Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-09-22
Grand Democratic Demonstration !
Procession, Banners. Chickeh-C Cocks, &c.

Grand Democratic Demonstration
Procession, Banners. Chicken Cocks, &C.
Saturday last was great day with the Democ-
racy'of Augusta. HENRY A. WISE, the boosted
"Saladln ofthe cause" having been inviteditaad-
dress the peopleof Augusta, it was deemed ne
cessary to honor him and the occasion with some
thing 'leetle beyant common" and consequently
most extensive arrangements were made for amag
ncent reception of the great Soon dog" These
arrangements were concocted with great deal of
privacy, in order that the "Federal Wings" might
be struck dumb with surprise upon Witnessing a
demonstration so ''grand, gloomy and peculiar"
AS faithful chroniclers of passing events, we feel
bound to attempt a description of the magnificent
display, though We may not hope to give our read
ers even faint conception of the brilliant reality.
Early Saturday morning, large banner sus-
pended across Main Street greeted the vision of
astonished Wings. Upon one side of this banner
was printed, in large capitals "Democracy-E-
quail Rights" and on the reverse huge buzzard
or the carcature of an Eagle, we do not pretend
to say which, without referring to Audubon. In his
talons this nondescript bird held little flag bear
ing the inscription "Democracy"-a staff hanging
to the flag and the flag hanging to nothing, thus
presenting Democracy in reversed position,
apparently tending to the ground. Beneath pro-
tecting wings, might also be seen the following
motto in about the following form, which will
complete our description of the banner:
''THE UNION, THE CONSTR
TUITION
AND STATES RIGHTS"
If we have succeeded in giving correct idea of
the appearance of the banner and the position OF
its notices, it will be seen that it was appropriate
and expressive-representing Democracy as on the
decline, the Constitution broken in twain, and
States Rights under the special guardianship Of
Democracy, "growing small by degrees and beau
tfully less" until finally "whittled down to
point"()
| About eleven o'clock, while the admiring gaze
of many people was fixed upon the floating piece
of curtain calico we have attempted to describe,
strains of martial music burst upon their ears. and
presently a four-horse wagon filled with inflated
musicians hove in sight followed by small band
of pedestrians, with very pretty silk banner in
their van, and one-horse go-cart bearing load
of young Democracy bringing up the rear. We
pied the labors of that poor old horse, for super
added to the burden of human beings he was fore
ed to haul, was the increased weight of shame
faced rooster with his legs dragged through and
| Al. g inch ,lant nm
little end of what may have been bean pole
What we took to be the tail off red fox was either
affixed to the pole or to the rooster. In this strap
ped condition the poor chantcleer was hoisted In
the air and paraded through the Streets looking as
if he would taint and fall off every minute, but for
the manacles that bound him to "the platform. y
He hung his head, tucked his tail and was not
heard to say "cock doodle do! !" once during the
march. There was considerable difference of O.
pinion as to who this cowed chicken-cock was in
tended to represent. The general impression was,
however, that found in the rear of the forces and
tied on the seat to make him stick, he must have
represented Pierce in MEXICO. Others deemed his
position a very good illustration of PIERCE on the
Baltimore Platform, with his legs sticking through
the openings of that disointed concern, while the
fox-tail served as symbol of his close connexion
with MARTIN VAN BUREN-the fox CT Linden
wald.
Counting the rooster and the members ofthe Band,
there were certainly not more than eighty OF the
''unterrifed" in the procession; and as we cannot
with truth class the rooster with the uahe'7yted,
we fix the number at seventy-nine. We make
liberal estimate, many believing that there were
not more than fifty. In the order that we have
mentioned they marched through the principal
streets of the town, with all the regularity and pre-
cision of well-trained militia company. Atovery
corner volley of hurrahs mingled melodously
with the music of the Mt. Crawford Band. The
banner was held up conspicuousy at every point
of the compass, that none might fail to see, while
biuh above the crowd, in solemn silence and dig
nilied despair sat the afrghted rooser-the presi-
ding genius of the imposing scene. We have wit
messed no procession on so extensive scale since
the last anniversary of our National Independence
when party ofjovial patriots marched through our
StreetS 10 inc SUul ihuoiN va
bag pipe.
Proceeding to the Courthouse our good friends
of the procession found it filled to over flowing
mostly by Wings. Wepresume the chicken-cock
was crowded out, or he would have occupied a
place on the speakers stand, Immediately to the
rrht of the oratorof the day. We have not heard
from him since, but fear that he may not survive
the arduous labors of this long to be remembered
occasion. If he should fall sacrifice to Democra-
CIV, the party ought to wrap his carcass in COON
skin, lay it in handbook, bury him beneath the
shade of full-grown polk stalk, and raise to his
memory a monument of brickbats, inscribed with
the history of his distinguished public services.
Thus has passed away the great turnout and
tear-out of the Augusta Democracy. We do trust
that after the exhibitions of last Saturday we shall
hear no more from the press or the hustings of
.sFuss and Feathers" "Coon- Skins" and ''Hard
Cider" Having themselves initiated the canvass
of Chicken-cocks, all Wing need say when taunt-
ed with the "humbugs'' of $40 and 44,' is:
Cock doodle do a..
III belong to the "Coon" party
OF what party arc you!
|
A Precious Admission.
In estimating the benefits of the Mexican War,
Mr. WISE declared in his speech last Saturday,