Eastern times. [volume] (Bath, Me.) 1846-1857, 1852-09-30
Meeting at Augusta.

although sparsely populated with democrats
and redundant with whisgery in the proportion
of near five to one, being the centre OF old
federal Kennebec, turned out its democratic
population masse.
A procession was formed at the depot, num-
bering near eight hundred persons, and with a
band of music marched to the State House, in
front of which, on the granite steps, platform
had been erected for the speakers. The streets
were gaily decorated with the stars and stripes.
A steamer arrived from Bath, freighted with
delegates, and another from WaterviIle. The
streets resounded to the noise OF cannon and
huzzas, and the notes of martial music and the
waving of banners, rendered the scene one Of
excitement and JOY Even the wings of that
centre of wing influence Notwithstanding their
long drawn faces, looked more surprised than
vexed to see such crowd of sterling, demo
cratic looking men in the streets
The convention assembled in front of the
State House about eleven o'clock. The bal
| cony was crowded with ladies, the stone steps
below were covered, and almost a sea of heads
covered the slopes in front. Gov. Hubbard
was elected President of the Convention, and
the Presidents of all the democratic clubs in
the State, were chosen Vice Presidents. Six
Secretaries were chosen. Gov. H., on taking
the chair, was received with enthusiasm, and
responded in neat speech. Lot NJ. Morrill,,
Esq, of Augusta, introduced the following res
olutions:
ResoIred, That we cordially approve the
nomination OF the Baltimore democratic con-
venton for president and vice president of
the United STATES, and the platform of prin-
cIples announced 10y thar convention; that
we recognize the nominees MS incorruptible
democrats, capable and faithful 10 the con-
sIltulOn that the selection of Franklin
Pierce for our standard bearer, is not only
just tribute OF respect 10 him, but comph-
ment 10 the democracy of the north that
touches the pride and swells the heart OF
every patriotic son of New England.
ReS0lUed, That coming together in a spir-
il of devotion TO the doctrines and faith of
The democratic party, as exhibited in its life
and history, we have at this time no new
parry creed 10 propose-no new platform 10
erect; but pointing proudly to lis policy, for
ei9n and domestic, which has carried the
country forward from small beginnings 10
unparalleled grandeur and power, we are
content with the country it has given us,
the faith in free institutions and popular
forms of government with which it has in
spirited the people and the hopes Of coming
prosperity, progress and national glory il
holds out 10 the future of our common coun-
try.
Hon. HANNIBAL HAMLIN made the first
speech. 1t was one of his best and happest
efforts-dignifed, patriotic, with here and
there touch of the sarcastic in language and
manner of telling effect. Dlr. Hamlin is the
best stump speaker in Maine.
Gen. JOHN A. DIX, of New York, followed
Mr.. Hamlin in speech of logical force and
ability rarely surpassed. lie was listened to
with much attention. Gen. Dix is one of the
! most prominent and influential democrats of
the State of New York, and few men are bet
ter acquainted with the financial and CONNER
cial affairs of the country.
At the conclusion of Gen. Dix's speech, the
convention adjourned to the Augusta House,
where all present were invited to partake of
free collation. prepared by the liberal hearted
democrats of the city of Augusta.
In the afternoon, Hon. ]. w. BRADBURY first
took the stand and made an interesting speech,
though laboring under physical disability to
which many speakers are subjected when
speaking in the open air.
Hon. PIERRE SoULE, Senator to Congress
| from Louisiana, followed. Much interest was
apparent to hear Mr.. Soule, whose reputation
r. 4 1 II
political gatherings. He made brilliant
speech of nearly two hours, and the crowd
hung upon his lips as if by magic. His for
eign accent and the roundness and smoothness
and elegance of his sentences, combined with
the popularity of his personal appearance, and
the strange manner in which he speaks and
emphasizes his thoughts in his countenance,
made him the observed of all observers. Few
men are better acquainted with the political
history of this country than Mr.. S. His
! speech was one of the best we have ever heard;
and dare say there was not man that
heard him on this occasion but what felt proud
of him as an American adopted citizen and an
American Senator. AS Mr.. Soule was closing,
about half past o'clock, the cry was raised
that JOHN VAN RUREN, Esq, of New York,
had arrived. IIurrah after hurrah followed
the announcement, and Mr.. Soule closed with
an eloquent peroration to the crowd and a
smile of recognition to Mr. Van Buren,.
Mr.. Van Buren, left New York the night be-
fore and arrived in Boston in season to take
the seven o'clock morning train for Augusta,
arriving about o'clock, having been about
eighteen hours on the journey from New York
to Augusta. He walked from the depot to the
State House. half mile, made speech of over
one hour i'll length, took the cars again at six
o'clock, and spoke before the Hickory Club in
Portland the same evening. John stepped
upon the platform with the air and bearing of
an old soldier. After the tumultuous cheers
that greeted his appearance had subsidized, he
came right on to the subject of his connection
with free soilism, in his fluent and easy style,
and proved conclusively from the Buffalo plat
form, and the recent action of Congress in the
passage of the compromise resolutions, and the
admission of California, that the thunder of that
party had exploded. He then showed his con-
sistency in going in, heart and soul, for PIE cE
and ING-fortiticd himself in an impregnable
position, and piled argument upon argument to
show that every democrat that supported Van
Buren, in lS4S, is bound to enrol himself in the
democratic army of 1852. He took up the his
tory of what is now called the wing party,