SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1884.
TO IHU
mriox State Ckntkat/Committee Rooms, Mo. -llai
Chestnut Street. --(Jut friends in every county and dis
trict in Pennsylvania should immediately, without one
day's delay, send to the State Committee a correct copy \
of their .whole ticket, giving plainly the name of each
candidate for every office. All this must be done to ena-:
blethe tickets to be prepared to send to'the several regi-'
went* of the State.
County Committees should also prepare-and send
with the Commissions their several county tiokets, or
send a special ageist with the“ Commissions to carry
then.
The Great Union Meetings.
The immense Union meetings, last night
are evidence of the unusual' interest the
great struggle has' aroused.;,’ Never was po
litical excitement more intense in Phila
delphia, and never was public order better
preserved. We are doubly proud of this,
for Philadelphia is a Union city, and the
enthusiasm of the thousands who thronged
Union League Hall and the Musical Fund
Hall, last night, leaves no room for doubt
that in the coming election her loyal ma
jority will be overwhelming. We publish;
full reports of all the meetings in the city;
yesterday, and it will be seenthat through- •
out the State the friends of the Union are:
active. At the grand meeting in Inde
pendence Square to-night every loyal citi
zen should be present.
I.ook to the Polls.
PhTuesday next we want a fair and a
full vote—-the truth, the whole truth, and
nothing but the truth—and with this we.
Shall be satisfied, whatever may be the re-;
suit. To secure a true vote, the friends of
the Union and fair play must spare no
energy or trouble. That efforts will be
made to poll false votes is unfortunately
too probable, for the Copperhead party is
in such a desperate condition that some of
its members will not hesitate at any vil
lainy which may promise to save it from
overwhelming defeat. ■ Hon. Simon Came
bon has reason to believe that the notorious
ballot-staffers of New York will be active
in Pennsylvania on Tuesday, and addresses
the following circular not only to Union
men, but to all who believe honest polities
indispensable to the prosperity of thp
people:
UNiOi; State Oentrai, Committee Rooms,
(No. IUS Chestnut street),
: Pnit,ADSI,I'HtA, Oct. o, isot.
TO THE PEOPLE OF PKNNSYLYANI A.
"We have received information which makes ns be
lieve that an attempt will be made by New York
.politicians to stuff the ballot-boxes In certainlocali
ties in this State. . V
Now, we call upon all Union men, and all other
persons who believe in fair dealing and honest
voting, to watch., detect, and have arrested
and brought to trial and punishment all who may
engage in any such villainous practice,
-The most certain preventive to frauds of this
kind is to have an outside tally kept at each elec
tion,poll. ■ , ■ 1
Bet this be done at every place.
Siarow Oamebost,
Chairman State Central Committee-
A. W. Bbstedict, Secretary.
We ask every impartial man wlio reads
Jeff Davis’ speech, printed in this paper,
' if it is not a -virtual confession that nothing
hut the success of the peace party can save
the rebellion from speedy destruction.
Those despondent words are doubly em
phatic on the lips of the arch-rebel, who
■confesses that nearly two-thirds of his
army have deserted the Confederate cause
THE PRESIDENCY.
THE GREAT UNION MEETINGS YESTERDAY
AN IMMENSE OUTPOURING OF THE PEOPLE,
A VAST CROWD AT UNION LEAGUE HALL.
ADDRESS BY MR. JOHN W, FOMEF,
THE REPUBLICAN INVISIBLES ADDRESSED
BY DR, WM, ELDER.
THE OPPOSITION AT CONTINENTAL THEATRE,
Air. John Tan Riircn’s Speech foi' McClellan
A LARGE. UNION MEETING AT?
HARRISBURG,
GOV. SEYMOUR AND DANIEL DOUGHERTY,
THE MEETING AT UNION. LEAGUE HALL.
Mr. .lobn W. Forney addressed tiio citizens or
Philadelphia upon the issues of the present political
canvass, at Concert Hail, last evening, la compli
ance with aninvitation of the Union League. The.au
, dicnce was very large, every.seat In the body of the
hall and updn the platform being occupied, and even
the aisles being fllljid. The utmost enthusiasm pre
vailed. The Satteilee Hospital band was in attend
ance, and upon atriking up the popular air, “ Rally
’ ’Round the flag,” the entire audience spontaneous
ly joined in the chorus, arid followed it with vocife
rous cheering. The scene was as inspiring as any
we have witnessed during the present campaign.
At eight o’clock Hon. Simon Cameron came for
ward to introduce Mr. Forney, which he did in a
few appropriate remarks., He said that it was al
most unnecessary for him formally to introduce a
gentleman so veil known to this audience as bol. .T,
W. Forney, [applause,] but he would take this
occasion to say that ho and Mr. Forney had
long been friends, and had known’ each other'
• intimately in Lancaster. Probably no other
man had labored so earnestly to promote the success
of the Union cause and of the principles which
underlie this cause, and had'his counsels been per
mitted to prevail with that bad old man, Buchanan
.'[laughter], the country might have been spared the.
. horrors of this desolating war. [Applause.] But,
'since it has’come upon us, we owe it to ourselves,-
we owe it to our fallen comrades, we owe it to poste-
J rity to bring it to a glotious?and honorable consum
mation ; and he trusted, in conclusion, that every
mother who had given up her son, every sister who
' had given up her brother, every wife who had given '
.upher husband, would endeavor by her influence
and counsel to strengthen, the cause of the Union
‘ for which they were fighting, and secure the elec-;
tion of the Union ticket on Tuesday, j Applause.]
\ SPaBOH OV MB. VOBUBV.
Mr. Forney then arose, and was receiyed with
continuous applause. Ho said :
Ladies akd Gentlemen : I thank you for the
warmth of this reception, and I gladly accept the ;
' opportunity afforded by the courtesy of the magnifi
cent organization whose hall I now occupy to bear
my testimony to iis energy, its loyalty, Its devoted:
and widespread patriotism. -[Applause.]M have'
been through many parts of tHis State, and every*;
where I havo seen the workings of your vast and
-beautiful system. Next to the Christian Church—
‘the loyal Christian Church—l know no agency that
has done more good for our cause. Isaythlsby
.’way of introducing some thoughts that have occur
red to mo as proper to bo said, and to acknowledge
the high obligations that I, in common with all good
men, owe to the Union League. [Cheers ]
Without examining into the question how this
war began, it is enough for us to know that we are
not the authors of it. The hearts of the Southorn -
conspirators were bo filled with malignity and arro
gance as to induce them to refase all the magnani
mous offers of the free States, and to incite them to
the destruction of the only political organization by
which their so-called rights had been maintained.
■ It is estimated that when the rebellion broke out
there were four millions of human beings in bond
age in the South; and It has been further estimated
-that at the end of the century this number would;
■ have been more than quadrupled. Let us Imagine
the condition of our country. With nearly twenty !
millions of slaves in the South, and a consequent
Anorease In the numbers and wealth of their owners,;
the foreign nations of the earth, now so anxious to
• see the Republic dismembered, assailing and mis
' representing our cause, because, in violation of our:
; professions. as a free Government, we continue to
told human beings in bondage—tell me, how ion
would it have been before a war far more bloody and
far more terrible than the present would havebroken
upon our land? Wo who have realized what the
education of the Southern slaveholders has been
since they have taken up arms against the flag ; we;
. who have seen how they;fight for slavery, and how,
‘ Insaiiateis their hatred of the may have
some idea of their strength at the end of two more
generations. It is not a violent assumption to say,
that having been strong enough to maintain a fierce
and fanatical war against free principles, with but
four millions of slaves, with twenty millions they ;
would hot only have overran the freo States but
have captured the Government itself. ; [Applause.]
And this.anticipation seems to be reasonable, when
we reflect upon the thousands of sympathizers with
. slavery in the adhering States, and attempt to esti
mate the additional thousands that would be ready!
to co-operate with it In such an event. In view of
this, I may regard it as a marked result of the war,;
that we have compelled the statesmen of other na
tions to recognize the main issue involved. It has
been the habit of these statesmen, and particularly
the men who govern Great Britain, to misrepresent
Bind degrade our war. The Earl Russell told us,;
In the beginning, that It was a contest for em-;
pire- that we had no.other object than national
aggrandizement. The London Times, speaking'
the yplse of mercenary, weaving and spinning Eng-;
land, Insisted that oar war was simply a question or
tariffs and that the South was in arms because we
desired to impose high duties upon iron, silks, and
cotton goods. Mr. Disraeli has never manifested
any special sympathy with.the North. The party
of which he is a distinguished leader Is against
America, and in the last Parliamentary struggle
made the present ministry’s apparent friendship
for Amejlaa ground of assault. This conservative
aristocratic, Tory Disraeli comes forth and declares
before a company of English gentlemen at an agricul
tural dinner, that our war is for an emancipation of a
race. I read an extract from his address at Ayles
bury, on the 21st of last September:
.-*J ’^J !e eriiaTicvpotjon of a race, the creation or the
of^sTcmuf t llndependence, 1 Independence, or the maintenance
neoni^n & Ar,wPil e ~ wh ?? eaus6s of tMs kind lead
ShW+w,® ■ r lnto war i they must not be confounded
cOTqmrath’ely small causes whlckhave
the generality of European wars in
Sis. e ™£ imca :,,. WhQn nations go to war to what
they,, call rectify a frontier, or employ an army,
these are causes necessarily of a brief duration, be
cause their frontier Is rectified or not, and the
army which wants to be employed has either a
sufficient number (hot or promoted, and peace
naturally takes place. But the issues in the Ameri
can. war are vast and profound, and It is not to be
supposed, when men enter Into struggles of that
kind, they will throw them aside like children tired
ofarew toy. Ithereforo have great hesitation In
believing—X cannot bring myself to believe—that
we are so near peace in America as Is supposed.
The fact Is that there are occasions when the desti*
nies of nations demand wars, when war Is the only
solution of difficulties which perplex the ordinary
means ofhuman wit. and the struggle in America
Is a war of this kind.”
When the Conservative opens his eyes and sees
the truth as Ml'. Disraeli sees it, and as the Radi
cals John Bright and Richard Oobden—[cheers]—
have proclaimed it from the beginning, we may
well' believe that tho people of: England have
reached a just conclusion in reference to our war.
When dogged, obstinate England thinks thutf It will
not be long before Europe follows her example.
[Cries of “That’s so,” and applause.] I mark this,
therefore, as one of the moat gratifying incidents
of the present contest. In a-war for ideas: It is
important that the sentiment of the world should
be right. [Applause.] Ido not mean by this that
we have the sympathy of the world j that, however
welcome it might be, Is an abandoned hope. But
we have the respect of the world, and a confession
that our war is a war for ideas. When wa have
taught foreign. Powers that grapes are not thistles—
that figs are not thorns—that our principles are
not questions of revenue and impost—when we have
- taught them the lesson that Mr. Disraeli stands up
before an English audience and frankly confesses to
havo learned—l may well gather new hope for our
country, its speedy triumph, and the: perpetuity
of the principles for which ,we are: contending
throughout the. whole world. [Loud cheers.] I
confess my amazement in this view of the case,
without considering other questions, when I realize
that a large class of our own people array them
selves on.theslde of slavery and against a txovora
ment struggling to save Itself. All loyal men were
unprepared to see the aristocrats of the South fight
ing as they have fought for their institutions. The
stupendous responsibilities they'assumed—the’ha
zards they encountered—were as apparent to them
selves as to us, and yet undaunted they grappled
with the Eederal power, and, as 1 have said, 1 have
stubbornly and desperately striven to maintain
their ground. But it was a subject of graver won
der that, realizing alike these hazards and re
sponsibilities, so large a class of .non-slaveholders
should have openly given their sympathies to the
rebellion. Now, nothing is so clear to my own mind
as the fact that General McClellan’s election to the
Presidency.will not. only make , slavery paramount,
Amt will necessitate a division and a sub-division of
*the Union—[A voice—“ He’ll kill the Republic!”]—
leaving the only concrete section that which rejoices
in slavery, and making of the flourishing and over
powering North ana Northwest a number of
separated principalities, each hating the other,
with intense political and personal animosi
ty. The election of General McClellan—what
ever he himself may Intend or say—however patri
otic he may claim to be—and I am willing to
admit that he has no design or desire to yield to the
enemies of constitutional liberty-? would be a decla
ration on the part of the Amef ican people in. favor of
a dishonorable peace and a . degrading disunion.
