate use Is placed out to dry. Often in filling caps and primers slight explosions will occur, which generally do no further damage than to stun those who may be en gaged in using it. Recently there has been avast amount of work done at the arsenal at Bridesburg. Men are employed both night and day* and even on Bundays. Ammunition, Ac., is constantly being taken away, as many as ten and fifteen car loads at a time. Some time since seventy loads at once were sent off. Mußkets, ca valry equipments, Ac., manufactured at other places, are token there for inspection, after which they are con veyed wherever needed. The work of replacing the drying department has al ready been commenced. The ruins have to be carefully removed, for fear there may stilt be some powder under neath, as the least shock would cause another exptoilon. This accident does not interfere materially wßli/the workings of the establishment Naval Affairs.— The busy hum of activity in the several departments of the navy yard continues unabated. A regiment of operatives constantly belabor the “ wooden walls," while au equal number are engaged in the removal and transportation of military stores, armament for the navy, etc. The click of hammora closing rivets up gives unceasing note of preparation. The machinery of the steamer Florida, lying in tho stream, is undergoing considerable repairs. She is ex pected to sail during tho early iuirt«f next' week. The State of Georgia is about to receive her arma ment, having been fitted out.as a gunboat. She will pro bably mount eight guns, some of which will be short 32-pounders. A list of her officers will bo immediately forwarded to this station from the Navy Department, when she will be ready to sail. . The Keystone State is being partially overhauled, some necessary joiner’s work being required. The steamer Brooklyn haa been placed on the stocks for the purpose of boing variously patched on her sides. When removed, the ship St. Louis will bo put on tho order to be properly coppered. The slcle-wheel boat Miami, in the lower ship house, is ready for launching, no far as concerns the carpenter work. Further work upon this boat has been delayed for two weeks, in order to receive tho bed pieces of her machinery, not yet completed by Merrick A Sons. Thentw Government gunboat Jame s S. Chambers will be launched to-day, from the yard of her builders, Messrs. Williams A Sons. She was originally intended for a brig, for general freighting, but having boen pur chased by the Government, nlterntionß woro made ac cordingly. She will be taken to the navy yard, after launching, for the reception of armament, stores, etc. State Arms and Accoutrements. — The fol lowing notice has been issued by order of the Adjutant General of the State* State Aims end Accoutrements.— l have received authority from the Adjutant General’s Department “ to demand and collect from whose hands the mm# may be found, all the military arms and accoutrements what every both good and bad, belonging to tho Stute, iu the county of Allegheny, and give receipts.” Therefore, all persous lmvln£ dhy millt**? P*6p4rty, or knowing where any can be found, belonging to the State of Pennsylvania, such as muskets, rifles, ordnance, swords, pistols, tents, saddles, sabres, and equipments of all kinds, will deliver the some to the Mayor’s office, Fourth street, Pittsbyrg. No patriot or good citizen will refuse to deliver up his musket in these times, aud should anyone refuse, it is the undeniable duty ol the loyal American to report his name. It is hoped that all will see the urgent necessity of their earliest and whole attention to the above. SamvrlW. Hay, Acting Brigade Inspector. The purpose of tho 'Department is doubtless to have these weapons and accoutrements refitted at once, and placed Jn the hands af the army at points whero nothing but garrieou duty is to be performed. Religious Reading for the Soldiers.— We insert the following list of subscriptions to the Young Men’s Christian Association, now engaged iu supplying religious reading to the soldiers: They are, for the week ending September 9, $52.82; September 30, feOJii . OrtolW 7, *32.C-J; October 14, $37.42; 21, 446*5; DricLcr % November I, S9d.fiQl making gii aggregate of DEMOCRATIC MEETING. THE ALLEGED ELECTION FRAUDS A PROTEST IN INDEPENDENCE SQUARE. Last evening a largo mass meeting, wilh torches and banners, was held in the rear of the State House, ad jacent to Independence llall. The object of the meeting was to make public the alleged frauds at the recent elec tion, particularly in so far as the soldiers' votes were concerned. To Uiw end a full statement of the frauds reforrtd to had been prepared, but