The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1854-09-15
Judge Douglas at Chicago.

The Chicago papers of Saturday morning last
contain full particulars of the successful attempt
OF an organized gang OF abolition rowdles to DIS
turb public meeting which had assembled IN that
city, on the preceding evening, for the purpose
of hearing Judge Douglass promised address on
the Nebraska question. The following account Of
this dissraceful outrage the constitutional rights
Of an American citizen is copied from the Chicago
Times:
The MEETING LAST NIGHT.-During the whole
Of yesterday the expected meeting Of last night
the universal topic Of conversation. Crowds
Of visitors arrived by the several trains from the
surrounding cities and towns, forn as for oO
Detroit and St. Louis, attracted by the announce.
ment that Judge Douglas was to address his con-
stituents.
During the afternoon The Tribune, true to its
fendish instinct, issued, last effort 10 create
dstur bance an infammatory handbill, headed
by the exciting words:
Organization of the Irish body guard
Asserting that an IRISH body guard had been or
ganized to prevent Americans entering or partIcI.
pating in the meeting.
The effect produced by this and other nefari-
GUS means on the public mind will be seen here
after.
In consequence of the extreme heat of the wea-
ther il was deemed advisable 10 hold the meeting
on the outside OF the hail. instead of the interior,
as had been announced.
At early candelight throDg Of eight thousand
persons had assembled at the south part Of North
Market Hall.
At the time announced the mayor of Chicago
called the assembage to order, and Judge Dougla
then addressed the meeting. We have been una
ble to prepare IN time for this mornings paper a
full report of the speech.
During thus far o: his remarks he was frequent.
ly n;urrupted by the gang of abolition rowdies, in
| cited thereto by the Infamous appeals which for
weeks have been made 10 them by the organ in
| this city. Whenever he approached the subject
of the Nebraska bill, an evidently we'll organized
and drilled body of men, comprising about one
twentieth of the meeting, collected and formed
into a compact body, refused to allow him to be
heard. They kept up this disgraceGul proceeding
until after 10 o'clock, refusing most deerminedIy
10 allow one word uttered to be heard by the resi-
of the meeting.
In vain did the Mayor Of the city appeal 10 their
sense Of order, but they refused to let him be heard
Judge Douglas, Notwithstanding the uproar OF
hese hreliDgs, proceeded at intervals. He :od
them that he was not unprepared for their conduct
He had day or two since received letter written
by the secretary Of an organization framed since
his arrival in this city, for the purpose of prevent
ting him from speaking. This organization re-
quired that he should leave the city or keep silent
and if he disregarded this notice the organization
pledged, at the sacrifice of life, to prevent his
being heard.
He presented himself, he said, and challenged
the armed gang to execute upon him their mur.
derous pledge. The letter having been but mper.
fec,ly heard, it's reading asked by of the
orderly citizens present, but the mob refused 10 lei
it be read.
At length, at 1Oa o'clock, yielding to the earn.
| est appeals of his friends, Judge Douglas withdrew
from The stand