[Loud cheers.] It would be’ more than this.*
it would be an invitation to foreign . Powers
to intervene. And why should they not In-"
tervene when the American-people, fully aware
of their obligations in this tremendous struggle, de
liberately pronounce for a candidate who is
everywhere advocated by the friends of a hu
miliating surrender to slavery, beginning with
Fernando Wood and Vallanuigham fa hiss]
and ending with John Tan Buren and Hora
tio Seymour—a candidate In . whose behalf
there Is so much solicitude among the rebels
themselves that it requires all the efforts of their
sympathizers here to restrain the expression of their
wish that he may be triumphant. I believe that
the hope of the election of George B. MeOiellan is
stronger among the armed enemies of the Re
public than it Is among those who are not
armed—[A voice, “That’s true!”]—that It is a
more controlling element in ; the rebel army
than in the army of their Northern'sympathizers.
I may be answered that these Indications should be
considered in the light of peace with the Union, in
the event of Mr. .Lincoln’s defeat. The answer is
conclusive. While Mr. Lincoln is continually offer
ing peace with Union to the rebels [applause] j they
have never once indicated their willingness to accept
his proffers. Scarcely one of the leading men around
General McClellan has ever indicated any other de
sire than to destroy the present Administration,
and to give the supremacy to those who are
fighting against It. [Applause, and cries of
“True, irue!”] The rebels regard General Mc-
Clellan as their representative man in 'the
North. We all -know /that ho was a pupil
of Jefferson Davis, reared In his school, his favorite
and Ms friend while he Was Secretary of War. And
we also know that the organs of Davis throughout
the South daily appeal to the people to stand by
what Is called the Southern Confederacy until the
result of the Presidential election is known.
What better terms could General McClellan offer that
•would be acceptable to our enemies than have been
offered by Mr. Lincoln ? [Applause.] I answer no
terms bat the terms of separation; and these are
better only because they would be more acceptable-to
the rebels. We can best understand General
McClellan’s -relation to this vast subject
when we reflect that there Is. not a rebel in
arms and not a rebel unarmed in.any Of the South
ern States who has.not become .more defiant since
■his nomination lor the Presidency. At the moment
'lam speaking,the treasonable element in'the Dis->
trict of Columbia is nearly as insolent as it is in the
city of Richmond ; -and the-same- may be said of
Kentucky, Missouri,, and JMarvland, -This element
had to be restrained heretofore by force of arms.
These States have been held in the Union by the
strong hand of power; y et, notwithstanding the pros
perity whichhas resulted to all three; notwithstand
ing they have been • saved fronuflre and- sword- by
■Mr. Lincoln’s Administration, the Secessionists per
sist in their clamor as loudly against -him as if he
had' constantly and consistently oppressed them.
Passing through the.city of Baltimore a few days
ago, on my way to speak in Pennsylvania, this
thought was presented to my mind with startling
force. Baltimore never was so prosperous as at the
present moment. She reminded mo of Philadel
phia;.and on my journey to the town of York,
where I spoke night before last, I looked with de
lighted surprise upon the splendid mansions sur- ;
rounding the “ Monumental City,” and not only
surrounding it, but extending for miles beyond the
depot- Vast granite structures, recalling what‘l
had heard of tee English baronies, with magnifi
cent lawns, carefully preserved: villages smiling
with contentment and peace: hundreds of laborers
| engaged along the whole line. This, I said, is one of
! the evidences of Abraham Lincoln’s despotism , [Loud
cheering.] What a different picture would have
been presented had the theory of James Buchanan
and Jeremiah S. Black; been assented to by Mr.
! Lincoln. [A laugh,] The theory that while seces
sion itself was wrong, there was-no power in the
Government to resist it, or to save tho Government,
This city of Baltimore would have been laid in
ashes; Maryland would have become the Flanders
.of America; and fiom the Susquehanna to the Po
tomac, all over this Empire State of the’Sou'th, we
should have had nothing but a devastating, desoiat
*pg: war of firc and of blood. And the wavs of-con*
diet would not only have consumed the mate
rial prosperity of Maryland, but must Inevita-,
bly have rolled into the border counties of Penn
sylvania, , repeating with ten-thousandfold her
rors the burning of Chamberg&urg and the shell
mg of Carlisle. I have not seen’ Louisville or
St. Louis, but I know that which is true of Balti
more is also tree of them. In New Orleans,new,
, and healthy prosperity has taken the / place of the
. corrupt and decaying wealth that formerly grew
out of slave labor. [Applause.] Now, when the
people, North and South, who see these things, still.
ccntend that the Administration to which “we are
Indebted for them should be put down, why should
not foreign Powers Intervene In the event of the
election ,of George B. McClellan ! Tney pant to
, raise the blockade. They know that. there are
hundreds and thousands of bales of cotton'ready
to be sent to their markets-/and, also,-that
their ambitious designs in Mexico and Canada
• would be favored by the destruction of the Union. •
Observe that, while France has seated herself
among the divided States of Mexico, to make a
despotic Union there, England, heretofore so fear
ful-of consolidation in, .Canada, encourages the
union of the.Ganadian Provinces, and wishes to seat
a foreign prince on the new American throne; yet
both, with earnest and satanic industry, toil to di
vide the American Union. [Cries of “Never.”]
The honest friends of Gen. McClellan should think
ol there things, for I believe many thousands,
unless they do think, will give him their
votes, in November next, in the belief that he
would honorably terminate the war and “restore
tltW'u 02 ”,,- What sort of terms could General
hi SP-fwt <5 0r , lil , 0 , Southern rebels 1 Imagine
him about to. take his seat In • Washington, sur
rounded by such advisers as Mr. TaUandiuham
Sir. Wood, Btr. Reed, [hisses], Mr. Fits ;
ter, and Mr. Horatio Seymour, [Laughter.] Ima
;gme him entering the office of President and
dictating his new policy. [lronical laughter.] Wa
will suppose that the events of the war will be as
they are now. /The Union armies have possession
of a large portion: pf the Southern territory—our
..fleets still control the coasts—oilr ’ currency is still
healthy—our bonds are still ruling the market
-at Bremen and Hamburg. He must, adopt:
the doctrine of the Chicago platform, for his
election binds him to It. - [Cries of “ That’s
so.”] That platform tells us that the experience of
war .having ll failed,” there must be an: armistice.
We can imagine what the effect then would be by
the effect now. Of course there could be no cessa
tion of hostilitlesfthat did not imply a withdrawal of
our troops from all the Southern States, the suspen
sion dl the blockade, tie surrender of Memphis, and.
New Orleans, and. Knoxville, and Vicksburg! and’
Beaufort, In an instant this vast, depleted South-'
ern Confederacy, perishing from Inanition, with
famine In the fields and starvation on the hearth
stone, wouM suddenly have new blood sent through
its veins by the enormous supplies of European
goods that would enter the hungry ports of-
Charlestonf Wilmington, and Mobile. The aban
doned territory of Tennessee and Georgia, where
Union men are protected by our; armies, would’
•be at once overrun by guerillas,and every man who
had taken the oath of allegiance to our flagwould
be murdered, and his family.made homeless. The
plantations that are being cultivated in South
Carolina, and Louisiana, and wkick now supply
labor and broad to thousandsofpoor protected freed
men, would be resumed by their former owners, and
the men we have sworn to protect in liberty would
return to a bondage more appalling than before.
. This would be the beginning of the aroiistiw to ■
wards correcting the mistake of these “ four years
of failure.”. In other words, ali that we have gained
byfouryears of war, he would throw away, .[dries of
• * 5 It can’t be done.”] The second andfinal step ol the
armlßtlce would be the recognition of the Confede
racy, because, in the event of its proposal, tho South
would be strengthened Into new life, and tho North,
even giving an exaggerated idea or Its-resources -
oould hot be expected to begin a new war on the
same scale as that inaugurated in 1801: so that,"in
this proposition of the CMoago plat-’
form In a frank way, we find that, by the simplest
test of reasoning, it amounts to nothing more than
an abandonment of the warfor the Union and /the;
recognition of,the Confederacy as the .controll
ing power of the American continent. What
would tho new President do with the public
debt! Here is a question that interests every one
.within the sound of my voice. You. laboring man
with your hard-earned, and carefully-saved five
twenty-bond; you capitalist, with the resources of
/long years of genius. and thrift and toil locked away'
iu the national loan—yoii are interested in. this’
question. The new President, In repairing the mis
°* Mr. Lincoln’s “four years of failure,”
- ?uS,!„,'wT tanly repair his financial policy. He is
Eis d eTOAAt O o.Sf e th ®, « lib and hackneyed phrases of
starving - journals)—[laughter;
?« re<3 S 08 010 I )ric «s-of all eommo
: shan’be and 1 ariffs, so; that sugar
’ fhEv werE In n.A d ,i Va - ae l and tea and wines as
they were In the days of peace: This is a verv
pleasing prospect, and if it were in the poweref a
McClellan to realize it [laughter) I woulff reaard
him as having one good, argument in ihvnr iff n«
election. But themew President could onlyredeem-'
this promise by dishonoring and repudiating tiw’
debt. [Cheers.] Remove taxation’ and tariffs
and -you thus destroy, the sources of payment-the
means whereby you capitalist and you laboring
man are enabled to draw your semi-ahnualinterest
In gold. This Is the only way In which the new
President could keep hla promise. He certainly
would keep his promise, for he is.an honorable man
[laughter] ; and-therefore, my friends, upon Presi
dent McClellan’s honor would depend the money you:
have saved by years of genius and toil. Now, this;
may seem to be an extravagant argument, but I am,
merely following the logic of the Democratic writers.;
It is only doing General'McClellan and his friends:
the justice they ask to say that they would at once'
discard the debt which Mr, Lincoln's four- years of
Who ™t«l h «t!. 6cr ? atea!a ? a 1 therefore ask you
■!™S. If eeri «“l B i2 consider the financial pros
with Tvr t ff?iei?H A i^ nl3tratioft - Thns you see that,
f l ,,! 11 P° W6r > we could only have a
>oin§?« * d rebellion and a repudiation of Mr. Ltn-
S T fi . an ? la l P oll °y- How wlUitba with Abra
iuun-Xuicplii bi his new term 1 He has grown
with the nation and strengthened with its
strength. [Loud and long-continued cheering.]
lhe lessons of this time have not been lost upon
him, and their fruit will ripen. [Renewed cheers.]
He knows the people, and we,' the people,
know him. [Cries of “We love him,” and cheers.]
Ho has stood by the side of the patient during the
high burning agony of disease—he has saved life and
preserved strength—he has thoroughly learned each
part of the system—every vein, artery, and sinew.
Shall we now, in the time of convalescence, send the
physician away—[loud criesof “ No, no!” “ Never!”
ana cheers]—and oall in this New Jersey quack—
[laughter]—to trifle and experiment with the pre
cious life?" [Cries of “ No! no!"-] You know that
In a disease nothing is more dangerous lhan a re
lapse; and, under McClellan, I dread the relapse
of death. [Loud cheers.] Let us have Abraham
Lincoln for four years more—[long-continued cheer
ing]—his experience, his patienoe, and his cour
age, Let us have Grant, and Sherman, and Sheri
dan—[renewed cheering]—and no resuscitated and
expensive failures, whose military records may
he found in the court-martial archives of Judge Ad
vocate Holt. [Laughter and applause.] . Let us
have uncomplaining generals and patient admirals
[applause] who obey orders and do not presume to
give them, save to subordinates. Let-us have men
without re venges to appease at the expense of the pub
lie welfare, i [Applause.] Let us continue to have the
magnificent financial system of Mr. Chase [cheers],
and see if we cannot pay the debt we have honora
bly incurred; Let us have a peace bravely con
queredand justly made [cheers]—a peace with Union
—a peace with freedom [renewed cheering]—a peace:
which shall not bring with It the exaltation of Jef
ferson Davis and the recognition of his Confederacy.