as the evidence is of little interest to the general reader, we have presented below only the salient and pointed part of the address, printing In full only the resolutions. If it wore our pur pose to advocate the interests of the particular party by whom the meeting waa held, wo might have devoted a •large space to its proceedings. Enough M given, how ever, to indicate the spirit of the gathering, which was quite as enthusiastic and numerous o« any of the mass meetings held prior lo the war. The torches and ward processions gave a lustrous ami pleuh.ant guUo to the meeting, but the bhr, but, in order to swamp tlio.se returns, there have been sent hero false returns—returns of elections which never took place, ami purporting to be signed with the names of regimental that am* forgeries—admitted to he false—admitted to be forgeries. Well now, fellow citizens, these returns have been raado to the prothono tary of the Court of Common Pleas, whose business it is to receive and present those returns to the return judges; and the prothonotary, (I doubt not that he is a respect able individual, and I cannot suppose acts iu any other way than according to what' he supposes tn be right;) tho prothonotary, we are told, is about to refuse to dis tinguish between tho forgeries and the election returns. Now, gentlemen, if, when those returns come to be placed before the judgw, the judges also rrfuse to exer cise their senses, and to judge the difference between false and fair, forged and true, the question for you to decide—and we have come here, this evening, to think upon—is where we shall be, and what use there can he of bolding an election at all. This is the question, tron llemen, which, in a few brief words, I have stated to you as the cause of our present meeting; and I will now have the honor of bringing before you the speakers who are to address you. [An excited man in the crowd here proposed “ three cheers for Mr. Ewing," which was responded to.] - Tlie next speaker was Colonel Ypung, >y|jo, on being introduced, spoke as follows; This I regard as a union of the Democracy for the sake of the Union, lor I am beginning to think it can save it. This meeting has been called for tlie purpose of maintaining tlie purity of tbe ballot-box. Tho Demo cracy of Philadelphia, for the last few years, hare suf fered from the frauds that have been perpetrated; and we have now met, to-night, not for tha purpos* of mo lesting, or creating any sensation calculated to pro duce a civil strife here, for wc have enough iu the South, and God knows, the Administration and its satellites do not want a fire in the rear. We stand here, to-night, for tlie rights of the ballot-hox. That is the very principle, and that waa the doctrine, that put Abraham Lincoln in the Presiden tial chair, and it put these fellows in the Row; and if they calculate to keep in there and perpetuate their term, they must not permit any more frauds upon tlie honest Demo cracy of tlie land. Some may think that Democrats who talk that way ought to be at tbe war, but we hayo gent enough, and thatik God! there is enough still plead the cause of the Democratic. sofltyy, t ; iayP| any hesitation, to make this declaration, that I, for one, will not submit to the damnable frauds that have been perpe trated. 'When wo talk of the ballot-box, it is the palla dium of American liberty, and it is the only thing that an American citizen should fight for. I would fight for it quicker than I would, if it came to the point, for the Union almost—and I lovo the Union ih hiy V£i-y heart. John Hampton struck for twenty shillings in England. We resisted the oppression of tlie British Government, and we know, too, what our Government did. It was for the Right, resisting tax ation and oppression; and, after all, the whole form of our Government has been vested, and is to-day, simply in the right of the ballot. We have met here, to-uight, to resist what I will pronounce, so fas as oonesvns ouv city . government and these parties who are about to per petrate this • fraud upon us, the most villainous set o£ fellows I ever knew of in my life. [Laughter.] Ido not want to he harsh. ( {A voice—“ He is harsh enough."] But, Mr. President and fellow-cilizens, when I reflect upon the character of this intended traud, and when one of the deputy sheriffs told me yesterday that we L«d been counting for a week, but that they were going to begin again, it is enough to make virtue c» y out. I have come to this conclusion, that there are times when fire can be struck from ice ; and, cold as they may think tbe Democracy, and downtrodden, as our pre sident suggested, (they thought we were thirteen months