Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1856-09-10


made comparison between the citizens of
this country and those of Europe, showing
the superiority of our laws and condition, and
made an earnest appeal to the patriotism of
his hearers to frown down the sectional agi-
tation that was now convulsing our country
He closed by quoting Longfellow's ode to
the ship of State, which was received with
hearty cheers and enthusiasm by the crowd
Mr.. DICKINSON had been speaking at Tippe-
canoe, and was hoarse, which, together with
his long gray hair, gave him an appearance
of being unable to stand the fatigues of a
campaign; but he was strong in spirit, intel
ligence and love of country, and promised
"yeoman service" during the canvass.
Mr.. BRIGHT of Indiana, the President Of
the Senate followed Mr.. DICKINSON. His
speech was an argument upon the issues be-
tween the parties especially the doctrine of
Non-I Intervention. He has lived in Indiana
long enough to learn the science of stump
speaking, j. e., to win votes; and as point at
ter point was brought up and discussed by
him, at the conclusion of each there had
been an argument made so clear, so strong
and convincing as to defy all the sophisms of
all the Greeleys, Stewards Summers and
Beechers, there are in the Union. There
was no escaping from his conclusions, and his
speech had telling effect upon the crowd {;
such an one as facts clearly expressed and set
forth must have. He is the most effective
stump speaker ever heard; disdaining en-
tirely all traps and figures, not aiming to be
polished or graceful. He lays the founda-
tons of his argument as the artisan does that
of fort, deep and solid, and then builds up
by facts and reasoning until it is as impervi-
Gus to assault as the rock of Gibrater. Not
being wanted in Indiana, where they are all
democrats, he came into Michigan, where the
fusionists told them they were scarce. Judg
ing from the crowd that was present to hear
him, think he must have concluded that his
fusion friends walked good ways around the
truth when they made that report.
"The noblest Roman" of them all, our
honored, glorious old Senator, General CAss,
had with characteristic modesty, waited I'M
til the speakers from the other States had
done and then came forward. They had
each in their turn acknowledged his services
to his country, and spoke with deep feeling of
his character as a man and statesman, and
when he came out on the stand the crowd
were still for moment, and then went up
such cheer as could come only from the
hearts of men who felt with pride and graf
itude that the foremost man of all the nation
stood before them. The expression of feel
ing with which he was greeted was sufficient
to repay in that one minute every sacrifice
and toll he had ever endured in the service
of his country. No speaker could be greet
ed with a more cordial welcome and enthusi-
asm than was given by the multitude to him.
And the General felt it. The tremulousness
of his voice as he began was not caused by
age entirely, but the welcome he had receiv-
ed had touched the heart of the noble old
man, and as.he looked round on the throng,
who were so eager to listen to him, and saw
the respect and love which was felt for him
by the citizens of bis own State, an emotion
Of just pride, too strong for even his will to
control, for an instant had the mastery.
The General spoke as a true patriot who
felt that his country was indeed in peril, and
appealed to the love Of his hearers for the
Constitution and the Union, to stem this tide
of sectionalism which the republicans are try
ing to roll over the land His voice was not
strong enough to be heard by all the crowd,
and only heard part of his remarks, tho
he spoke with more than usual force and an
imation. His appearance alone was sufficient
to arouse an enthusiasm that was death
knell to fusionsm in this district.
In the evening we had meeting at the
Firemens' Hall, which was first addressed by
JAS. MILLER, of Grand Rapids. He gave
his reasons for being a democrat now, having
been an old line wing in the days when they
were. They of course were good, coming
from him; but his reasons for not being an