This peace alone Abraham Lincoln can give. [Ap
plause.] Her has pledged himself to give it; his
army, his navy, his officials, his party are laboring
to gam it, and his triumph in November will be the
triumph of that peace. [Vociferous applause.]
It would seem, indeed, as If some wonderful hallu
cination had fallen upon what is called the Demo
cratic party ; and; in speaking of the Democratic
party, I do not speak of the men who are misled, but
ef the leaders who mislead them. Nothing seems
to soften their hatred of the ; Government. The
arguments in favor of prosecuting this war—the
fact that the war was precipitated by the slave
holders—that every effort was made, even by the
Republican party, to satisfy these -same-slave
. holders—these arguments and facts fall upon cold
and impassive hearts. And, as-if still further to
show, how much more they sympathize with
rebellion than with freedom, have ®you noticed,
that whenever a meeting Is called to raise money
for the families of our poor soldiers in the field, to
supply the needs of the women widowed and the
children - orphaned by the war,/«(i of : these leaders
ever make their appearance l As a striking proof of
this assertion, I refer you. to, the recent meeting
held in your own altyafter thb barbarous 1 burning
of Chambershurg by the Attila of the forces 5 of sla
very, an outrage unsurpassed in modern or’ ancient
warfare—a meeting was held at the Board of Trade
rooms In this city for the purpose of raising means
to assist the poor men and women turned out of
their homes by the chivalry of the South, and
not only, turned out ofthelr homes, but whose.hmoas
were burned before their very eyes; In other[days, If
a Southern townhAdbeen destroyed by accident, our
whole population would have arisen to supply and
relieve the sufferers. But at that meeting, balled
under circumstances of unparalleled Interest, not
a single Copperhead appeared [criesof “shame;”],
and but one recognized Democrat. And I mention
his name to his distinguished honor—John O.'Janies
-.[loßg.continuea cheering], had thecour&ge to show
his face. If you will contrast this studied neglect
of the humanities of the war; in other words,
if you will reflect upon the manner in which
the leaders of the party, who would unseat
Mr, Lincoln and the! Government itself, in Novem
ber, with the miserable cry, when they are remind
ed of their indifference to the cruel treatment of
our prisoners in the South, that this Is the result of
the refusal of the Administration to leave the negro
soldiers in chains and In-prison, and to exchange
only ;the whites, you realize how mueh sincerity
there Is in any of their professions. Keeping to
this same point, of the manner in which our
prisoners are treated in the South, let me say to
you that there are paroled soldiers in Philadel
phia at this moment, who, If their lips could
be unsealed, would give such, a description of
the savage atrocities, perpetrated upon our brave
men In prison as would excite the coldest heart,
and put aside all incredulity. - You have no doubt
read.thc remarkable publications of the Sanitary
Commission, [applause,] giving detailed accounts
of these horrors. When I was a boy. I was greatly
exercised by reading what was . called “Bellly’s
Narrative.” It turned out to bo a. fiction. It was 1
a book written by an’ American, who alleged that
he and a number of other Americans had been
thrown among; the Arabs, and who drew such a
picture ol the treatment of theso Captives as made
my young blood curdle. ‘ What was fiction in his
caseisrealityinours. [Applause.] The reports of the
Sanitary Commission, and the reports of the Com
mitteo on the Conduct of the War, will be read in
after days with surprise and Indignation. And
these reports, be it remembered, do not depend upon
partisan witnesses, and ha ve "not been made by par
tisans. - The Sanitary Commission IS not a partisan
organization, and the indictment of the Committee
on the Conduct of the War was signed by Republi
cans and Democrats. [Applause.] These things
alone should go to our people, and should be che
rished by them as so many, arguments 1 impelling
them to their duty.in October and November. In
considering the great question involved in s this
struggle, allow me to dwell, for a moment, on the
charge that the measures of Mr. Lincoln’s Adminis
tration have retarded the war, and have not only
retarded it, but have made lt-a failure. And here, I
think, General McClellan 1 may bo named as the
chief accuser [applause],, for after the battle of
Harrison’s Landing he wrote a most arrogant, que
. rulous, and presumptuous letter to President Lincoln,
in which, becoming a politician for the first time, he
also became the organ of those who were against the
Administration, and arraigned the President on the
same grounds that are now, so patent in the mouths
of the enemies of the Government. Day after day,
the charges started by General McClellan in this,
letter are rung by his followers, and yet, do you ob
serve that, notwithstanding these allegations, not
withstanding the complaints of the so-called Demo
cratic candidate for the Presidency, notwithstand
ing the criticisms of his supporters, we have had.more
victories since he hasretire&fromthc command than ever
before. [Long-Continued cheering.] Admitting that
these measures were-hurdensome, oppressive, uncon
stitutional, it would seem-that bur armies have nTot
felt them to be burdensome, or oppressive, or un
constitutional; that they have fought and won
either because of or in spite of them. Observe,
furthermore, that not .a single victorious general
has ever Indulged in the querulous censures and
whining of General McClellan and his friends. -If
I had the timej-I would present a contrast- between
the letters of the victorious Grant—[applause]—
and the victorious Sherman—[renewed applause]
and the letter of unvlctbrlous-General McClellan,
to which I have referred. These two states
men—heroes like Admiral Farragut—[cheers]—the
great Yon Tromp of modem times—see no dis
tinctions, between the enemies of the old flag.
, They do not select among the men who are opposed
to the Government, and when Grant and Sherman
write, they write not only with their pens, but with
their swords. [Loud obeers.] Why, ladies and
gentlemen, the experience of this war 13 the most
marvellous in human history. Rebellion broke
upon us like an unexpected tornado. Those who
brewed It knew that it was not anticipated by those
who had to resist It, but found'the nation defence
less, the Government betrayed and deserted, and the
resources, which are the vitality of a people, diverted
into the channels of treason, while the new incumbent
in the Presidential chair, constitutionally elected,
found himself without an army or a navy, and
almost without a treasury.' And yet; from that pa
rted to the present,"obstacle after obstacle has had
to he Burmounted, and the measures deemed radical
at first were, found too moderate at last, until now
we stand before the civilized world,,with all* the
loyal States protected, with the finest and largest
army on .earth, and-with such a navy—as in the
event of our certain triumph it must be—the most
formidable and perfect military maritime organiza
tion in the world." [Cheers,] The radical mea
sures of Mr. Lincoln’s Administration are sold
to have retarded the vigorous prosecution of
lhe war. "What do you .suppose General-Jackson
would have done hao he founds himself in the posi
tion occupied by James Buchanan, when the conspi
rators would have destroyed the Republic 1 What
would he have dona with slavery the moment that
he discovered that slavery was the feeder and almo
ner of the rebellion? First of all,' he would have
hung the men who originated this foul conspiracy
'[loud cheers]; and, secondly, he would have abo
iiehed the entire institution of slavery—[long
continued applause]—not only by a proclamation,
but by our fleets and our armies. The Demo
cratic party has never hesitated to take the
most radical and extreme measures when
the occasion demanded; and the very men—and in -
this I do not speak of the old Whigs who now-have
charge of the Democratic organization—[laughter]
—who are- complaining of the so-called unconsti
tutional acts of Mr. Ltncoln’3 Administration, were
themselves in the fore-front among the approvers
and applauders of Gen. Jackson’s refusal to obey
the decree of Judge Hall: of the forcible Belzure of
Cuba, if Spain refused to sell it torus; of
the previous annexation of Texas ; and, if I may
be permitted to refer to it, of the bold and.fear
less manner In which he dictated lhe over
throw of the United States Bonk, If Mr. Lin
coln had not acted upon what is called the decisive
policy, he would have been unworthy of his posi
tion [applause and cries of “ That’s so!”] and the
rebellion would have prevailed. But I contend that
-Mr. Lincoln is in no Bense what is called a radlcal
man; on the contrary, he is conservative—conserva
tive ia-the regard that he does not hesitate to op
pose what are called exacting men of his own party,
and to welcome, what are known as the patriotic
men pf other parties. The truth is that all the diffi
culty he has had from his .own political friends has
grown out of his refusal to comply with their peculiar
personal demands , upon him. And while I honor
them all, beginning with that noble specimen of
humanity, old Ben Wade [applause]; while I honor
them all for having accepted the alternative, and
having put behind them their own griefs for the
purpose,of maintaining the common cause, yet I
assert,that it is one of the chief-claims of Mr. Lin
coln to the support of the American people that he
could rs6and before and hold back for a-while these
hold and able men and adheie to ills own policy—
[applause]—not a fixed policy, because in a war
with our own flesh and blood, with our own hone
and marrow, that which may be regarded as right
to-day "may have to be changed to-morrow—but a
policy, which acted upon this idea; -a policy
inspired by this idea. Thus he has had a standing
offer of peace to the rebels. Mr, Lincoln is not one
of thosewho adhere to a single idea, and who, like
Dr. Sangrado, because he had written his book to;
treat his patients in a certain way, refused' to alter
his theory, although his patients died. [Laughter
and applause.] He adapts himself to the inevitable
circumstances of the hour. He is for the Union
with slavery or without slavery, and while he never
Will return a freeman to slavery [cheers], I believe
that he will gladly welcome the South back to the
Union, upon the basis of paying.them for all their
slaves [applause], if they agree to abide by the old
covenant. It is unjust to say that his measures have
been radical, butlt is true to say that they have been
necessary. [Applause.] He has not acted upon a.
theory, but upon a fact.. What he has done has not
been because he has studied It out in books, but be-■
cause he has read it in the grim and terrible expe
riences of war. And strange to say, the most ra
dical men of bis own party have, at last, come to
tills belle/, and the most conservative of other par
ties have, in a certain sense, become the most radi
cal. lam very confident, ladles and gentlemen, of
our complete triumph in PennsylvanAon Tuesday
next, [loud cheering, which continued several mi
nutes,] but it Is right.to be frank when I tell you,
every man and woman in this audience must do his
and her best to secure this triumph. [Cheers, and
cries of r “ We will.”] I have never known so much
religious enthusiasm en the part of the friends of
the Government as to-day. In all I have seen and
heard during the present canvass tills"sentiment
has been patent and uppermost. And when I reflect
upon the amount of good that can be accomplished'
by the Radies of the land—[applause]—upon the
. amount of the good they have done: upon their
sacrifice for the cause of the 'Republic, in giving
their sons, and brothers, and husbands to the
armies; upon their heroic constancy in the hospi
tals [cheers.] —and in the ten thousand cha
ritable associations which constitute one of the won
ders of the war —I lcel inexpressibly encouraged
in the belief, if they will aid the good cause; In
other words, if they will Impel those who are not
fighting,, ana over whom they have, influence, to
support the candidates of the Union party on Tues
day next, that we shall undoubtedly succeed, by a
tremendous majority. [Renewed enthusiasm.] And
the same may he said, only -with stronger emphasis,
of the vast interests that must be destroyed, should
the Union cauße be defeated—the interests of
finance, of religion, of society—the interests Of corpo
rations, Of railroads,of banks, and of every other con
ceivableandinconeoivable Interest. And yet, with all
IheEe influences at work, it is a sad and a stern fact
that never at any period have the enemies of the
Union been more active. They seem to be infu
riated. Every Union victory dispirits them; every
Union defeat fills them with exultation. A letter ;
which I received this morning from a distinguished
gentleman in Maryland tells me that the Union
men of that State earnestly and hopefully look to
Pennsylvania, and begs that Tor God’s sake .we,
will not let the old Keystone slip out of the Federal
arch. [Cries of “Never!” “She’ll stand true,"and
cheers.] Now, while I solemnly believe that foreign
Powers, in their anxiety to break the blockade,and to-'
secure the destruction of the Republic, have sent
millions to effect the election of Gen. McClellan,
Jam equally well convinced that all the money In
the world and “all the wealth of Ormns and of
ind” could not overthrow this Republic. [Loud
cheering.] It is right— lt our duty to be oa
THE PBESS.—PHILADELPHIA, SATURDAY, OCTOBER 8, 1864.