ago)—there is a time when fire may be struck from ice, and cold as we are, they will find that there is still that old vital fire iu the great old Democracy. Tho poet says that patience sometimes ceases to be a virtue'. I think that time has come; and I, for one, as a simple, single individual, am determined that they shall nut cheat us successfully this time. If there is a Democrat in Philadelphia that submits to it, he should never be recognized as a Democrat again; and I believe, as Tal leyrand says, there is more to be made, after all, in poli tics ,by bring feared than by bring loved, Our policy is to make these’scoundrels who attempt to cheat fear us. That is my doctrine, gentlemen. I will not occupy your time any lorgcr. There are more distinguished speakers titan myself. Hon. Wm. H. Witte was next introduced. He said; Mb. President and Gentlemen: There may betfoos# present who know that this is not tho first tune I have hod tiie honor of addressing Democrats on this spot. The occasion is one peculiar in itself, having greater signiti cancy than any which I have ever addressed or ever at tended. We have met here to discuss the principles of our party—to canvass freely the doctrines and the theo ries of the Opposition, in all their various phases, aud under their almost innumerable names and guises. Wo have had difficulties almost always to know what we should call them, though we always knew very well what they called us. Wo always knew what we intended to do, but we never did know, I believe, quite well, what they intended to do. We have had to meet tbe ’ enemy under an infinite variety of forms, botli as to appearance, as to profession, aud as to pretence, and my friend, the president, has very properly remark ed, bs to color even. When we talked about the right of the elective franchise as applied to those who were regarded as citizens undor the law—and tho law recog nized every white man, no matter where he was born* or what religious professions ho made—we were told that this waß a very groat heresy, a very great fallacy, a very great error, leading, it was said, to rank treason itself against the Government. Wo were told that a man was to be held accountable foi the circum stance of his birth or fact of his religion. Wo were told that a man who was born on one side of tho water, al though he had nothing to do with that circumstance, was not the equal of a man boru on this side of the water, although born of the same man and tho samo woman, and that he ought not to have tho same rights. [Laughter.] Against that the Democratic party always declaimed. The Democratic party said ihe law recognizes no dis tinction between those men who are qualified under the law; that white men, no matter where they were born or what their religious opinions or professions may be, are equal before the law, and entitled to all tho privileges under the law. But after a little while, we found that the Opposition, although it had contended for the very nicest distinctions between men of the Bftmo color and same bicod, suddenly, almost miraculously, found there was no distinction to bo mode between men in religion alone, but that there was no distinction to be made between men, either black or white; and thus they eracted in every non-slaveholding State in this country. When the Opposition had triumphed, they enacted that tho negro should have, not alone tho rights and privi leges which the free, tho natural-born wbito man Ims here, but that he should have such rights and privileges as the foreign-born citizen hod not tho right to enjoy 1 Well, we yielded. Of courso wo yielded; but we stem med the current as btst we could. Wo stood against this Northern fanaticism, this Northern treason, and this damnable heresy; against grace, against Constitution, And against law, [Cheers.] Wo contended for the equality of the white man, and not for the equality of the race with the negro mixed in it. We contended that tho Teuton and Saxon blood, no matter whence derived, without regard to the circumstances of birth or religion, was equal before the law and undor the Constitution* as the spirit fttid letter of that law demanded. Aud thus wc contended, although wo feel for a moment we have triumphed and boon vindicated in this Northern country, upon that question, in every single non-slaveholding State. When this treason and heresy overrode us* it was by the peaceful and constitutional process of the ballot. And wro yielded ; but when, a year ago, to tha great American peoplo, North aud South] this question was submitted for thoir arbitrament, we, tha Northern Democracy, who had stood, like a wall of fire, against Northern treason* in defence of