The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1854-09-12
From the Chicago Tribune
THE GREAT "vINDICATI0N MEETING.

Douelas Body Guard Irish Backers-The Flags a
Half Mast-Bells Toed-Downfall of Stephen A
| douglas Nebraska Swinde Repudated-A Gran,
Fizzle-Groans for Douglas Cheers for the Tri
| bune-The Triumph of the Peope-Po ticans un
| der Par.
AT quite an early hour on yesterday mornin.
a very perceptablo degree of excitement wa
observable among all classes of our ctizens.-
The certainty of the fact that Stephen A. Doug
las would attempt in the evening, to vindicat,
himself from the charges which tho city o.
Chicago the State of Illinois, and the Who'll,
northern confederacy had brought against him
the well grounded opprehcnsions entertained
OF undue and reprihensbe means resolved up
on TO choke the real sentinel of the city, ant
to subdue the expressions of the opinions o
her citizens at any cost; the fact of an organi
zaton of body of men under the name o
Douglas Body Guard, for tho purpose of aid
ing in and perfecting this suppression of tn,
peoples rights; and the numerous rumors OF
every shade relative 10 tho meeting and the
course to be adopted thore all aidel TO smell
the ide of excitement. Tho matter formed
the most exclusive subject of conversation
and remark, and although every one appeared
determined to resist to the last any attempt tC
misrepresent the people of Chicago in the eye:
of the country, yet so conflicting were the ru
mors, and so various the opinions that no def
mite plan of action on the part of tho citizens
could be determined on. The weather was
oppressive TO the last degree. and the heat be
ing moro severe than any wo have yet expert.
enced this summer.
At about four o'clock, reliable information to
that effect having been obtained. the following
handbill was issued, and added greatly to the
excitement already raging.
| IRISH BODY GUARD ORGANIZED!
AMERICAN CITIZENS BEwARE!!
AT meeting held al tho Office of tho notori.
Gus Charles O'Mally, on tho North side of the
river, on the last evening, Collector Snowhook
acting in Chairman, Tceive Lishmea from each
ward were elected 10 act as Il special Body
Guard at the North Market Hall this evening
Shall the voice Of the free citizens be stifled
in this way:
During the afternoon the Railroad trains
brought. in some hundreds of Douglas men
from the country, which had been sent for in
order that their presence might intinidate the
citizens. The majority of these persons were
from Springfield and that neighborhood.
The flags of all the shipping in port were
displayed at haf-mast shortly after noon. and
remained there during the remainder Of the
day. There can be no doubt of the feeling
entertained toward The recrcont Douglas.
At II quarter past six The bolls of tho city
W toll, anu 10 Ull tue
air With their monrnfu. tones for more than
an hour. The city were an air of mourning
for tho disgrace which her Senator was seek
ing TO impose upon her, and which her citizens
have determined 10 resent at any cost.
The Douglas Caba up to late hour yestcr-
day afterr aon, issued no public call for their
meeting, bot did oil their work in secret
They worked with tlat Jesnitical policy for
which their loader is so d5servcdly calculated,
and had all their arrangements well and skill
fully perfected Their last and most eff, ctive
move was to give the Irish twenty-five cents
per head to attend the meeting, and follow
the heck and rod of 'heir leader Towards
sundown on last evening, the following pacard
Vas issued by order of Douglas, which was
the only call made for the meeting:
"The Hon. Stephen A. Douglas will address
the people of Chicago on the principles of the
Nebraska Bill at North Market Hall, this
evening
AS tn Q last sounds Of tho tolling bells died
away, the citizens began to turn their faces to-
ward the north, and the streets were soon
lined with an eager and excited crowd, hasten
ing toward tho North Market Hall, where tho
long boosted vindication was 10 take place.
1t appears that, as we intimated on yestcr-
day morning, the courage of the Douglas Ca
bal failed them, and they did not dare to put
tn cir first plan of packing the EIa II with their
own adheren's, into execution. They had O.
rectod platform in front of the Hall, and the
audience gathered quickly and in immense
numbers, in the space before and around it.
The entire space, extending from Clark to Bear
born Street, and over the ground just before
the Hall, was crowded. and it is very mode
rate estimate to say tba, there were not less
than eight thousand citizens present.
We heard somo gentleman, whose opinion
IN such matters is good, place the number at
a larger figure, but it could not be less than
tho number we have stated
When we arrived upon tho ground we found
that nothing had yet peen done, and we took
the opportunity of passing through the crowd.
and inspecting its character. We found it to
DO composed, IN very large degree, of tho
very best cases of our community; our mar
rlners, shippers, merchants. mechanics and pro-
fesslonal men. They we're all in n good hu-
NOR, willing 10 listen 20 what Douglas could
say, II spoken in a respectful manner, but de-
tcrminod at every hazard to express their dis
appreciation Of his course and to prevent him
from saying that Chicago had endorsed him.
The platform was filled by the Douglas Body
Guard. and by several personal and political
friends of Judge Douglas.
Among those upon il we noticed Thomas
itoyne ESQ, u. >. DlstrIct Attorney: isaac
Cook, Post Master; c. S. Cameron. Admins
tration toady; Wm. Bross OF the Dem. Press;
Eli. B. Williams, receiver of public monies;
WIN. M. Jackson, late receiver of public mon
les, and would bo Nebraska candidate for Con-
grcss for the first District. and John. L. Pey
ton, Esq. Of Virginia. self Reconstructed advisor
There wero many other gentlemen occupy ing
similar high stations, but wo writc in great
haste. and they mu-t pardon MS if we do not
give them equal notoriety with their ilus,ri-
ous compeers.
At a little past the hour appointed for COM
mencoment of tho proccodir gs Major Milliken,
who was supposed TO be tho presiding officer
of the meeting, appeared on the platform, took
off his hat, and said:
"FELLow CTTIzENs:-This assemblage has
assembled TO listen to some romarks by Sena-
tor Douglas upon somc subjects which has in
us very much. II is expected that
those who are opposed to the remarks about
to be made, will remain silent and moi disturb
tho meeting"
This Grafton was received with marks oe APP
probation by the crowd and then Senator Doug
las camc formard He was received in entire
silence, and was allowed to sneak several son