THE MEETING AT MUSICAL FUND HALE.
A highly appreciative and intelligent audience
assembled at the Musical-Fund Hall last evening,
on the occasion of a .lecture, on the issue of the day,
by Dr. William Elder, a well-known orator and dis
tirgulshed citizen of Philadelphia. Upon being in
troduced he was received with great applause
which, bavtog subidea, he spoke as follows :
SPKKCIt OV Dlt. ELDER, V .
. The orator of the evening commenced his remarks
by a reierpnee to the importance of the great issue
ot the day—in which wob contained all otlfer issues—
the maintenance of the Union of the Stater He
them reviewed the proceedings of the Convention
which framed the Constitution of the
and particularly the position of those membeis
took a prominent part in the deliberations of that
Convention. He continued: ' ;
The Congress of the Confederacy, sitting at New
York, having adopted the Constitution, sent it bv
.an express messenger to Philadelphia, at which
place it was received within twenty.four hours The
Legislature of Pennsylvania had-resoived to ad’iourn
on the day succeeding that On which'this document
reached them, and itwas feared that by reason oftheir
adjournment a delay of one year would be Una
voidable before that Constitution could bo sub
mitted to the people of the State. But they hurried
it through the Legislative halls, and its opponents,
consisting of such men as William Findlav of
Westmoreland, {no relation to the Fihdlay who
was subsequently Governor of Pennsylvanial
Whitehill, of Lancaster,’and others, whose 'names
the world will very willingly let die, were astounded
and paralyzed In view of the rapidity and zeal with
which the measure was carried through the House.
But we will go further into the .history of those
day s. George Mason, of Virginia, In the Conven
tion which considered the Constitution, declared
thathe would suiter his right hand to drop from
his shpulder before he would put his name to that
document. This was the language of the grand
father of the fugitive slave law. James Biadison,
thena young man and scardely known,, but after
wards universally recognized as the great ex
pounder of the Constitution, and John Marshall,
were the main supporters of the constitution in
t irgtnla. The herculean labor, of - counteracting
the prejudices of the people or'Virginia was
mainly undertaken by Marshall. They -were*
sustained, and finally the question of the adoption
..of the Constitution was carried in the affirmative by
a majority of ten in a poll ,of about two hundred
votes. Audit is with a feeling- of exultation and
pride that we view the position of Alexander Hamil-i
ton. Among the delegates from New York his is
the onlyname to the document. Yates and Lansing
were his associates, but they retired from the Con
vention in the middle of its deliberations, and went
home to protect against; and array .their state in
opposition to it. George Clinton,; afterwards Vice:
President, then Governor of, the State, threw the
whole weight of his Influence against it. But • their
are times when the divinely-inspired and divinely
empowered come under the category of those of
whom it is said “ one shall chase a thousand and
to’ o Put ten thousand to flight.” Livingstone and
Hamilton were there. ■ The Convention consisted of
forty-six men pledged to reject the Constitution,'
and twenty-three In Its favor. Hamilton and
Livingstone went into that Convention with the
odds of two to one against them, yet, notwithstand
ing this fact and the opposition of one Melanethon
Smith, the leader of the opposition party,' the Con
stitution was finally adopted by a majority of three
votes. The speaker narrated at length the circum
stances connected with the adoption of the Consti
tution, and the proceedings of the Convention or
ganized for, that purpose. Jle then said : Is it pos
stble that we, in this day, shall wrangle over trivial
matters, while. tUe maln question is at issue before
the people ? We. hear from some men that the pre
■ sent Administration, on whose re-election depend
the permanency of our success and the safety orour
condition, have violated the Constitution in innu
merable ways. These allegations come from the
mouths of those who have solemnly averred that
that Constitution did not, present-any means by
which it- could he preserved—[applause]—that it
did not contain in any provision a liie-preserv
ing power. Their complaint is that the men who
are endeavoring to maintain that Constitution are
violating it. They are willtag to yield to the spirit
of discord, secession, and revolution all that it asks,
and allow it to accomplish all the mischief in its
power; and yet they still profess to regard and reve
rence tbatvery Constitution for which we are strug
gling. But this rebellion,ls not without precedent.
There were thirty, three States in the Union when
cne-third of them were supposed to -secede. It re
minds me that when the dragon made his secession
from the upper world he took one-third of the stars
of the heaven with him. Now; we must not be un
worthy of our .sires, nor scruple at the cost of t his
war., It may be that our patience has sometimes
flagged;.but if we,could see the result of a pro
longailon of this strife, I have no doubt we would
be abundantly gratified. I believe.that If those
rebels who have made war on the Government had
been reconciled in the beginning, they would have
been brought back with slavery and the institutions
of former days, and we would bo compelled to’
undergo the same troubles ana difficulties that we
have a Heady repeatedly undergone. Before the war
broke out I was wining to conciliate; that is, I
would not have required any of the States to surren
der their institutions, though I would never have
. consented to the spread of their pestilence nor the
insolence of their domination. I did not feel called
upon to invade the South in order to free the slave,
though I knew the poison was rankling there. The
Administration took this view: and there never
would have been a negro soldier had the battles of
the first year settled this great struggle. But' if I,
now read the signs of the times aright, I gratefully
accept the prolongation of the war. Hamilton was
twitted for having assented, as a member of the Con
vention to Iramolhe Constitution, to. the proposi
tion embracing the property representation of the
slaves in Southern States ; that is, the three-fifths;
representation. He answered'in all good con-;
science (and If, ever there was a downright, uncom
promising Abolitionist, it was 1 he,) that without It
we could not have had , a Union ; that the Union
could not have been formed , without that conces
sion. And now, after, a lapse.of . seventy-fiveyears, ‘
we find that the Union cannot be heldjtogether
with that.concession.; [Applause;] ;
[The speaker was here Interrupted by thb arrival 1
of the Republican Invincibleß, who entered the hall
in large numbers; and were "enthusiastically re
ceived.] --■■■'-■' ■ ■■ ■
Slavery has ever exercised a maiigninfluehce upon -
the Government. When Hamilton was a member :
of Washington’s staff, he had occasion to direct the'
attention of the Commander-in-chief to the fact that
the Southern States had sot filled the quotas of
troops assigned them, and then suggested that
they should: make up the deficit by sending
their slaves to the battle-field. On this sub
ject he says: “Notwithstanding the pleasure
and. honor which I . experience'in being a
.member of your, family, (meaning the staff of the
Commander-In-Chief), I would willingly take the
command of a body of such troops, In the confidence
that they would bear themselves upon the battle
field with credit, against any troops to which they
might be opposed. I make It an indispensabla:oan
aition. of course, that they receive their liberty with
thoir .swords.” , 'Washington -replied that the sug
gestion was impracticable. One reason was that
the slaveholders, did not want to part with, their
property, and another was that the employment of
the slaves in the army might produce disquietude
among the slaves at home. And'thus this sarno
malign influence has, exercised a control of the
■ Government fromthat day to "this. Having for
some time been : conversant with at least one de
partment of this Government, I think I may say,
without exaggeration; that heretofore the Govern
ment has been administered solely in the interests
of slavery, and that, we were completely under the
tyranny of -King Cotton. Upon the breaking
out of the war scarcely one man in this nation
knew anything of our domestic relations,' or
could do more than conjecture the extent and na
ture of our ;resource«. Independent" "of the South,
The only documents from which: any information
was to be derived on these points were railroad re
portß'and reports of boards of trade. 1 From this do
mination I believe we are now-permanently deli
vered. There was a time when I could not have
been Induced to believe that a Yankee would ever
pull a trigger upon a Southerner, or that the slave
holding power would dare to fire upon the flag. But
.that has now come to paßs, and it is my,firm belief
that this people will now insist that the demon of
slavery .shall’,be,exoTCißed,’.,lf, However, such a
•peace Is constructed as implies a violation of the
faith of the nation to the black men who have fought
”on ourbattle-flelds, I will he willing to' turn Indian
and.remove io the Northwest. [Great aoplause.]
If, however, reconstruction could be accomplished
With any, compensating' return for the expen
diture of so|muoh*blood and treasure, I would 1
not Insist on my own opinions, but cheer
fully succumb to the good of the whole people.
The debt of the Government is a mere bagatelle
in the grasp of our country.' [Applause.] The
speaker now referred to the former debt of England,
when even Adam Smith himself expressed great
doubts whether that Government could survive it;,
he was decidedly of the opinion that it could not
stands much larger debt, and must sink under
the weight of it, ’ and yet this great poli- i
tical economist, and author lived to sec the
debt thieo times as heavy, and the Govern
ment better off than it was belbro. The
.speaker, had hooks, papers, ■ letters, volumes
upon volumes, all filled with a-continual howl
about the debt of England; yet England' sur
vived it all, notwithstanding Tray, Blanch, and
Sweetheart joined in a long-continuediyell, when
England .emerged fromthe war with' Napoleon the'
debt was forty cents on the dollar; but, under the
rising influence of the wealth of the country, the'
burthen of the debt was soon reduced. The debt of
England now is about four thousand millions, or
about eleven per cent, on the value of the property.
The debt of the United States-is lessthan two thou
sand millions at the present time. The! rebels and
their sympathizers set upa howl about the enormous
debtor the country! that it must sink. They proudly
assert that the expense of the Government is three
millions ;ser day, when they know they tell a lie. It
is aHe of malignity and treason, and ,-he had. no
words'sufficiently strong to condemn it. [Gfeat
applause.]. In conclusion, the, speaker exhort
ed the people to stand by: the Government—to ;
stand by the graves of the heroic, slain-in battle,
and resolve to redeem the country from"' the foul
demon of discord, and remember that .it is an im
possible thing to estimate the value of-anything
particularly,like that of this Government, which fi
above all value. The distinguished speaker here re
tired amid great applause. : , " ,
SPEECH 02* DAYID PAUL BROW2F, ESQ. !
■That distinguished orator, David Paul Brown,
Esq., having accompanied Dr. Elder to: the Hall, 1
was loudly called for,and in response thereto he
delivered, an extempore address, during which he
was loudly and enthusiastically applauded. He
said that he really did not come to the Hall to-night;
to make a speech, but rather as a listener, and he
was glad to say that he had been.hlghly entertained
by the speech of Dr. Elder. There; Is a time t%
speak and a time to be silent, and he thought, after
such a great speech as had just been' delivered,:
that he ought to be silent. [Shouts oi “No ; give;
us a, speech,”) Well, continued the speaker, i
“I am born for your use and mustobey, and,as long
as you insist, I must say. something.” . The distin
guished gentleman: now delivered a very happy
speech on the present and future prospects of the’
country, Its inexhaustible resources, its gigan
tic power to defend itself, and still continue to,feed,
whenever It may be nccessary,-the famine-struck
people of the Old World. Our ships, bearing aloft the
glorious stars and stripes, have been freighted with
the substantial necessaries of life, even since the pre- -
sent calamitous; and dreadful *war commenced,
and sent on their voyages'of mercy to foreign
lands. [Tremendous applause.] Though we havo
a war foreigners seek our shores, like thousands be
fore them, and, of all persons in the-world, they
ought to be the last to forsake the Government that
fed them abroad, and now feeds thenfhere. [Re-;
newed applause;] .They, should bothe vary first to ;
assist In the great struggle for .nationality; [Ap
plause.] They, should not doubt the power ot the
Government, for he who doubts is already half
a traitor. The speaker now proceeded; at consider-'
able length, to: advert to the Union, estimating It'
above all value, and, in conclusion, reminded. thei
audience that in two or three days a decisive blow
would have to be struck, and all should remember
that as goes Pennsylvania, so go the other loyal;
States. [Tremendous cheers.]; The keystoqe of,
the arch must bo kept In its .position of loyalty
to the Union. [Applause.] Let Philadelphia do
its duty, and all will be right. [Applause.]
New York is called the Empire;City, lot'lt be so;
Philadelphia is the Union City and nothing else.
