American union. [volume] (Morgantown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1855-1859, 1856-10-11
cerr.spend..e. Of the american Union. .
FAIRMoNr, Oct. 8, 1856.

Fillmore Clue.
Mr.. EDIToR:--Last Saturday was
great day for the Americans of Wes-
tern Virginia. 1t had been announ-
ced but few days that there would
be a great Mass Meeting at Mounds
vile, in Marshall county, on that day,
and that the renowned and inimitable
Hon. HENRY WINTER DAVIS, of Ma
ryland would be there. Mr.. Davis
name will attract crowd any place &
at any time, and of course it did on
this occasion. j had heard so much of
this American champion that / was re-
solved to hear him at Moundsville; and
| accordingly, in company with three
or four others, got into the train here
on Saturday morning, and after three
hours rapid ride, found myself on
the platform in Moundsyille, where 1
met and was introduced to MIR. ID. he
having just got off the train with us,
though we did not know he was aboard.
We accompanied the crowd to Lanes
Hotel, where Mr.. Davis was introdu-
ced to large number of persons who
were anxious to see him and listen to
the musical voice that has dealt SO ma
ny death blows to the so-called demo-
cratic party. Mr.. Davis is middle
aged man, say s feet s inches high, &
to describe him in as few words as pos
sible, l would just say, that he is all
In all, one of the finest built men / ey-
er saw, round, we'll formed and active,
and | would judge between 30 and IS
years of age. He wears fine mus
tache, and the rest of his face being
clean shaved, gives him bold, but
pleasing and almost fascinating express
sion. His eye is keen and brilliant,
and seems to look to the very SOUL
His manners are of the most easy and
graceful kind and make all feel at ease
in his presence. All in all, he is one
of the handsomest men in the country
and beyond all doubt the most eloquent
man of the age.
have been thus particular to des-
cribe Mr.. Davis and if l have succeeded
in giving his many admirers an idea of
his looks, shall be satisfied. Now
for how he speaks.
In company with two or three friends
| took q stroll over town and made
the acquaintance of several of its hos
pitable citizens. A friend invited us
to dinner and after replenishing the
Sinner man" from most excellent dim
ner, we lighted Havana and went
our way to the Fair grounds, enclosing
the celebrated Mound, from which the
town takes its name. At the foot of
the mound and facing the principal
part of the enclosure, was erected the
speakers stand, over the front of which
was suspended the names of Fillmore
and Donelson. 1t being too early for
the speakers to commence, we took the
path that wound round the ground, &
assembled to the top. Here we had
delightful view of the town and the
beautiful Ohio. On the top of the
mound, which is about 100 feet high,
stands an old dilapidated, conical-sha-
ped house, written over with the names
of persons from all parts of the habi-
table globe. While wandering round
the beautiful spot, we stumbled upon
Messrs. Davis and Partridge, lying un-
der the shade of tree sound asleep.
We reused them up and had pleasant
chat. Soon however, the booming of
cannon and the enchanting strains of
the Bellair band announced that the
time for speaking had arrived. Down
the hill we now turned our way and as
we emerged from the woods at the bot
tom, we beheld "sea of heads" COW
ering almost the entire grounds, whilst
the notes Of "Hail Columbia" swelled
loud and long from the band in the
speakers stand. Alfred Caldwell, ESQ
of Wheeling was chosen President and
also number of vice presidents.
The President came forward and
said he had the honor to introduce to
tbs assemblage that inimitable cham
pion of Americanism, Hon. Henry
Winter Davis, of Baltimore. Mr.. D.
came forward and was greeted with
rounds of applause. He began his
speech--and here I had as well stop,
sor | despair of giving even tolerable
idea of his peculiar powers of eloquence
Aye, eloquence is weak word and
cannot express the half of what one
feels when listening to his words. He
is an orator in the EXTREMIST sense of
that word. Eloquence thrilling and
powerful flows from him as naturally
as water flows from fountain. He
was laboring under severe hoarseness
owing to his constant speaking, but e.
ven with this difficulty, his voice was
sweet and musical. 10 say that he is