The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1855-04-28
The Meeting on Saturday Evening

There was a very full meeting of our citi
zcns at the court house on Saturday even
ing, to take measures to wrest the manage
ment of our city affairs from the hands of an
irresponsible midnight conclavc. The boast
OF the know nothings that our people must
submit to be governed by whatever men
their leaders may deign TO select in their noe
turnal garnet or cellar eonyenticles, has
aroused feeling that will bring the question
directly to the issue, whether our elections
shall be conducted on the good, old, open,
daylight plan, or whether officers are to be
forced upon us Of whom the people never
heard as candidates until the morning of the
election, and whose merits no opportunity
has thus been afforded to canvass. We
were glad to see the good spirit and harmo-
ny that prevailed at the meeting, and that
men Of all parties participated in its pro-
ccedings
The meeting was called to order by J. o.
Glover, Esq, on whose motion WIZ. NJ.
TRrE, Esq, was appointed chairman, and on
motion of a. +. Dow, JrLius AVERY was ap-
pointed secretary
Mr. Reddick, being called upon, stated the
object of the meeting. He portrayed with
considerable energy and ability the character
ofthc know nothing organization, and held
it the duty ofcvery good citizen to oppose any
such species of political machinery.
Mr. Glover was next called out. He lie.
nounced the order in his usually pointed and
energetic manner He arraigned them as
an organization prepared to sacrifice every
measure or principle for the sake Of obtain
ing Office and power. In proofhe instanced
the course Of the know nothing organ in this
city. Up to few months ago the "Rcpub-
lican" had been known as open and bold in
its advocacy Of the peculiar doctrines Of the
Republican party" as an aati-Nebraska
and ant-slavcry sheet. uttering with appar-
ent sincerity the EDITORS sentiments on the
leading questions Of the day. But since
Know Nothngisin had taken the concern in
its keeping, ike the order itself, it had is-
nOrcd all these great questions, and instead
was engaged with them in putting Sam
Houston, and in the puerilc and pitiful cru
sade against Catholics and foreigners. He
denounced this whole unprincipled Office
mongcring policy, and declared his willing
ness to vote for personal or political OPP.
poncnt, he cared not Of what stripe, from
Seward down, in preference to men who
thus bascly ignored every principle for the
mere sake Of getting into power.
On motion Of Mr.. Glover committee Of
nine was then appointed without distinction
ofparty, to nominate to the meeting peo.
pies candidate to be supported at the ap'
preaching election for Mayor. The commit
tee was appointed as follows; VIM. Red
dick, DR.. Hard, A. F. Dow, w. Lockwood
j. Wood, J. o. Glover, W. l.. Gibson, j.
b. Ford, W. Bushnell, and ]. Stephens.
During the absence of the committee the
meeting was addressed in brief and pointed
speeches by G. II. Norris, Esq, d. p Jones
ESQ, and Capt. Staddcn.
had agreed on recommending to the meet
ing the name Of GEO. II. NORRIS as cand
date for Mayor. On motion the nomination
was unanimously confirmed; and another
motion having been made that tho meeting
unanimously pledge themselves to supper
the nominee, Rev. Geo. Schlosscr stated that
while he opposed the know nothings with al
his might for ignoring the great questions
the day, he should feel bound to oppose any
other party that stood on the same ground
The question of temperance he imagined wa
ono ofparamount importance at this time
and as the Mayor Of the city would hav'
much to do in executing the laws, he shoul'
like to know before pledging himself, some
thing about the views Of the nominee on tina
question. Mr. Norris, being thus called out
replied that, although he was unable to SO,
how the question was directly involved il
the issue at present, as the Mayor was no
under our laws judicial officer, yet he be
lieved he needed no certificates in this com
munity to prove that he had always been
consistent temperance man, having tastet
no liquor for ID years, and belonged. he be
iicvcd to every temperance organization go
up here, within that time.
After some further remarks from Mr.. Red
dick aud others, the motion was carried
when the meeting adjourned, giving tire
cheers for the nominee.
GRocsRlrs. The advertisement Of MI
Montgomery is enough to give one an il