[Great applause.] We are a President-making
city ; we are not only able to make them, but give
them-most, loyal.support.;: [Renewed"cheers.] If
ever the people wore called upon to support .a Pre
sident,; they are called to .support Abraham Lin
coln now in the hour, of our country’s need.
After a few more remarks of a patriotio character
the speaker retired amid great enthusiasm;
HALL OF TILE KEYSTONE CLUB—EAR(tE
DEMOCRATIC MEETING— SPEECH BY
JOHN VAN BTJREN.
The Continental Theatre, now the hall of the
Keystone Democratic Campaign Club, was orowil
ed last night, the ladles forming a fair portion of
the audience. The speeoh of the evening was deli
vered by John Yan Buren, Esq., of New York.- He
onr guard incessantly and vigilantly; but, la
dies and gentlemen, there are some things whloh
cannot' he accomplished. To us the simile of
the Infamous Judah F. Benjamin, since so sig
nally illustrated In hts own career, Is a self-evident
truth, that “the men who attempt to crush this
Union are like silly Indians who shoot their arrows
at the sun In a vain desire to extinguish it ” r Ap
plause.] In this holy faith I rest my heart and
repose my hope. [Uoud and long-continued cheer
ing, amid whloh the speaker retired.]
Mr, Briggs, of New York, followed in an elo
quent and effective speech, after which the great
meeting adjourned. _
'was introduced by Colonel MoCandloss, the presi
dent of the elub, and .was received with uproarious,
long-continued applause; once subsided, It was re
newed again and again. The shouts, cheers, and
shrill whistles were accompanied by'the excited
gesticulations of the hundreds engaged in the
uproar and the fluttering of the handkerchiefs
ot the ladies. The whole made up a scene
that must have been very grateful to Mr. Van Ba
ron. Silence restored,.Mr. Ym Buren jnade a few
introductory remarks about the deep solicitude he
felt in the issue of the present contest; his gratifica
tion at the spirit and numbers of the Democracy in
Philadelphia,and his belief that the days of President
Lincoln’s Administration were numbered; and said
that, to use the language of Mr. Lincoln in a recent
letter to-Mr, Blair, “the time had come!”. [Laugh
ter and applause.] He proposed to entertain them
at no great length, with some remarks, not original,
but such as he dare say nearly every one of them
had already heard, in regard to the conduct of this
. Administration and its treatment of the people of
the States which are to take part in the next Presi
dential .election. Other speakers were to follow
him, who, he was happy to say, were better calculat
ed to instruct and amuse them, but hecould not deny
himself the pleasure of malting a few suggestions,
a few views of the present condition of the country.
Now we were engaged in a war which has lasted
some three years and a half, which-has brought the
country ah enormous debt, and has causecla vast
destruction of life. It was still continuing, and at
its termination, which must come sooner or later,
we wouid flnd a peace which would bring to us grief
and anguish. But sad as this is, there are other ;
questions. Was the continuance of the war a
tma tter of necessity 1 Was it prosecuted with vigor,
ability, wisdom, and patriotism ? Was it not pro
tracted for partisan or political purposes 1 Was It
not made far log-roiling schemes, and marked by
gross incapacity? [Applause ] When the Presi
dent camo into power we had $65,000,000. The
Secretary of the Treasury now apprises us
that.we are in debt $2,000,000,000. [A voice—
s4,ooo,olo,ooo.] If the taxes and the legiti
mate claims made against the treasury were re
cognized, if the unpaid creditors • were satisfied,
it would reach $4,000,000,000, as my friend has said.
; Add to that the money expended in every ward,
; county, and township, and we have an enormous
accumulation of debt, necessary. If you please, for
bounties to volunteers and other expenses con
nected with the war, all independent of municipal
and county taxation. We have a war in.which there
is now a daily expense of three millions of dollars,
and we have an army hard on to a million, sup
■ ported and provided from day to day by taxes paid
by you and I. For the last three years the debt has
accumulated at the rate of a thousand millions a
year, at least, and if there is not a change of Admin
istration it will continue to Increase at least as
rapidly in the future. [A voice—“ We will have
that.”] I hope so. Now, remember the war has not
been prosecuted for the general good. Politics, and
not patriotism, has been the distinguishing feature.
-The information given to the Government at th 9
outbreak of the war, concerning the military mea
sures required, given by wise experience, only have
resulted in blundering, from the fourth of March,
1861, tonhe present cay—in a vast destruction of
life, and an enormous accumulation of debt. Yet
he, who is the source- of all this. Is modestly pre
sented to us for another four years’ lease of power.
[Laughter.] They were no doubt all familiar with
the letter addressed by Lieutenant General Scott,
to the President, on the 4th of March, 1861,' in
which he apprised the ’President that it required,
for the prosecution of this war, an army of 250,000
m en; that it would necessarily occupy two or three
years ; that it would require $250,000,000 a year ex
penditure before it could be brought to an
end. No attention was paid to it. 75,000 -men
were called out, the riot act was read to the South
[laughter], warning them to disperse [renewed
laughter]; we were assured that the war would be
over In sixty days, and the President gravely de
clared that “nobody was hurt;” [Great laughter.]
Mr. Seward, on the banks of the Mississippi, was
shoutiDg there at the top of his voice, at, of; course,
a reasonable distance from the seeneof danger. He
dies out: 11 Who’s afraid 7” [Great laughter and
applause.] I was afraid [laughter and applause],
for I had realized what would be the result. Now, •
there had been born, by this war being commenced,
a desire to be near no danger from the enemy.
G'eorge B. McClellan [cheers] was put at the head
of t£e army, and called upon to furnish a plan of
campaign. He did furnish it, and entered upon it.
Now, whal did he see. He thought it was aspecimen
oi themlserablemahagementoithis Administration.
From that time up to this day, no effort seems to
have been spared to embarrass him. Ifit were their
object to destroy McClellan, and not the rebels,
they have made a struggle by which they hive won
for themselves great credit. [Laughter.] But what
can be accomplished without “ our’ aid 1 Now the
“time is come” when we are to discuss that subject.
Now, when Gen. McClellan started for Richmond,
. he had under him three corps d’armee, from: which
were withdrawn, before the close of the campaign,
the divisions of Generals Wool, Blanker, and Mc-
Dowell. They were all taken from him when he
was in the act of battle with the enemy, on his way
to Bielimohd. In defiance of this, he arrived nearer
to Bichmond In July, 1802, than Grant is to night.
I might say, as a distinguished gentleman said:
“ He came asnoar to Ricfimondas the rebels have
been to Washington since that time.” For what do
you suppose this was done? I have yet to show
you that it was done somewhat for the protection of
the sacred person of the President, and partly
because the capital was in jeopardy. But
this was needless, since the rebels never
would have -taken: him he was more useful
to them where he is; [laughter and ap
plause] ; and partly beeauso General McClellan’s
policy and his victories might gain him confidence •
irom the people, and Abraham’s lease for four years’
of power m the capital would be In danger of not
being renewed. [Laughter.] He desired to destroy
the leading military man by being governed by the
the action of the Administration. What else has
been done? He has kept up a steady, trade of swap-:
ping horses. [Laughter ] The President says this:
is not the time to swap horses. There is an election
. near, and he modestly tells the people to hold on to
him even if a better horse should present himself
and tempt them to let him go. Why, he.has done,
nothing but swap himself.: He swapped McClellan
for Pope, and Bull Bun’s fatal field followed. Then
he exchanged Pope for McClellan. Then followed
the splendid victory of Antietam, [Applause,]
This was the only good exchange ha ever: made.
Then he exchanged McClellan for Burnside, -Then
followed the bloody reverse of Fredericksburg.'
Then Burnside for Hooker, and Chancellors*
ville was the result of that trade. : Hooker
gave way to Meade, and Bleade" to Grant. ,Thts
theory of changing and superintending; the
officers of the army did not satisfy Idm, so he must
make changes in the Cabinet. He' swapped
Chase for Fessenden and Blair for Dennison. But
■ I think the most extraordinary dtoings of the Presi
dent are his epistolary efforts. [Laughter.] Tired
of swapping, he .writes letters, and he is determined
to make this change'most extraordinary. Inhis
letter to Mr. Blair he tells him that he Is the best 1
-and most intimate and most trusted friend that he ?
ever had in the world. He tells Mm that he was
the best officer that was oyer connected with, the -
Administration. He’ has hot a ,word cTcomplaiht
to make against him. We would suppose, as a
necessary consequence, that he would retain such a
man forever. But-no; he tells him,-instead, “it
wduld be a relief to me if you would go.” [Great
laughter and; applause;]. A relief to part with
a most,trusted friend—with the best offioer-he
evor had about him, with not a single com
plaint to make against him ! [Uproarious Taugh
ter.] It has been publicly rumored, too, that he is
about to swap Stanton for Banks, but that may not
be true, for surely there is nobody of so small-value
as to be swapped for Stanton. [Laughter.] Now,
I think the argumen t of swapping is against him.
What further has he done in the course of the prose
cution of the war? Yon all recollect as well as Ido
that, at the outbreak of the rebellion, there was ho
diversity of sentiment in the country but a steady de
, termination to put It down. In the city of New: York
a meeting assembled at UDion Square. Every man
there was united—whether he was-of a . political :
party or not—and energetic in his determination to
support the Government and to behold the Union
preserved. What has produced the present change?
In my bumble judgment, the leading measures and
the extraordinary proclamations- oi the President
. have produced the, change. These proclamations
by which the freedom-of the slaves was ..asserted
against constitutional law, and not only the
freedom of the Blare within his power, but also
all those who may have been likely to come within
the power of hts armies, though not by his own.
What was4he effect of these proclamations? They
divided the North instantly, and united the South
just as instantly ; in: their consequences giv
ing strength ana union to those who hated the Ad
ministration, iand taught the States not yet in
rebellion to rebel. These were acts of the Ad
ministration which wanted in wisdom. Without
constitutional authority such a - measure ;was calcu
lated to, prolong and intensify the troubles of the
country; Again, when there was nothing to work
on in the war he found that somebody-must ;be ar
rested. These arrests- caused exasperation at the
North. They were made in a manner unknown
to us. At; the time, whatever may have been
thought of the propriety of the conduct of the war,
these arrests, followed up hy-consigning his -prison
ers to FortgLMayette and Fort Warren, from wMch v
they were subsequently discharged'by Mr. Dix or
others, or by the superintending officers of the
.forts, surely , exercise un favorable influence upon
our opinions of him. He took just such a course as
would exasperate the Northern people and prolong
the war, and produce division and dissension
here. To these were added acts of- confiscation
without number of the property of those who were
just as loyal as those who thus acted, and
quite as patriotic.: as any in; or out of the armies
who assisted in the prosecution of the war.
Newspapers were seized, their editors confined in
prison, or their publication suspended., In the city
of New York this was done to the only two Demo
cratic papers in the city. The same thing was done
mtbiscity. ' There' was ho occasion Joranyoneof
these acts, no wisdom in these exercises of authori
ty on the part of the President, which served clear
ly to produce exasperation in.the North. And now,
iellow-cittzens, this Administration, wMch has boa!
guilty of these acts, has reached, as I have said, near
to the close of its term. [Applause,] I believe, and
everybody should bear me witness before-proceeding,
that these arrests have been confined solely to
■Democrats, ■ [Assent.] Now Ido not mean to say
there have not been individual instances where an
arrest was; justifiable ; but a Republican can say
what-he pleases, anytMng he likes, against the
President of thef United States.' There is Fremont
He has denounced the President Severely In that
letter, of his—his letterof acceptance. [The speaker v
here quoted an extract from the letter asserting that
the war had been prosecuted with neither vigor
nor success ; that outrages had been committed on
personal liberty ; that the Administration wanted
honesty and firmness of purpose, &c.] What'a
. task Mr. Fremont undertakes in marking out the
course he himself has pursued. [Laughter.] And
again: I have taken occasion' to say that Mr.Hn
coin has manifested a want of capacity. Now, Ido
.not insist that the President should be a.military
; man; that is not necessary, but if ever there was a
: time in the history of the country when such ’
a President was required, this is exactly the
time. But though . I do not say that a
mililaiy .man is necessary, yet if ho is a ci
vilian, I would like to see him conscious of his
military ignorance and not claim the sole right i
to conduct military operations.[Applause and
rlaughter.] Mr. Lincolnj lt can .be very truly
said, is not a man of any great military capacity.
