The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1840-05-28

B.;crrburch. overlooking the valley OF the Green
River Al IL A. M. the meeting was duly or
ranixed by the choice Of Hon. George Grennel,
j.. as President, and the other usual officers
A9ter the divine blessing hsd been invoked
nv Reverend Samuel Wssbburn, set Of spi-
r;ted and highly pertinent resolutions were
offered by Hon. George T. Davis, which he ac-
companied with some very appropriate remarks
| He was followed BY Gen. Ebenezer Matloon, of
Amherst, q veteran Of eighfy-foU years of age,
and who has been, in days ygone, one Of the
great and good of the Connecticut valley; who
imbibed his Wing principles IN the Revolution,
and never found reason 10 depart from them in
the course of long and brilliant political career
and who now, although he has been deprived Of
sight for more than twenty years, and has lived
beyond the span of life, comes forward TO add his
assurance Of the honesty, patriotism, and purity
of William Henry Harrison, gathered from long
and intimate personal acquaintance. His re-
marks were most eloquent, and were listened to
with the deepest attention. We could almost
fancy that il was a spirit Of some OF the fathers
Of American Liberty, warning US OF the evil
courses, into which we have fallen, and calling
upon US to return TO the principles Of the Wings
Of '76.
Gen NATION was followed by Hon Isaac c.
Bates, and we need hardly say that his remarks,
which occupied about an hour in delivery, were
most eloquent and soul-stirrng, rich in fancy
and highly finished.
Hon. Myron Lawrence succeeded Mr. Bates,
and, with his well-known sarcasm and humor
delighted the Convention for upwards of an
hour. M
Mr.. Lawrence was followed by Mr. Rhodes,
of Walpole, Norfolk county, who delivered one
of the most effective and cutting speeches made
during the day Mr.. II. is a carpenter by trade,
and il is only few months since he first entered
| the political arena. But he displayed in his re-
marks, knowledge Of the political state Of the
Union, he laid open the causes Of the present
distressed condition Of the country with an ac-
curacy, and illustrated his position with a fund
of anecdote, which few of our distinguished
and practised politicians can claim; and there
| was, at the same time, simplicity and fresh
ness about his remarks, that brought them home
| TO the understanding of the humblest. and fixed
them in the memory OF all.
| Gen. James Wilson, Of Keene N. Fl. closed
the doings of the Convention with most bril-
liant speech of two hours in length, Ii was
one Of the most successful of the many sue
cessful speeches he has ever made, and will add
no little to his reputation Of being the crack
orator of New England.
We should like to give these speeches more
in detail. Indeed we should do it, had the meet
ing been one of ordinary character, limited in
numbers and speakers. But the fact is the peo
pie themselves were present to hear them, and
we probably should De repeating 10 most OF our
readers what they heard for themselves. After
the Convention adjourned, at about P. NJ.
most Of the audience, numerous as it was con
lrived TO get bite at the log cabin, which
had been erected for the occasion; and where
Gen. Harrison's friends were served with
crackers and hard cider
| Ii is impossible to form any exact estimate of
the numbers that were present. But, from the
opinion Of those capable Of judging in these
matters, and by nadmeasurement of the ground
covered by the Convention, we think that we
may safely state that not far from
TEN THOUSAND
were convened
As Convention, we believe il was the larg-
est and most spirited one ever held in the Bay
| State, and, with the exception Of the assemblage
on Bunker Hill on 18th of June, some years
since, when Lafayette visited this country, we
can remember no greater gathering called forth
by apoltical or national jubilee. Its decorations
and outward trappings passed away with the
day; hut the determined spirit and fiery zeal,
which was developed and strengthened on the
occasion must grow and extend itself till the
ninth of November next shall record its results.