Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1850-03-29
Grand Temperance RalIy---A. G. barry.

DURKEE House, March Ct. 1850
Mr.. Editor-Last night was proud night for
Racine-a proud night for the cause of Tempe
rance. Arriving in the afternoon | found The
good people every where discussing the pros-
pecuye entertainment of the evening. On IN
curing the cause of so much stir, it was replied
to me: "Nhy Mr.. Barry is to speak on tempe
rance this evening, at the Court House-there
VIII be great ruSt-go early" Alb )ut O'clock
| cfoWds OF men, wcmeI and children could bis
seen making their way to the cour, house Par
taking OF the general mania, | iosted into the
| crowd ara was carried to the court house Long
before the hour had arrived the house was crow
ded IN every seat, aisle, nook and corner. and
hundreds were crowdng around the door vainly
endeavorlng to get within. Willie .he audience
was thus waiting one of the officers of the eve
nng made BIS way into the aisle and said that
" the Sons of temperance in Il body are below
ana three hundred other persons crowdinc about
the steps, and there are cries for Barry to speak
from the window" To this Mr. b. consented,
but the crowd within would not suffer him 10 90
Two speakers were sent below TO harangue the
multitude from the steps. Order being restored
the exercises were opened with PRAYER by Rev.
Timothy Hopkins. There were present three
musical choirs, one of which followed the open.
iug Prayer by an appropriate ode.
All eyes were now turned toward the desk,
and none more anXously than my own had
heard OF Mr.. Barry talents as a speaker and ad-
m!rcd his writings, but had never had the plea
sure OF listening Ia his eloquence. The Chair
man announced him when h arose-n tall,
slight fame thoughtful earnest coun enance,
with modest mgn. From wEa' had learned Of
the speakers talent, expected to hear fine ad.
dress. well constructed, and replcte with useful
suggestions. was moi disappointed in this res.
pcct. The speaker without any ATTEMPT at dis
play, and without preliminaries, dashed at once
INTO the midst Of his subject. He spoke not of
the results which ianCitul curiosity wrought out
bat o! tie teachings of sober reason founded up-
On facts, aLc9t the truth Of which thorc was no
dispute, nor can BE- lie spoke with and in con-
formity to reason, mildly yet frm!g, and in the
language OF true elogUcnce The beautiful eu-
phony ct his speech was equal TO the harmony
OF verse, yet 1t was stern argument, made TO
live and breathe" by forensic eloquence
The finale of his address was one Of the most
eloquent passages 70 the recital Of which ever
listened. may al my leisure, furnish you with
an abstract Of the address.
The audience though crowded, listened with
profound attention to the close The orator ap.
pears to be !ayoriye with the people of Racine /;
as his manners and talents justly entiile him to
BE-
At the close Of the address and music by the
brass band in attendance. The Gee class of
Mr.. Hills, sung cne o. the most me o1icus gecs
10 W.ich | ever iistereJ-&itar viii h there was
a general and enthusiastic call for "a song from
fill,is.' ibis was given, When the mee,ing adj
lodrned 10 TINS evening, 10 accommodate the
crowd who hal not b,el able to get within.
] The cause otTempcrance has received an i'm
octus ~ Racine which will tell upon lis progress,