[Laughter.] But totally regardless of this, the
general impression, he has another opinion of him
self. He concluded to take charge of the armies of
the Untied States, and conduct the military opera-'
tions from the President’s house, hundreds and
thousands of miles from where he stands. 'I
do, not think, on the whole that the history of
military operations during the rebellion corres
pondswith the extraordinary method of conducting?
them,.or with the extraordinary matters laid down
in the letters of the President, or genoral orders, to
McOlellan, when he took Command, and he (Lin
coln) took charge of the prosecution of the war, 'I
will take the liberty of reading to you one or two?
orders-one or two of his letters~in order that vou
may exactly understand, the; skilful propriety and
Ingenuity of “ Plan.” [Laughter.] He started
With a “plan,” Feb. 3d, 1862. The speaker then quo
ted from the letter of the President to Maj. Gen. Mc-
Clellan, speakiDg of a plan for the capture of Rich-;
mon.d, in which the President said his plan would
be to attack Richmond “by way of the Chesapeake,;
the Roanoke river, and the Rappahannock, atthe
terminus of the York river railroad,” and tiro
pounded to McGtellan the following questions: “If
you give answers to the following questions, wo may
be’ able to decide between my plan and -yours.”;
These questions the speaker read with a peculiar'
emphasis and intonation that excited great laugh
ter.
“ Does not.your plan involve: a greater expend!-
tore of time and money than mine?' 1 [Laugh-'
ter.]- - -r'
Eaeh of the fivo fincstions were read amlu laugh
ter. The speaker then continued:
I trust McClellan found time to answer such
questions as these,'all hinting the great advantages
of “ my plan” over “yours, ,r but I do think that l
when a commander of ah army in the Bold was in
vited to answer such interrogatories, and enter into*
discussion about “ my plan,” the enemy need not
have feared'serious danger, [Laughter.] . Now, 1
after having taken charge of the campaign, ho be
gan to Issue military orders from the white House,:
which he (the President) called “general orders,”'
1,2,3, &e: I would like to read 1 and 2 to you, but you,
will read them yourselves, but his “ plan No. 3,” it ■
Is due to him to tell you. After his orders to the
Armyof the Potomac to take Richmond by the way
of Chesapeake Bay [laughter], he ha d another
“plan;” whether it was comprehensive or not is
not the question. After exciting Presidential or
ders from the White House, when he was tired
writing letters showing “my plan,” he wrote
to McClellan-on the 26th of May, 1862. The sneaker
read this letter, in which the President said: ,
“What impression have you as to the entrenched
works you have to contend with in front of Rich
mond! Have you got near enough to throw shells
into the city ?” {The tone of the speaker In reading
the sontenoe italicised, oxclted great laughter.]
Me. Van Burbn.—No wonder he removed Mc-
Clellan/ :
After the grand and glorious victory of Antletam,
the President, like a great many other military
men, who are always somewhat behind In a battle,
[laughter,] and always manage to be somewhat
ahead in the pursuit, [renewed laughter,] wrote to
McClellan thus:
Washington, September 15, 1802—2 45 P.'M.
[laughter,]—Your despatch of to-day received. God
bless you, and all who are with you. Destroy the re
bel army, if possible!! [Excessive .and long-con
tinued laughter.] , • .
Now, there was “my plan,” which nobody could
object to, provided McClella n had been given an op
portunity of trying to do it,-but he was relieved
from his command, and General Burnside was put
in his place. Fellow-citizens, if the time allowed,
I could keep you for hours listening to the extra-or
dinary epistolary productions of this remarkable
man. [Laughter.] More extraordinary in “my
plans” than in his arrests or his proclamations, and
yet, extraordinary -as he is; there are calls for
a change, which" shall be mado.' [Cheers.]
It seemed to me that there could be no mistake as
to the decision to which the people would come
when the-end of this career came to be reached. I
never had any misgiving that any support given to
Mr. Lincoln’s Administration could contribute to
its continuance; but to guard against accident, I
said, two years ago, at a meeting la New York, that
I should vote for George B. McClellan for-the
next Presidency. [Applause.] I did not think it
necessarry to say that I was willing to do that
because he would . be the nominee of this conven
tion or that convention; but I am glad to think
that that assemblage that met at Chicago, repre
senting the Demociatieparty of the United States,
as well as the conservative men of the country, with
reflection, consultation, and deliberation, presented
his name as eminently worthy of the suffrages of
the people for that high office. , [Applause ] I
know General McClellan, I may say, quite well—
though at the time so maiiy discussions took
place in regard to him, in which I had a
part, I had never seen him, or had any inter
course with him. I believe him to ba an able
and capable soldier. I have supposed him to
be 9 true patriot, and I know him to be a. cultivated
and accomplished [gentleman (applause); and
when we elect General McClellan I can assure you
that'we will have a lady and a gentleman In the
White House (applause)—and my opportunities of
observation have not been such as to make me be
lieve we have such there now. We will have a wise,
prudent, and experienced soldier, who will direct
operations in the Held, while they are necessary,
with skill, with j udgment, and with humanity, and
how will stop it at the first instant it is . practical
to stop it with’honor. [Cheers.] You'have a man
who has already declared to you what are his con
ditions of peace, for he say 3, the Union is his condi
tion of peace, and nothing more. Whatever may
be your opinion, or the opinion, perhaps, of some
amongst you in regard to the importance of prose
cuting the war for other and different purposes, I
believe with the declaration of Congress, Introduced
by Mr. Crittenden, that the only true, legitimate,
attainable, results that can be effected by the
prosecution of this-war, are, that the rebellion
is to be subdued, the States to be allowed,
to return to their allegiance to the Union, and
secured In their, constitutional rights after their
return, as they were before they went out. [Cheers.]
- This is the plain issue on the port of ‘the Candidate
for the Presidency "of the United States presented
by the conservative citizens of the country. On the
other hand, Abraham Lincoln tells us, those to
whom it may concern—and I take it we are those
whom it does concern [laughter]—that he will re
ceive no proposition of peace unless it is accompa
nied with the abandonment or slavery. No w, fel
low-citizens, assume that to be so; he has directly
violated the law of this country, as he imposes
conditions,,.unknown to the Constitution,- and
pledges us; the people, to the prosecution of
the war to an extent, and with a destruction of
life and treasure, from which It seams every
humane man must recoil with: horror. Do any
of you suppose that the people of this country
would consent to prosecute this war for the mere
purpose of abolition 1 And it is proposed to abolish
slavery where! In Maryland, Delaware, or Ken
tucky, all of which are loyal to the Union? No:
hut It is designed to abolish slavery in the very
States with which we are at war. Thissoheme strikes
me as one pledgingthe people to a coarse upon which
the people will put the brand of their condemnation
at the coming election; And he will reeive no com
missioners of peace. . What country has ever shown
a disposition to receive no commissioners of peace,
in order to conclude a disastrous waf ? Gen. Wash
ington did not think it beneath his dignity to re
ceive comfeiiSioners at the time of the whisky
Insurrection. But General ’ Washington was
no guide for Abraham Lincoln, because he was
a man of inferior military ability. [Laugh
ter.] Let me point my Republican friends
to Mr. Lincoln’s message to ; Congress,
appointing General McClellan to the command of
the armies of the United States. He said he did it
at the suggestion of General Scott, and that it was
approved by the people. Now, the Ex-Postmaster
General informsus that no later than jast before
the assembling of the Chicago Convention, Mr.
Lincoln was treating with General McClellan,
urging him to take a military command, provided
he would turn his face on Chicago. Sir. Blair
might have gone further, and said that not very long
ago General McClellan was offered a high position
and be supported for the successor to Lincoln, if he
would give up his claims to the Presidency at this
time. [Laughter.] Of course, he is too much of a
soldier to accept these terms. General McClellan
is known to the country, and he is loved by the
country. There Is something in him which I cannot
desoilbe, but which the people appreciate. Modest,
self-denying, and bravo, he is lovod by citizens and
soldiers alike. -The. Republicans intend to defeat
General McClellan, they say, by the soldiers,
and they do hot conceal the fact that they are going
to do it by fraud. But you cannot cheat the sot
dieis. [Applause.] II they are not hoard, and if
their votes don’t reach Washington, it is probable
their muskets will. [Tremendous applause ] This
is to be a fair election. It must be a very fair
election, or, my .word for it, the people will
not submit to' It. [Renewed applause.] I was
brought up with a set of men who never were used
to being cheated. The care-worn sons of toil, who
compose the Democratic party, have acquiesced in
all the evasions of the Constitution by this Admi
nistration. They have nobly sustained tho country
in the hour of-its greatest trial. Talk of this war
being prosecuted by Republicans—talk of the vic
tories in the field being their victories.- Why, if
the Republicans alone had prosecuted thi3 war
Jeff Davis would now be watering his horses in
Gooes Creek. [Laughter and applause.] Isay
that this election: will ba a fair one. I hope so for
the honor and safety of the Republic. I announced
to yon that I did not intend to-night to treat you to
a speeoh. - I wish to reserve my strength for work
that lies before me in my own State. We are wait
ing to Snow what: Pennsylvania will do on Tues
day. [Applause.]. If the election here should result
In a success, the struggle hereafter will tea matter
fOTm jiltis .trying, to the passions of .ordi
nary men to find their means, raised by taxation,
contributed to the: support of oonlractors, who are
attempting the overthrow® t the Democratic party,
and procure' the continuance of the war-.for their
own purposes instead of for th'e public good. We'
know you have to encounter the whole patronage
of the Government; we know you have to face the
whole terrorism of the Government, and that
you bear it alone; but so much the more ho
nor for ‘ yeaso : much more distinction for the
gallant citizen-of this ancient State,‘whieh has
never in the history of past political contests, with
but,one exception, failed to respond to the call made
upon it to stand by the Constitution and the Union
In .the selection of President of the United States.
[Applause.] If the Keystone of the arch stands
firm now, all will be well, and more than well in
November. You deprive ns, you deprive your
brethem in their own. States, of all honor in this
contest by assuming the responsibility and
proclaiming beforehand • the victory that is
to follow; but if, perchance, you falter now,
then let me tell you the State of New York
and the Democratic States of this Union whieh we
hope to have by our side will never call upon you
to aid m the triumphant election of McClellan to
the Presidency. Wo are prepared to sustain him
with a unanimity and strength altogether une
qualled In-the past historv of political contests. .
Other speakers followed, and a banner was dis
played, called the “Banner of Democracy,” which
is to be presented to tho ward in this city which will
give the largest Democratic majority on Tuesday.
GREAT MEETING IN H ARRISBURG.
SPEECH OF DANIEt DOUOHERTV—A OHAUSSM TO
GOYEHSOIi .SBYSIOBB—BE REFUSES TO DEBATE
WITH MR. DOTTCHERTT. ' :
[SpecialDespatch toThe Press.] ; '
; . ; llakkisbckc, Oct.lRS4.
The most magnificent outpouring of patriotic and
. loyal people this county ever witnessed is'now in
.'progress. The wildest enthusiasm prevails. Daniel
Dougherty made a powerful speech. Cheer followed
cheer, and the impression he left is permanent.
Rev. Walker Jackson also made a thrilling address.
A, J. Herr, Esq [ presided, and made an eloquent
opening speech. Dauphin is alive. Her majority
will be at least twelve hundred. Mr. Dougherty
challenged Governor Seymour, ol New York, todis
etiss the great political questions; but lie-declined
because he was not among his friends. It is greatly
regretted that Governor Seymour declined Mr.
Dougherty’s challenge, and his refusal Is considered
evidence of his unwillingness to have the question
fairly argued before the people. The following is
the Correspondence: -
: ' “Harrisburg, Oct. 7—4J< o’clock P, M.