our Southern brethren and their constitu tional rights, which were overpowered by the constitu tional process of the ballot—then we a*ked our Southern brethren to do what wc had done in times gone by* and yield to that process. They failed to do it, and became traitors to Federal authority and to. the Constitution anil laws. They have risen in rebellion against those rights which we contended for, for them as well as ourselves, aud brought on the present fearfully impending peril of our beloved country. You will see, gentlemen, that this whole question isoue of the sanctity of the ballot. Our country is convulsed iuav. North and South, to Its Mitwwwst vorga. Now, for a single moment, gentlemen, remember that you are standing here on the soil where this great doctrine of tho ballot-box was first proclaimed. You are here under the very roof of tho temple of tho ballot—of tho groat rigid of franchise—and of the great doctrine of man’s ability and right to govern himself. You are hero whore Wfta first eimcM tiro great theory and th® gr° a l doctrine tliut the political power—the power r tiiepry tlmn upon the consent of those who are governed. That wa? tho theory, plain and simple, that was announced hero not very long ago. Under (hat theory, gentlemen, we prospered, we extended our dominions, and from thirteen States wo became, as you know, thirty-three States—from the North even unto the Pacific coast did we extend our do minions. And what dominion ! Not that dominion which one-man power can give; but the dominion which you, and yoa, and you, [pointing to liia auditors,] liuni ble though you may be, help to create, and which you delegated for u specific and special purpoge, as your agent, your authority, your power, has expressed through the peaceful and yet legal and efficient process of (lie ballot. Old countries, old governments, look with perfect amazement upon this spectacle in this Western world. What i can it he true thalktor the laps* of vrv can build op on empire here which rivals cKn th wildest imagination of philosophers, by the -exercise of this right of franchise 1 WpK&yypa! Why? Because <*'*ry man who contributes to that power is himself • port or it, and when it fails properly to answer to that authority, there is a power to delegate it to a more com petent and honest one, therefore, to carry out the pw ple’a wishes. Thut is the plain, simple theory of the American Government—that is tho plain, simple theory of the ballot. When n man goes to ft hallot-box andde posits his vole, ho na>-« it is a very little thing. Why, that silent little messenger has Almost the attributes of the Deity itself. It in a part of thnt delegated power which has made this western hemisphere the rival of tb© world, [Applause.] Well, l»«w plain and simple, then, is this theory of the ballot; always, however, remembering that flic r jgj|t of ihtt'4-ttUcn in to he guarded by the law; always remem bering that this right of ballot not only bc-comos a farce and an insult, but it foul, Mack, damning iniult when it is used for a damnable purpose. Nothing ran be more sacred in the estimation of the free citizen than that right of Irancbiw-; hut that right is of no continence at all if it is not to bars that and {hfiu.-t»c'- which the citizen intends it should have: when it be comes the instrument, not of a legitimate expression of American freemen, but the instrument of tlie base minion of power or tlie besotted and degraded demagogue—then it becomes th© ruin of tbe Commonwealth and of the com,try. [AyrtaiwM I never thought, Mr, Prcslllmt, that I would bo obliged to come here, on this sacred soj| T to demand that tlie sanctity of the ballot-Mix should he observed. I have never thought, dir, that in th© shadow of judicial power, and, as I liavt* been taught to believe, of judicial justice, that tho people of the city of .Philadelphia would require to come together &iwl demand j u%ial inttirfmTicr for tin? uxerciso nf tin? right* and privileges of American freemen. [Applause.} Gentle men, I have said I did not heliev© 1 would ever live to see the day when I would mingle with a concourse of people assembled hero for this purpose. I do not wish you to think that I have not full faith and confidence in our judicial authorities, w hich every good citizen should have. I know that th** HU, mid wrongs, and injustices that have been put upon us rerrntly are hart to bo borne, but I want it distinctly understood that I have failed nut in my confidence in tbe judicial power of this Commonwealth and of Mils city. I believe that there is no wrong which the courts of the city cf Phila delphia will not remedy anil will nut correct. I Am here to allay the public feeling, not to inflame jj r why, gentlemen 1 Because I believe in (lieomnipotent moral power of the great Democratic party. When th© time comes that the Democratic party in this city, or in this State, or elsewhere, must resort to violence to gain justice' and to reach its purpose, I tell you, gentlemen, that the period of its decay, ami of it* ruin, and of its dentil hart tirrlrul, (Anplatifie.] 