Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1855-08-24
Our Republican Mass Meeting.

Last Saturday was day which will long
be remembered by the people Of Saudusky
County. as the tine when the largest meeting
ever heretofore known in the cOanty for political
purposes took place i was a joyful, heart
cheering day for the friends Of Freedom and Re-
form. 1t demonstrated to the enemIes Of the
Republican cause, that the love Of Freedom and
Justice has not departed from our peopIe-that
the soil of Fort Stephenson, where the friends
Of our country and her freedom periled their
lives and shed their blood, is still fertile for pat
riotism.
The number in attendance is estimated at
from 1000 to 5000 persons, (and some even
higher;) composed Of the staunchest and best
men and women Of the county. Compared with
the number who assembled to hear His Excel
lency, the Governor of Ohio exiOl foreigners
above native-bOrn people, there was ten to one.
The farmers and many of their wives, the me-
chsnics, the professional men, the hardy sons Of
labor, in short, THE PEOPLE, the tax bur
densd, slavery-hating PEOPLE were out, en-
nGsse. They came TO listen and learn, and they
did listen and learn; and we believe the facts,
the rsasonings and the eloqusncs they heard,
has kindlsd new light to guide them and
strengthen the determination in the hearts Of
the people, to go toward in the cause of Free
dom and Reform. They learned by indisputs-
BILE facts and arguments that whatever dsmOc-
racy has heretofore been, it means nothing
now but high taxes and slavery extsnsiOni that
potent word is losing its charm BY being PrOsti-
tuted to the basest uses.
The effect of this grand gathering was visi-
BILE on the countenanees Of the leading few
Pierce and Msdill Office holders and ofice-sesk-
ers hsreabOuts. 1t was observed on all hands
that their faces were too long to be goOd-IOOk-
ing. They appeared miserable. But there was
different degrees Of misery observable. By far
the worst looking countenancss were seen on
the prop ietOrs of the Secret Peftion and a da-
rii Factory recently discovered in our town.
Next to them in order of suffering and sOiemnity,
came the slavery and Medill candidates for Of
fee. But let us draw the curtain over these
pictures of hate and despair. Grief is sacred
and forbids imPertinenee, and, besides, such bad
looking faces ought not to be exposed to the
public lest they be unfortunately transmitted to
pOsterity.
On the morning Of the Sd of August, the FIR
ing of can non summoned the friends Of slavery
and taxation to hear Gov MedilI apologize for
the misconduct of his party, and stimulate our
fereign-born fellow citizens to hate with deep
er hatred, every one who would not support
him (MedilD and his cause. They came,
meager, solemn, few;-ofice-holde:s, Office
seekers, and some foreign-bOrn citizens, and
were acknowledgement to hate more, and
the others to lie and equivocate with greater
skill
On The 18th the firing Ofthe same gun, called
the friends OffreedOm. They came from every
quarter, with drum and fife, and banners ana
band, on foot, on horses, 10 wagons and casr'a-
ges. They were greeted with LOUD eu-za', and
tbs enthusiasm that could not be controlled. %
They assembled and listened to sound reason
;nr inst and true exposition and application Of
The doctrines of Thomas Jefferson and other
fathers of the Republic, to the issueof freedom
or slavery now before the people. They listen
ed enchainsd by that fsrvid elOquence which
lsnds itself only to truth aud right. They dis