' “Sir: I have just arrived in town, and learn
that you are announced to speak this evening in
front of the Buehler Hoiise. In your speech as
published in the Age of yesterday, occurs the fol
lowing passage: ‘I stand before you to-night most
terribly Impressed; with the magnitude of the great
issues now to be tried before the august tribunaiof
the American people. I stand before you an earnest
man. I may hold mistaken; views, but God knows
I stand before you to-night to utter, no word
which is not prompted by the deep conviction
of my judgment.’ I, too, •am anTeamest man,
terribly impressed with the magnitude of the
great Issues to be tried by the august
tribunal of the American people, I therefore sug
gest that we discuss these great issues this evening
before the same audience. =1 cannot speak in-the
open air, and, therefore, invite you to meet me at
the Court House—a spacious hall; the largest In the
, city. Please give me an immediate reply, in order
that the required preparations be at once made.
“ I have the honor to be,- with great-respect, your
obedient servant, ‘ Daniel Douaana-iT,
“Jones House.
“Hon. Horatio Seymour, Harrisburg.”
■ The above letter was presented to Governor Sey
mour by Joshua, M. Wiestllng, Esq., secretary of
the Dauphin county Union Committee. After con
siderable delay, Mr. Wiestling was enabled to de
liver the letter of challenge to Governor Seymour
That gentleman read the letter, and then, after a
moment’s hesitation, he said he thought it would
be in bad taste to discuss the questions in the man
ner proposed, as he was a stranger ‘in Harrisburg
To this the secretary replied, Mr. Dougherty was
also a stranger. . The Governor remarked that “ the
bearer of the letter could see that It was not in good
taste,” but he was politely Informed that the ques
tion of good taste was raised by him, and hyhimlt
must be settled. The Governor positively declined
giving a written declination of the challenge. B.
UNION, MEETING IN MONTGOMERY
■■■ I: . - . COUNTY. ■
[Special Despatch to,tlie Press I .-
ZiEGLERYULK, Oct.7.—A large and .enthusiastic
meeting of the friends of Lincoln, Johnson, and
’Liberty was held In this place last evening. Dele
gations from all parts of the county were present.
The meeting was addressed by Robt. W. E ishbaeh.
Esq., of Greenville,'William T. Smyth, M. D., John
Birkenblno, Esq., and H. A. B. Williams, of Phi
ladelphia. Songs wero sung, and the greatest en
thusiasm prevailed. The meeting adjourned at a
late hour amid cheers for Lincoln, Johnson, and
the whole ticket.
UNION MEETINGS IN SCHUYLKILL OO
GREAT ENTHUSIASM—SPEECHES BY JUDGE SHAW
»O2ir A2TD LIN. HiRTHOIiOMEW.
[Special Despatch, to The Press J
", Pottsville, October 7
Judge Shannon, of Pittsburg, spoke to-nte-ht‘at
St. Clair. An audience of some five thousand were
collectetrt During the; course of his speech he took
occasion to attack that of Governor Seymour deli
vered last night at Reading, in which he (Seymour)
stated that 11-President Lincoln was elected one
million of men from the North would convoy Gan
McClellan to Washington and seat him in the Pre
sidential chair. As a surgeon lays'open to the bone
the flesh of the subjeot he is dissecting, so Judge
Shannon to-night dissected the hydra-headed mon
ster of tho so-called Democratic party. The meeting
w as of a most enthusiastic character.
Heretofore Schuylkill county has been intensely
Democratic,’but’ the feeling-is changed, and hun
dreds of men who never before attended an Admi
nistration meeting came out to attend the one at
Mahanoy City to-night, where Lin. Bartholomew :
spoke to avast audience. The meeting was of a
more spirited character than any held Ini Schuylkill
county for yeare past. The wildest enthusiasm pre
vailed, and at the conclusion of the meeting . Judge
Shi nnon and Mr. Bartholomew were called forth
and crowned with wreaths of flowers, presented by a
fair grl who, two years ago, sacrificed the choioa of
her heart on the altar of her coumry.
THE WAR.
VICTORY IS GEORGIA.
DEFEAT OF THE REBELS AT ALATOONA
Sherman Protesting Ifis ComiMications,
FOBRIST CORSEBEO BY OUR FORCES,
HIS TRAIN CAPTURED AND HIS RETREAT
CRT OFF BY GUNBOATS.
A BATTLE EXPECTED NEAR FLORENCE, ALA,
TXJJd WAIL IN; MISSOURI,
PRICE REPORTED AT CASTLE ROCK.
The Rebels in Front of .TeJl'erson City.
SHERIDAN STILL AT HARRISONBURG.
OFFICIAL GAZETTE,
GENERAL SHERMAN PROTECTING HIS COMSTfiStr
CATI OKS THE ' REBEL (fIi.VEKAL FKEirdfi , DE
FEATED WITH HEAVY /.OSS—FORP.EST IN A
TIGHT PtAOE—HIS EETEEATVCHT- OS’l’ BY GE‘
' KEEAX,| SIOEGAH—GEHEHAt BHEKMAX STILT, AT
HARRISONBURG A SOW . OP GENERAL 51E1C.3
KILLED BY BUSHWHACKERS. - /
Washington, Oct. T, 11.40-A. M.—ln a recent
despatch it was mentioned that General Sherman
was taking measures to protect his communica
tions from the rebel forces operating against them.
Despatches received last night show the fulfilment
of this expectation.
Major General George H. Thomas was sent to
Nashvsllo to organize the troops in his district ana
drive Forrest from onr lines, while the attention of
General Sherman was directed to the movements
of the main rebel army in the vicinity of Atlanta.'
On the 4th of October -the rebels had captured
Big ShanSy, but were followed up closely "by 'Sher
man. On the eth a severe engagement was fought
by our forces under General John E. Smith, and.
the rebel forces under General French, in which the
rebels were driven from the field with heavy loss,
leaving their dead and wounded in our hands. The
details are given in the following despatch from"
General Thomas:
DESPATCH PROM GENERAL THOMAS. -
Nashville, Oct. G—11.30 P. 81.
To Hon. E. M,Stanton, Secretary of War:
The following telogram is just received from Chat-
tanooga:
General Smith, who left there yesterday (sth
Inst.), telegraphs that the enemy retreated last
evening from Alatoona, moving in the direction of
Balias, leaving his dead and from 400 to 000 wound
ed in our hands./
Our loss is about Kio hilled and 200 wounded. ,
Tho railroad bridge near Ringgold was washed
away yesterday. . S. B. Moose, a. a. G.
The Besaca bridge will he repaired by to-morrow,
and the trains will be able to run asfaras Ala
toona, going via- Cleveland and Dayton. Nothing
further has been heard from Sherman since .my last
despatch of yesterday, but the retreat of the enemy
towards Balias indicates that he was closeupon their
rear at Alatoona. Have not heard from Generals
Rousseau or Washburno to-day, but presume they
are pushing! Forrest as rapidly as" the condition Of
the .roads will admit. ' "WO. have had. heavy and
continuous rains for the last five days, render
ing the roads . and streams Impassable. Have
just recoived' the following despatch from Gene
ral Granger, dated 5 Huntsville, October 5, xo
P. M.: The courier reported drowned In'cross
ing Elk river Is in. .'He lost the despatches while
crossing the fiver. He reports that two rebels
were captured yesterday, who say that they left
Forrest at Lawrenceburg the night before, crossing
south. General Morgans advance was skirmishing
with the ..enemy this A. M., on Shaw’s Greek, he
being unable to cross the creek oh account of high
water. Ho hopes to be able to cross by to-morrow
morning, when he will push them still further on. !
The Alabama Kaiiroad.will be repaired from here
to Pulaski in one week.
George H. Thomas, Major General,
Another and unofficial, despatch reports as fol
lows: “ Telegraph repaired to Alitoona to-day. The
action yesterday was severe, French attacking with
Ms divlslomjt.opo strong, rand..srfiß"ering heavily,
leaving his killed ana wounded in our hands, to the
number of 1,000, while wo lost only 300. , The fight
lasted six hours altogether.”
From Florence we hear that Morgan has Forrest
cornered, lias captured Ms transportation, and that
the gunboats prevent all retreat across the Ten
nessee.. . ■ .V ? \
Satisfactory reports of the operations in progress
before Richmond and. Petersburg have been re
ceived, but theirdetails are not at present proper
for publication.
. A despatch from Gen. Stevenson reports an officer
of Gen. Sheridan’s stall just arrived. Gen. Sheri
dan was still at Harrisonburg. His supply trains
were going o'n all right, occasionally interrupted by
guerilla parties, the only force on the road. This
officer brought in the remains of Lieutenant
John R. Meigs, of the Engineer Corps, and
only son- of / Brevet Major ::, General Meigs,
quartermaster general, who was killed by bush
whackers on Monday last, while making a mili
tary survey. In the death of this gallant officer the
Department: has occasion to deplore no ordinary
loss. Last year he graduated at the military acade
my, West Point, with the highest honors, at tho
head of Ms class, was commissioned as a lieutenant
of engineers, and immediately sent into the field.
He performed meritorious and dangerous ser
vices during the Last year on the fortiflca.
tioris at Baltimore, at Harper’s Ferry, and
at Cumberland, and was made chief engi
neer in- the Army of the Shenandoah. In
the campaigns he accompanied the army under
Sigel, Hunter, and Sheridan. In every position he
gave proof of great professional skill, personal
courage, and devoted patriotism. . Ono of the
youngest and brightest ornaments of the military
profession, ho has fallen an early victim to mur
derous rebel warfare. '
General Rosecrans reports that General Ewing
made good his retreat to Rolla, losing only a few
stragglers, and the killed and wounded on the way
were very few. From the number of the wounded
rebels, the enemy’s loss will not fall much short of
a thousand hors du combat.
/ Edwin M. iSTAiraoir, Secretary of War.
OISEB4I. CKAXT’S ARMY.
ALL QUIET ALONG THE LINES—OUR FORCES
STRONGLY POSTED.
-Washington, October 7.— The intelligence re
ceived from General Grant’s army to-day is that
universal quiet prevailed on Wednesday night and
yesterday morning up to ten o’clock, when the mill
boat left City Point; : . ... ■. v
Our forces on the south side are within sound and
sight of the railroad, and in a strong position, caps
ble, it is said, of resisting any rebel assault. - It ap.
pears that the enemy are not using that railroad to
any considerable extent.
THE SHESASBOAH TAIEET.
OPINIONS OP THE CHARLESTON “ MERCURY” .ON
EARLY’S EXPEDITION"" AND BIS DEPEATS—SE
VERE CRITICISM OP THE REBBL MILITARY Po
" LtCY. ■. '•
Washington, Oct. 7.—Piles-of the Charleston
(S. C.) papers, Including those of the 28th ult., have
been received here.
The Mercury contains a letter from Richmond ad
mitting that «the situation” is serious. “ Fisher’s
Bill,” Ibe correspondent says, «ls,the strongest po
sition In the Shenandoah, valley, and Earlyhas been
driven from that, and to insure deliverance we must
call out and concentrate every available man ”
The Mercury ’says: “ Whbn Early assumed the
aggressive and crossed the Potomac into Maryland
we ventured- to express, the opinion that such a
movement, could produce nothing but evil to-our
cause. The subsequent burning down of Chambers
burg, and the military flourishes about Wash
ington, only confirmed our fears. Time has passed
on, and now we see realized tlie fruits of this
expedition. The army It raised is in the valley
of Virginia before General Early., it has do
feated him In two battles. Nor is this all. These
two [battles have aided powerfully In the enforce
ment of the draft now; going on in that country, and
will thus add tens of thousands more to bur enemies
in the field. To our comprehension it was clear that
Early’s expedition Into Maryland was like that of
General Longstreet to Knoxville. It w:as-a part of
that hind of policy which has continually clogged
our success, and destroyed its fruits before they are
realized. It is this which has cost us the half of
Georgia. General Hood was faithful to-it when ho
sent all his cavalry away, and insured the fall of
Atlanta.”