1, vtlio haro llred*, and you, Mr. President, ami others, who have lived through the dark period of the Democratic party, will not now, when it comes out into the bright sunlight, lose con fidence in its moral power, und resort to brut© force to gain a result, however desirable. I know that defeats are very hard t$ boftf —J thftt 4 is a grievous thing to he borne. These fftiididate* or yours had a chance, and they weresuceessful. Now tt is sought to client them out of their rights, which they fairly, legally, and constitutionally won. It is not upon ft legal question that the difficulty arises, bat it is Tn re ference to those things which are clearly Illegal, You liftvu read an mximiitof thin in tlie pnbHc journals. You know pnrfectly well, everybody mA I tejcelt it will not he uncharitable to suppose that the legal gen tlemen will at least have as fair a share of cotntnoo sense, and, perhaps, butter means of deriving infor mation—therefore they will know that thin is an open aLd an acknowledged fraud upon th© ballot-box, and tlierelore upon the Democratic candidates whs liavo been elected. [Applause.] But the question that more im mediately concerns you, gentlemen, is not so much as to who shall go into those offices. You have don? your du ty —yon have exercised tbe right of citizens. Tho ques tion that more immediately concerns you, Is what are you to do as citizens now 1 What is your business now aa citizenp, und what is tbe great duty and great function of the Democratic party in this crisis l Why, the De mocratic party must insist, always legally and con stitutionally—by that process, and hy no other— Upon the very lust tittle and degree of ©very right and priTiiogo timt belongs to (lie citizen. Any man who Uurcß to prevent the expression or your opinion for any purpose whatever, proper or improper, commits an in vasion upon rights so sanctified, so sacred, and so dear, that, without this sanctity, those privileges are as nothing. [Applause.] But, the quostion is what are you to do l Why, perhaps, the impulse would be to say w© cannot get justice from the courts. I say to you tb&t, ;>h Democrats nnd good citizens, you hare no right to eny you cannot get justice until the courts have refused you justice,-because I remember the time when the streets of Philadelphia ran red with human blood, and it was said then, w'hen our churches were burned, and our holy slirines invaded, that we could get no justice from the courts. But wc did, thank God ! get justice. [Appluuwi.] I repeat, gentlemen, you all know something of the theory of this Government. Remember thnt the fatal heresy in these Northern States that has brought about this condition of affairs—that has degraded us—that has put our personal liberty in peril, so that we do not know who to-day or to-morrow may be takeu to the BaatLle— ■ remember that this is the Government of opinion apd not of low. fo it was in 1844, and so it was, in a more ab solute and perfect form* in 1852, upon the question of re ligious opinion. Then it wai that, in the majesty of the law, the citizens, at least of one religious sect in this country, declared the Constitution says, “ it is our right that there shall be no religious test, and we will worship God according to the dictates of our conscience, not your.-, und you shall not interfere with us.” [Applause.] No, no, said the&o Northern propagandists, Intend that you *h all ro to heaven according to our rule and our road. Weil, we said we thought we had a right to do as wc pleased. Is not this a free country! Oh! yes, they replied, provided you do every thing as we want you to do. Well, gentlemen, I want you to recollect that it is the misrion of the Democratic party to protect the citizen whenever lie is assailed in the exerciseof his constitu tional rights. The Democratic party always protects the citizen in those rights. When he was assailed because of his birth, tbe Democratic party protected him—when he was assailed because of his religion, the Democratic party protected him—when he was assailed because of hie business, the Democratic party protected him. It is tli& migyiCm, it l£ tbe purpose, It is the fqnciion of the Democratic party to protect this people in the exercise of their constitutional rights. I need not