The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1844-05-11
Correspondence of the National Intelligencer
THE CONVENTION OF
RATIFICATION.

bold up long enough to allow of the move
ment in procession 10 the ground at Can
ton, near the city, ON which the Couyen-
ton was to be held.
The whole of the early part of the day
was occupied in preparatory arrangements.
The mastering oflhe Delegations from The
various States and Territories, each at its
own parade ground, and the stationing Of
them from point TO point along the con-
semplsted line Of march, so as to enable
them in succession, to wheel into line, and
thus complete the whole order of process
sion-all these arrangements appear TO
have been made with consummale pru
dence and foresight, since they were COM
pletely successful; the entire body, numer-
Gus as il was. preserving unity and order
IN its movements highly credrable to all
concerned There was not throughout
the whole, the least collision, interruption
or confusion ofany kind-not blow, moi
a quarrel, not even an angry word; but, Sc
far as has come to my knowledge, all went
Oh with harmony highly honorable to
The Convention itself, and equally so to
the party and to the counlry-a thing the
more surprising when one considers the
high state of excitement under which all
were acting, and the conflicting opinions
of many who were lool,ers-on.
But, before say word about the pro-
'cession, let me present to you little pic
lure exhibited by the great lhoroughlares
along which the procession was TO pass.
" on are familiar with Baltimore street;
but never since it was buiI could you have
seen it asitiooked on Thursday morning
it is said that neither The visit of LArAY-
ETTE nor the political Convention held
III this city lin 1S40) came any where
near to it, great number of the stores
were closed the counters were movable,
taken out, and placed across the front of
the building, and lhen loaded will, chairs,
benches. boxes, and seas OF various kinds,
all which, from an early hour, were crowd.
ed with Waiting and eager groups, among
whom the softer sex in all ages provelbaI
for their patriotism, as well as for their
curiosity, held conspicuous place
Other houses were boarded up, in fl ont,
below, and covered with temporary CALLER
aes Of a more substantial construction
abe ranges Of windows above were for
itle most part taken entirely out of their
frames; and IN some instances this was
done also in The third and fourth stories.
atics and all. v here balconies projected
they were avalled of to The utermost, their
fronts covered with banners, iesloons, like
nesses OF Mr.. CLAY, and mathematical re-
presentations pI yarinuc iin1c. S,,,n u,o,o
decorated With wrcaths Of flowers; others
had inscriptions Of "Welcome " higs!n
"Clay forevcrm SC. I'e describe therein
ants of these windows and balconies quite
transcends my powers. Should attempt
1t your readers ould think me running
lnto rhapsodies; though, if | did, might
find countcnancc IN the department of
-ome Of the Delegates, as they salu,ed the
groups who were looking down upon them
with smiles aud sparkling eyes; besides, it
was my good fortune to Y lness the pro-
cession at the adoption of the Federal Con.
s:lutlon, SO Can plead nothing on the
score OF youthful fire. Suffice it to say,
that all the beauty of Baltimore, acknowI.
edged as i, is, and every where celebrated
"vas there in perfection and prolusion, story
sbove story, and in some cases on the roofs
themselves. Nor were the ladies' content
with having handk e, chiefs aud wells, their
own appropriate ensigns, to wave in token
Of joyful welcome. Their slender hands
bore stats with banners, which l1,,6fIerf1
responsive TO The music, and<were ora
ciousIy waved in RECOGNITION of the sa-
lntes made to thep.1npyy the standard bearers.
Enthusiastic cheers rent the air, at those
spots especially where bevies of these fair
spectators were gathered in more numer-
Gus groups, or where there existed some
mysterious Tie between the marchers below
and the little ertempore divinlies who
looked downfro above upon the display
ot their patriotism. Along the curbs tones
were other lines Of women, children, boys
and colored persons, who remained sta
'tIonary; while the intervening space was
kept in a state Of perpetual motion, hux
and renux, by the countless passengers
and gazers who were necessarily moving
IN opposite directions, and struggling TO
get past each ether. these crowds con-
tinued to increase rapidly up to the time
when 'she procession began TO move. Its
approach was, as usual, heralded by those
never-fa:lins premonitories, the boys
mingled, however, in this case, for great
distance ahead, with hosts Of men, on foot
and on horseback.
The Procession itself was noble heart
:sttsEing spectacle; it occupied nearly two
hours in passing, and extended at least
two miles in length. The members
walked in open order, generally eight a
breast, and were az companied by marshais
ON horseback, bearing scars across their
persons, aud carrying giIded hatons in their