The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1844-07-23
THE MEETING AT GAiTHERsBURG.


We attended q meeting Of the Clay Club at
Gaithersburg, Montgomery County, Md, on Sa-
turday last, and were truly gratifed with the spi
fit manifested by the Wings of that part of the
county. Although the day was excessively warm,
yet we found on our arrival there some $50 or
800 persons assembled around some majestic
oaks, beneath the delightful shade of which a
stand had been erected for the speakers. Nor
were the young alone there to bear the heat and
burden of the day, but the totterng frame and
hoary locks of many present. amply testified the
undylng fervor Of their patriotism, which yet
glowed with all the warmth of bygone youth, and
told more eloquently than language can express,
the Importance of the contest which thus called
them from the peaceful secusion of years, once
more again, before going hence, to do their en-
beavers for their country. Amongst the most
venerable that we observed was patriot bowed
down by the weight of time, who fought in the
armies OF Washington during our struggle for in
dependence, and who though he was entitled to
pension, would not receive one cent-thus fol-
lowing the example of his immortal commander.
We had curiosity to know his sentiments in
81 fought the battles of my country in the Revo-
luton; myself and fellows soldiers were then
Wings; ! am yet in the faith of Washington, and,
with Gods blessing, aDiH Hue, auiH die a Wing"
The assemblage was called to order by Bowie
Davis, Esq, President of the Clay Club, who an
nounced that the meeting would be addressed by
their Representative in Congress, the Hon. j. M
S. Causin also, by one whom they had known
long and well, Joseph H. Bradley, Esq, of Wash
ington, and others who were present; whereup-
on MIR. Causin rose, and, for an hour and half,
enchanted the attention of his audience in one of
those happy and inimtable speeches with which
he is wont to delight the people of the adjacent
counties and District Of Columbia. He discussed
| the tariff with power and eloquence that we
have seldom heard so efectually exerted in behalf
OF that great and all-absorbng question. His
arguments were more convincing, because made
perfectly clear to the understanding of the most
lllIterate by illustrations taken from everyday
transactions and which occurs to every one in
the daily business he pursues-a mode of fixing
the attention Of the mind upon subjects of impor-
lance, which cannot be too strongly recommended
to the imitation of other speakers The manner
in which he contrasted the services of Polk and
Dallas with those of the great leader of the Wing
party, was truly whitening, and we wished more
than once for the requisites to take down some of
the spicy anecdotes that envened this part of the
speaking even the venerable persons of whom
we have before spoken caught the enthusiasm of
the moment, and their countenances glowed and
their eyes sparkled with the fire of youth whilst
sending up their hearty cheers in common with
the younger crowd by whom they were surround
ed. MI. Causin having resumed his seat,
JOS H. Bradley, Esq. arose, and was received
with many evidences of respect and esteem from
his numerous friends in the county of his old re-
sldence. Although he observed that his friend
who preceded him had stolen much of his thun-
der, yet from the many flashes that cleaned
around him, and from the bolts that he cast SO
thckly and heavily upon the opponents of the
lar'1 and distribution, one could easily perceive
that if the Etna of the contest had been before
nearly exhausted, nevertheless there were left
some lurking elements which could be perceived
and wrought out by dexterous hand, and their
power and effect made skilfully manifest to the
judgment OF his hearers. We have heard Mr.. B.
often at the bar, where he has so long stood emil
nent Tor logical acumen and legal learning, but
we have never heard him SO happy upon any oc-
casop, in convincing the understanding of his
hearers, as upon Saturday last, during the delive-
ry OF nearly an hours speech. The marked at
tentlon of the crowd could be perceived through
out. And here justice requires us to say, that
we have rarely seen meeting where there was
so much decorum, sound discrimination, and per-
the speaking Members of both parties were
present, yet no aspertes from either were heard,
and the little discussions that took place between
them were of the most mild and decorous sort.
After Mr.. Bradley had concluded, Messrs. Kill
gour and Patterson delivered brief addresses after
which MIR. Causin was again called to the stand,
and closed the meeting by making warm appeal
to his constituents to sustain their Gubernatorial
nomination, and observed that he was going to
give challenge, not to fight with darts spears
or hostile weapons but for majorites at the ballot
box. He, therefore, now challenged the Wings
of Old Montgomery to equal or beat the majority
of Old st. Mary's in October next,for Col. Thos.
G. Pratt of Prince Georges The challenge was
eagerly accepted by those present, and the hun
dreds of voices that resounded tive accept" I'VE
accept" loudly told that the contest will be warm
ly waged for the victor's wreath by those two
ancient and never atering Wing counties.
The meeting was enlivened during The evening
by the Glee Club of the place, who were joined
in chorus by nearly all present. There were Sc
veral in attendance who had seen the error of
th1t. e