say to you how in Cincinnati, in St. Louis, in Pittsburg, and elsewhere, to carry out their purpose against foreign-born citizens and those who did not believe religiously as they did, the enemies of the Democratic party had no scheme too base to carry out their object. After a little while you find that tills party that had made this -very distinction be tween men of the same flesh and blood, suddenly became exceedingly liberal upon tho question—they said v>*C Hie Ml of one family, and therefore wc will give the Vlack man the right winch we accord to the native-born citizen, but we will not give to the foreign-born the right which we give to the negro ! That, gentlemen, is tho case now in more than one non-slavehoidhig State tt-hefd the Republican party have power. The Democratic party, as you know, stemmed the torrent of this fanaticism, but it was overwhelmed in the great surge, and it went down, down into a minority; and thus it was that the enemy triumphed, Qur Southern brethren at pace fell off— they would not waff,—tJiey would not remember that for ytars and years we had struggled against this treason and heresy,—they would not wait even until the incoming President would show what he would do; but, with black and damnable heresy to the North, they began to plot tbe ruin of this beloved country. Tho Democratic party had but one course to pursue. Thus it was that the Northern Democracy were firm and united wi tlitA Wat question, ©ml were united in support of the Federal Administration. Now, then, what is this question? It is simply one of the right of franchise. We did not stop here. We have marshalled oar Northern hosts and sent them down on the Potomac and elsewhere. If they had been told that' they were going to uphold Mr. Lincoln's dainuable Black Republican theory, they would m" HP I My fealty to the Constitution and the laws comes from a date oarlier than that of Mr. Lincoln and his party. If it was expected that I should come here to-night merely for the purpose of talking about election frauds, sinking my identity us a Democrat, losing my rich inheri tance in its glorious history in the past, 1 have only to say that it is a great mistake. Let me invoke you to rely upon the'God-like powers of your party to redress all its wrongs and all the evils that may be sought (p !>f pftt upon it. It has attested its fealty to the Federal Union and sealed its devotion by its heart’s blood. [Applause.] Where are the defenders of our flag l Who are upon • the.right—who are upon the outposts'! The Irishmen. [Loud applause.] What has become of the Germans 7 They are fighting shoulder to shoulder with tho Irish man. On tho other side of the Potomac, ffl 11)9 thick tangled underwood of the Virginia forests; there, in the darkness of midnight, they are guarding the very dome of the Capitol. We are the law and order party of the country, and there is none other. I do not think it will tuke much argument to con vince this Republican Administration that Democrats can support it and still be Democrats. [Applause.] I tendered my services days after Sumpter fell, they wtre accepted, l>uf W p to this hour I bare had nothing to do. Believing, then, in the protection of your party, and relying upon it, you will thus vindicate its history, and in the end vindicate the great cause of the Federal Union, with all its glories—observing always that sanctity of tho ballot, nnd observing also to do nothing but in obedience to the law : remembering ale© the axiom which I first proclaimed, that this is a Govern* ment of law, and not a Government of opinion. Mr. John C. Bullit was the next speaker. He said: Mr. Chairman and fellow-citizens, in the year 1860 we had quite a number of public meetings in this square. At that time the Democratic party, believing that they were contending for the safety of this Umon—that if they w'ere successful not a star would be dimmed nor a strips lost from our flag—they contondod that if their ant ago meto Y» ere successful, the result As inevitable WVwhUbo such a civil war aa had never been seen on tbe face of the earth. One year has passed, and is there a man within the sound of my voico who will tell me that the prediction has not been fulfilled to tho letter! And yet, gentlemen, although they were defeated at the ballot box, they submitted peacefully, quiet ly And when the tocsin was sounded that told us that the capital was in danger, whs was D that rallied around the nation’s standard 1 Go to the crimson fields of Big Bethel, Managua?, and Ball’s Bluff, and mingled with their duet you will find the blood of the loyal Demo crats from Pennsylvania. [Applause.] And where are the Wide-Awakes who paraded