The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1856-09-12
THE MEETING OF THE MASSES.

widest xpectation-infnitely ahead OF any
political demonstration before witnessed in
the State, not excepting ever memorable
1910, when nearly all creation turned out to
shout for "Tippecanoe and Tyler too" 1t
was not only grand and imposing in the
mighty strength aud unmistakeable signif-
canoe Of its numbers, but doubiy so in the
order Of its arrangements, in the array Of
brilliant speakers present. and in the inter-
est and enthusiasm Of the myriad multitudes
who had come together to show their devo-
tion to their country and the deep anxiety
they have for the success Of the man whose
election is essential to relieve it from the dan.
gers and difficulties which misrulehas brought
upon it. But it is useless to amplify-the
people were there from all directions-from
the mountains and valleys and coves Of East
Tennessee-fronl the Middle and Western Di-
visions Of the State--from the sunny South.
Georgia, Alabama. Kentucky, and North
Carolina all had their representatives present,
not as idle spectators drawn together by mere
curiosity. but as active participants in the
proceedings Of the occasion. They came to
mingle with and see what we were doing
here in East Tenuessee--to see how the cause
Of the country was rogressing-whether the
patriotic fires which burned so brightly on
our mountains and hill.tops in 40 and "A
were still glowing-they came hoping and
doubling, and have returned to their homes,
exultant. buoyant, confident, with the bright
unerring and significant realities which
greeted their patriotic hearts on every
hand and gave them assurance that in East
Tennessee at least, the people are of one
thought, one mind, and one determination
to elect FILLMORE, as the only and effectual
means Of crushing out and destroying section.
alism North and South, restoring peace and
quiet to che country, and saving and perpetu-
ating the Union.
But we must hasten on. The people com.
mencej gathering on Tuesday evening, and at
night were addressed by Hon. Mr.. Belser, Of
Alabama in an sble and argumentative man
ner. All through Wednesday crowds were
arriving, and when the evening train on the
East Tennessee and Georgia road arrived, the
capacious streets Of the town were filled to
overlooking with patriotic hearts who were
making the welkIn roar with shout after
shout for "Fillmore and the Union" On
Wednesday night stirring and telling speech
es were made by Horace Maynard, Esq. and
Col. 30. G.. Pickett. On Thursday morning
two large trains on the East Tennessee and
Georgia road and two on the East Tonnes.
see and Virginia road arrived, freighted with
thousands, and the crowds poured in from the
contiguous country, and kept pouring in, and
it seemed to us that they never would stop
coming. Where they oil came from we know
not; but we know they were there-such
multitudes as we never before saw assembled
on any occasion. The procession commenced
forming early under the direction of Major
General Brazelton, assisted by Gems Brooks
and Caswell. and other Aids, and marched,
with waving banners and thrilling music
through the principal streets Of the town to
the Stand en- Methodist Hill, where thousands
had assembled before the procession began to
form. We wish we could give our friends
abroad some idea of the imposing array-but
we are not able to do it, and shall not try.
It was one of those grand displays of living
and intelligent masses of men, with horses,
wagons, carriages, flags, banners, music, de-,
that take captive and absorb the attention,
and, like the laundering cataract, or the ma
jestic mountain. with the volcano in full
blast. must be heard and seen to be fully APP
preciated.
We estimated the number on the hill at
eighteen thousand-others go higher. It is
sufficient that the entire ground was packed,
full, and that every mans heart was full to
running over with patriotism and zeal for the
cause. And the Women, ''heavens last best
gift"--the most potent auxiliaries in all
great and good works-were present in large
numbers and beauteous array, to listen to the
eloquence Of the advocates Of the cause they
honor by their support--the cause they hold
SO closely at heart. o
When the long and immense procession had
surrounded the stand, which was tastefully
decorated with flags and evergreens, Gen. W.
7. HASKELL was introduced to the multitude
and addressed them for four hours in strain
of eloquence and argument never surpassed
and indispensable. He took entire posses.
sion of his hearers right at the start, and for
all that time held them enchanted, as it we're
transixed. His speech was one Of those
grand, massive, thrilling, compact and con.
vincing efforts such as Haskell only can make
and such as would enlist and carry away any
audience in the world. He had much repu-
tation as an orator, but he surpassed all ex
pectation on Thursday-yea. surpassed him
self. 1t was a speech that would do to listen
to, to hear, but which no pen can report; and
if he had never made one before, and should
never make another, that one would forever
embalm him in tie hearts Of the countless num-
bers that for four hours hung upon his lips,
as the first Of living orators. Eloquent it
was. argumentative, compact, and impressive,
stirring the heart to its innermost depths,
and eliciting such burts of applause as but
few public speakers ever achieved.
When Gen. Haskell had concluded, large
numbers repaired to the tables and partook
Of the good things most beautifully prepared
by the people Of Knoxville and Knox county.