SHF. WAR IS THE SOUTHWEST.
THE REBEL DEFEAT AT ALATOONA—THEIR DISAP
PEARANCE FROM THE PLACE—FORREST’S TRAIN
CAPTURED.
Chattanooga, Oct. 7.—The rebels have disap
peared from Alatoona. Our victory there yesterday
was complete. The rebel surgeons surrendered
their hospitals into our hands, with from 400 to 800
rebels wounded: ;
. Gen. Cross was slightly wounded in the. cheek;
also, .Col. Ellett, -of the ,4th Minnesota, in the
left thigh. : ‘ .
' An entire division of the rebel army, under Gen
-French, made the attack on Alatoona. •
Lieut. Armsier, of the 12th Wisconsin Batterv
lost a log. ' ■ . - •• •"
tel6grapliea from Bridgeport
■that the gunboat Gen. Thomas has arrived from
Decatur, Alabama, with the news" that Forrest’s
tram had boon captured, that our- forces are be
tween Mm and the shoals, and that the eastnv'"’'
falling back toward the river. Jeers
THE REBEL KILLED AND WOUNDED LEST m
: HANDS AT ALATOONA—SKIRMISHING WITH
BOTOBD—FOBHSST REPORTED MOVnrS
FLORENCE, AL A.—A BATTLE EXPECTED
Nashville, Oct.7.—ln the fight near AlatJ"
on the 6thinst,, our forces completely vannula
tie rebels, who retreated precipitately,
our hands between 400 and 800 killed and woumL 1 ®
■ Skirmishing occurred all day yesterday, at g??\
Creek, between a. force .of United States
under General Morgan, and a rebel forea^^ 3
Buford. ■ - V - - St
It is-reported that the rebel Forrest is en route
Florence, fromLawrenceburg.
A later despatch reports; that a large f otte
United States troops is near Florence, and a |, IU ,
was momentarily expected. 1-8
MISSOURI.
BEBBI, SASSAGE OF THE O3AOE HIVES SS Wr .
BD BT OTJB TKOOBE—»EE.\MO%VBK AT COtrtiAjJj'
St. Louts,' Oct. s:— Official.advices say t ,
Price’s main rebel army attemptemptod to C r
tLe Osage river at Castle Kock to-day, but »!?
prevented by a force or our troops stationed on *h
opposite side, between whom and the rebels flAt
-<ing had occurred, but with what result was n
known. The'recent rains have swollen the 0; 3 ’»
and Price will probably try to cross at someth'
higher up.
The reports that several hundred rebels j,.,
crossed the' Missouri river Into Montgomery eijunt
are unfounded. General Blower arrived in » a j(
time at Ccurant Point. His movements will
be announced-to the enemy by himself. 3
THE ENEMT IN FRONT OF JEFFERSON CIT7-.3ri.rn,
WTXSON AND BIX SOLDIERS IN DANCER OF BK is j|
EXECUTED IST TII2 REBELS —r.ETALIATOUT jie,
i BURES TAKEN BV OF.NERAL hOSECRANS. *
St. Louis, Oct. T.—The enemy appeared beft ts
Jefferson City to-day, but in what numbers or wit.
ther a battle has been fought cannot be learned
headquarters to-night.
Major Wilson, of the 3d Missouri
six of ids men, captured .it Pilot Knob, bare baj a
turned over for execution to the notorious guerfl)
Tom Reeves, for the alleged billing of some of ti
latter’s associates in Arkansas.
General Eoseeranß has a rebel major and 'step
goners to be sent in irons to the Alton prison, a;
kept In solitary confinement till the fata of Mi]'
Wilson is known. Tbe rebels are to receive {;
same treatment as Major Wilson’s mem
The damage done to the Paeifte Railroad fa a .
known/ It is estimated at $300,000, exclusive of t[
loss ol' bnsiEess of the road until it is repaired.
HEFAHTMEN® OF-THE SOUTH,
tTNTTED ‘'STATES SUBGRONS BELEASBD FBO2I jjf,
PEXSOITMEKT. ,
New York, Oct. 7.—The steamer Arago, f Msl
Fort Koyal on the 4th Inst., arrived at this port to.
flay. ■ ■. ■■ ? .
The following assistant, surgeons, and other cffi.
cers of the United States army, who wore heW
prisoners by the enemy, hftye been exchanged.
J. Nickerson, assistant sturgeon, 16th ConneeHc,
K. Bay, assistant surgeon, 1 Ist New York hr
goons.
W. McPherson, assistant surgeon, 101st Permi.
G-. Z. Buty, assistant surgeon j 110th Bean,
W. J. Craigen, assistant surgeon, 23 District
Columbia Volunteers.
J. H. Denny, assistant surgeon, 2d Mass. Art.
J, Q.. A. Meredith, assistant surgeon, 103 d Peni
H. S. White, chaplain, sth Rhode Island An.
0.. Dixon, chaplain, 16th Connecticut.
The following officers had been paroled by a
rebel authorities: Capt. I>. B. MeKibban, nap,
S. Infantry ; Oapt. E. E, Smith, of the 19th; Oaf
J. E. Miehener, or the 85th Pennsylvania, and idea,
tenant Amory, of the 2d Massachusetts Cavalry,
FORTRESS -.HOXBOJB.
ASBITAI. FBO3I VATPAItAISO—BEATHS OS' ?BSJ.
STLYAITIA^S—ARRIVAL OF IYAR VBSSELs-Cit;,
MA3.S PROHIBITED FROST 001113 UP TH2 .ja;
StlYBR#
FcKTitESS Moheqe, Oct. s.—The Chilian ba
Tabor, from Valparaiso; arrived here to-day. S
exchanged signals, on August 20th, in latitude
deg. .4 min., long. 31 deg. 10 min., with an Amerir
bark steering southeast, showing a white flag w
“14 48” in the centre. On August 21st, in latit®
23 deg. 9 min., long. 34 deg. 26 miri., she spake r
English ship Ccssipore, of Liverpool, from Sam.
land for Calcutta, forty-five days out. @n Oetol
Ist, in latitude 38 deg. 20 min., spake the brig Ko:
Bay, of Bangor, Blaine, from Philadelphia for Pc
Boyal, S. C., eight days out.
Tfie Tabor is eighty-five days from Valparal
bound to New York.
Among tkB list of deaths la Hampton Hosj
: Inoe tie last report are the names of tlio foil
Pennsylvanians: C. J. Oarler, 58tli Penna : Jo.
Keller, 3d Penna. Artillery; Eli S. Raker. s>
Penna. '■ - '
The United-States frigate Colorado arrived,
anchored at Hampton Koads at X o’clock this at;
noon. The Wabash arrived this afternoon.
October B.—Orders have been issued to da)
Mbiting civilians from passing up the James
from this point.
The new iron-clad Bfahopae, from IS'ew Grit
arrived hero this afternoon.
The steamer Menohaiisett arrived from
Point this afternoon, hut brings no news of m:
from the army.
WASHINGTON.
WASBOITGWOtf. 0«.
_KO .CiyiLtASrS- TO GO TO the wbosz
No more passes to visit the army front vr!
the present, be issued to citizens.
IKTERYIEVf BETtVHEK 6EK. BASKS AX
- ' ' PRESIDES!!.
Gen, Bakes had an interview with the Pr<
to-day.
AGENTS NOB THE PURCHASE OF COTTON
pointed.
•Special agents nave been appointed Tor tt
chase of cotton on Government-account, the
being to encourage the. sending to market i
crops in the territory under rebel role. The !
lations.of the Treasury Department trill be etas
in conjunction with the military authority
following are the names of the agents: Geo?.f
Botutit, of New York, at Memphis: 0. N
ns, of Missouri, at New" Orleans, ana (
AdaOilS, of Kentucky, at Nashville. Tit
named will resign Ms present positional Sixth
tor of the Treasury to accept of that appall
THE GOVEKKOR OF KOTA SCOTIA.
Major General Dora, the Governor Gem
Nova Scotia, dined with the Secretary of St?
teiday, and, among other courtesies, the T
authorities here afforded him facilities fat
the camps and hospitals in this vicinity.
■ THE SEVEX-THIRTY EOAS.
•The subscriptions to the sevea-tkirty loaa,
past two days, as reported to tlis Treater;
ment,. amount to $1,188,000,
TEE MAILS IN MISSOI'BI.
The Postmaster at Quincy, 111., Ms teitgs
tie Post Office Department that the Hans"
St. Joseph EaJlroaa, recently injured Q
raid, has been repaired, and the mails hon:
ter place have been received at his office, m
mails for the West forwarded. No mails hsi
lost,!going or coming.
OFFICIAL SEDATIONS CONTINUED WEI
CONSTITUTTONAL, GOTEEKMEXT OF
ICO.
This Government continues its official
with ths Liberal or Constitutional Govso-
Mexico, anjt the President has recently rec;
Jose Soeero -Prieto eonsnl of thatEepubiii
port of San Francisco.
THE SOUTH ATLANTIC BLOCKADING
It appears, from an official statement raes
the Navy . Department to-day, that the Ki
lantle Blockading Squadron has, from At
1563, to October Ist of the present year, os.
destroyed fifty vessels. Most of these were fit
blockade-runners..
PEKSONAL,
Thtcriow Wbsd and H, J. Eaymosd si
city; rumor Has it in connection v^fift
peace commission. -
: Assistant Secretary of the Treasury H asi
has returned to his post, after tiro weeks’'
Arrest of .illeged Conspirators
fUauapolis—Escape of 11. 11. jiosi
I'rlson.
INDIAKAPOLIS, Oct.'7.—The military sat
hare arrested J. J. Bingham, editor of tire >
Horace Hiffron, es-colonel of an Indiana res
Andrew J. Humphries, and L. JP. Milligan. 1
with being connected with a treasonabls
zation. c
The evidence in the case of A.H.B*
commander of the Sons of Tdberty, noff
before the military commission, disclose*
portent facts relative to the purpose of *
zotion throughout the Northwest.
Dodd effected his escape from the thi
tfce prison at four o’clock thli morning, hj
a tojjo lornlshod by his friends outside,
of one thousand dollars was at once off®*
airest, and it has since been increased to 1
sand dollars.
Indiana State Fair.
Istoakapolis, Oct. ".—The State am
Commission Fairs, held in this city dnrin? j
are progressing satisfactorily. The wea®*
the first part of the week was unfsvaratk
now very fine, aind there was an imtneas <
visitors at both places to-day. Among J
guished visitors were Major Gen. Josef’
Major Greh. Logan, and Hon. Andrew J'
The Bilxtakd ToumrAiiEKT.— -Hr.
feated Mr. Hewes yesterday by 179
runs of Mr. Palmer, 14, 22, 23, 25, 31, S'
of-Mr. Hewes, 26,22, At; average, 10,V
gomery then won of Mr. Plunkett; aftei
game, the loser making 492 points. SB
runs were 49,23,58,31,24, 32 ; Mr. iff®
21, 2b; 29, 21, 23, 29, 51; average, 6}£.
niig Mr./EStephe won of Mr. Ryall, tH
lug him a hard struggle, and scortn?
Mr. Estephe’s best runs were 21,90,20,«
34, Slj'Mr. KyaU’S, 25, 68, 20, 24," 38,
9K* The game between s'•
Mr. Kelms was not finished in time f° :;
being : begun late. The interest of the K
increases dsdlyi On Tuesday next S»*
Kavanagt, and the winner of the mates
A.TTSACTIVE SiLS Of CABPETIKCSj
&C., &c , This Dat.— Tke attention o'
is requested to tiio choice and desirably
of Crossley’s’ English tapestry
damasfc stair, superfine ingrain, fiat, 1 '
and Dutch hemp carpets, druggets,
&0;j to be peremptorily sold b?
months’ credit) commencing this Sato “
Oct. Bth, at 11 o’clock precisely,
& Co., auctioneers, Hoa. 232 and 23* *
West Jersey Railroad I*’* ‘
quested to call the attention of l sl * o, * t
important changes which will tal;0 I''
riing arrangement of the trains on .
commencing SlowUiy WBk - ’