around with their torches last campaign'! At home making Schimpfellcr rotes* [Laughter.] It is right, fellaw-eitlMtts, that y&u should raise Biich an alarm in reference to this subject. The law protects you in the expression of your opinions. You are giving them to-night, and I toll you to give them in tones that the peoplo will never forget. [Ap plause.] Mr. E. li. Helmbold then read the preamble and reso* lutlons, of which we give the abstract t A simple narration of the causes of grievance in rela tion to tho special object of this meeting will satisfy tho reflecting public of the enormity of tbe acts complained of, und of the propriety of our thus assembling. At the late election, held on Tuesday, October Btb, 1661, Robert Ewing, the Democratic candidate for Sheriff, is returned as having received in the city of Philadelphia, and in those companies of the army about which it is believed there is no dispute, 33,058 votes; and John Thompson is returned as having received in the same manner, 32,321 votes, making a majority of 731 votes in favor of Robert Ewing. Albert Lawrence, the Democratic candidate for Clerk of Orphans' Court] is returned as having received in the seme manner, 32,4x3 votes, and W. C. Stovonson, the Republican candidate, is returned as having received for the seme office, 32,373 rotes; making a majority of 50 votes in favor of Albert Lawrence. Designing to defeat an election thiiß fairly and regu larly made, evil-disposed persons have fabricated a false and forged paper, purporting to bo a return of the Thirty* ninth Regiment Pennsylvania Volunteers, by which it U attempted to give to Robert Ewing and Albert Lawrence sft and 32 votes respectively, and to John Thompson and W. C. Stevenson 912 and 890 votes reapectively. By this return, it is attempted to declare John Thompson etected sheriff by a majority of 119 votes, and W. C. Stevenson clerk of the Orphuna’ Court by a majority of 914 votes. *.#* # * # # Since the passage of the Consolidation Act in 1854, the Republican and People’s parties have had the control of the City Government, except during the years 185$ and 1857. Their management of our municipal affairs has been reckless und profligate, incurring enormous liabili ties by extravagant and useless expenditures* until they have iuvoived UB in ibcxiricublv difficulty and debt, and subjected the property of our people to enormous taxes, grievous (o be borne, besides impairing the credit of our city bv n shameful disregard of the rights of its creditors. # # # # The same evil-disposed persons have, by a cunningly-devised scheme, attempted to overthrow the election by making and using a sat of forged and ficti tious army returns, by moans of which they design to seettro the Beats of Select Council iu the Eleventh *ard, und of the seven Common Councilracn of the Twelfth, Nineteenth, find Twentieth wards. In the Eleventh word, Samuel G. King, the Demo cratic candidate for Select Council, is elected by a ma jority of 4ft. In thu Tweptti ward, William Sutton, the Democratic candidate, wus elected to Common Council by a majority of 49. In the Nineteenth ward, John Hulseman, Thomas H. Spence, and George Brenkwith, the Democratic candi dates for Common Council, were elected over James Boron, Dr. Curren, ami V, B. Siner by majorities of 52* 110, and 03 respectively. In the 'IVt-uileth ward, William Henry, Benjamin T. Wright, and Thomas Adams, the Democratic candidate* for Commou Connell, were elected over S* W. Simmons, I>. J. McClean, and Thotntft M. Evans by majorities of 137, 53, ami 47 respectively. A forged return, purporting to be of elections held in Companies A, C, F, and I, or Eighty-eighth Regiment of rfiijisjiviuiM Volunteers, (Col. Cw, ?, SftttNHU na» been made, by which they give to James Galbraith, tho Republican candidate, in the Eleventh ward, 56 votes for Select Council, thus attempting to defeat Samuel G. King by a majority of 10 votes. They aUo give to Mr. Shoemaker, the Republican candidate, in the Twelfth ward, 54 votes, by which they claim to elect said Shoemaker by a- majority of 5. In order to effect this result, they attempt a further fraud by changing 15 votes, which, on said forged return, are given to Mr. Shorniuker fvr Select Council, »od credit it to him for Common Council. They also give to James Rems. Dr. C-urren, and C. B. Siner, (lie Republican can didates for Common Council,in the Nineteenth war!’, 119 votes each, by which they attempt to defeat Mr. Hulse man by 07 votes, Mr. Spence by 9 votes, and Mr. Urek ,vith by f>6 votes. Thtv Also eivo to S W. Simmons, 1). J. Medium and Jnmt'B Mi Evans, in tha Twentieth ward, 9S votes each, by which they attempt to defeat