Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1852-10-07
q POLITICAL.
From the Muscatine Journal, Sept. 25th
The Treaty Celebration.

The Treaty Celebration.
With many other citizens of our town
we attended the Mass Convention or
Rock Island, last Tuesday, 2lst inst,
which notwithstanding very unpropi.ious
weather, was very large. 1t is estima.
ted that from 1000 to 5000 persons
were assembled on the ground. This
considering the brief interim since the
celebration was suggested and the sparse
settlement of the country, was fully as
large as could be reasonably expected. -
But we will revert briefly to the prelim.
mary incidents of the occasion:
On Monday evening the Scott Club
meeting was unusually large and enthu-
sias,lc. We were not present during
the entire evening, and heard only the
closing Of Mr.. O'Connor's remarks,
which were received with continued and
joyful applause. After adjournment, a
procession was formed, which proceeded,
headed by band of martial music, to
the wharf, where the good steamer j.
Mckee was waiting. ..~
Next morning we found ourself in
Rock lsland-weather, comparatively,
'cold as Greenland" and wind blowing
perfect gale. Shivering and chat,ering
from the effects of the cold, we wended
our way towards the Rock Island House,
where many of our Muscatine folks had
already assembled. After breakfast. we
loitered about ar hour or SO, "seein the
sights" Ii. e. the Improvements of the
city, and then ''struck bee line" for
old Fort Armstrong. We found that
the good Wings had constructed ten
porary bridge Ia Ia mode Xerxes' over
the Hellespont,) from the boat-yart to
the Island. Having crossed the bridge,
we placed our foo, on the consecrated
spot made memorable on account of Gen.
Sco,t's great civil achievement jus, ,wen-
ty years before.
About half past ten, salute OF thir-
teen guns was fired, which was the sig-
nal for congregating at the Court House
IN Rock Island, preparatory to mare hing
over TO the Forts
AT last strain of music, "by distance
made more sweet" announced the ap-
proach OF the procession; and soon the
heightened train appeared, descending
the bank to the bridge. Several hours
passed before the entire multitude reach.
ed the Island. Many, in the meantime,
came over from Davenport in the ferry
boat and skifis. s- .......-
They formed in concentric circles a.
round the speakers stand; and after some
preliminaries, during which Hon. s.
Whicher was elected President, Henry
O'Connor was introduced TO the au-
dience, who proceeded to deliver one of
the most eloquent speeches we have
heard during the campaign. He discus
sed the main questions Of the day at
length. explaining lucidly and impress
ing torcibly on the minds of his hearers
the vital impor:once of Protective Tar
III, and OF general and economical sys.
tenn of Internal Improvements, etc. He
was frequently interrupted by the ap-
plause of "a sea of up,urned faces. -
The stand was next occupied by Gen.
U. +. Linder, of Illinois, who entertain
ed the audience for some time in the most
lively and agreeable manner. lie ex-
posed the affinity of Locolocoism and
British oppression, and warned the peo-
pie against contributing to British wealth
and power by practically accepting En-
glands Ito us) ruinous free trade princi-
pie. Both these speeches, in fact, were
TO The point: and we only regret our ia
ability 10 give any thing like an outline
of either.
After Gen. Linder had concluded, din
ner was announced. The tables were
erected under sheds, near the demoIish-
ed wall Of the Fort. The repast con-
sisted of an abundance of bread, roas,
beef and barbacued hogs, coffee, etc.
The ladies (of whom a pretty large
number were presen) were served first.
There was enough for all, however,
The citizens of Davenport and Rock Is.
land deserve praise for their liberality in
getting up this dinner. We understand
that the venerable Antoine LIE Claire, Of
Davenport, was the principal contribu-
tor.
After dinner. among other exercises,
an interesting letter from Hon. Edward
Bates was read, aud ex- Gov. Bebb made
few remarks, which were well receiv-
ed. Soon after this, motion for ad-
Journment was carried, when the meet
ing adjourned with three loud and pro-
longed cheers for Scott and Graham.
Taken as whole, the celebration was
grand affair, and, no doubt, much
good will result from il. The weather
having been SO disagreeable for several
days preceding it, so large turn- out
was not anticipated.
Old Fort Armstrong is situated a,
the extreme SOUTH western point of the
island of Rock Island, nearly midway
between the cities of Davenport and
Rock Island. 1t was built in lsl6.-I
Time has placed his seal of demolition