Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1858-01-14
From the indianapolis journal.
Dem lYEcctiEas-.
DJus,a. III TIE Ascendant.

The call for meeting at the Hall of The
House last night was responded to by as
large crowd as we ever saw in the Hall.
Some fun was anticipated, and more went
than expected to be edited. Joseph w.
Chapman, Of Jefferson, one of Mr. Bright's
pets, was appointed Chairman. VIM. b.
Beach. of this city led off i'll short speech.
and was followed by John Petit, both on
the Buchanan side of the question, AMI for
n time the current seemed to run in their
favor furiouslv. 1t changed later in the
evening. We nccl not alludc further to
their efforts, as the features of the occa-
sion and the significant Indications were
the subsequent speeches. Henry Sccrcst,
of Putnam, came next, and in speech of
an hour or more presented the most COM
pact and impregnable argument on the
Douglas side Of the question that we have
heard or read anywhere. 1t was the argu-
mcnt of a reasoner, as well a politician,
and if MIR. Bright can answer it he deserves
to be Senator He changed the APP
parent feeling of the meeting completely,
and every point that penetrated the lie
compton defence was received with storm
of cheers. We never heard an effort that
commanded such instant and apparently
unanimous assent. When he corncred
j Ohm Petit on his former views of the
power of Congress over the Territories,
the pillars of the Hall fairly quaked with
the shouting. When he declared that civ
il war would follow the enforcement of the
Iccompton fraud the yell of assent was
deaicning. And when he intimatcI that il
Mr.. Bright could not reflect the will of the
people of the State he should resign, Bright
might have heard the answering cheers
clear to the Palmer House. The great die
tator never received a blow so fairly in the
face before, and surely no Democratic
meeting ever saw the blood come with suc
undisguised glce Douglas reigned Lord
of the ascendant from this time till the
close of the meeting. Noeulogy fell on in
attentive ears. Every word that touched
him kindly was joyous y received. There
was no hesitation or lukcwarmness in the
applause, where he was concerned. Mr.
Robert Lowry, of Elkhart, who followed
Secrcst, was more decided and uncompro
missing than that gentleman, but he never
said word amiss All that was Dougla.
fell on good ground, and brought forll
an abundant and rather embarrassing
crop Of applause. This decided feeling 70
the Little Giant was manifested ever
: more clearly during the speech of Mr.
, Hughes, who opposed him. Mr. Wal
lace was called out by portion of tn
audience, and Mr. Hughes by another por
ton. The appearance of Hughe4 on TIN
; stand was the signal for yell for oval
lace" from the Douglas men, and it wa
t not till Mr.. Wallace asked that Iiughc
a might he heard-that the two sides of tn
question might be equally represented, tina
the Douglas men would listen at all An,
a then Interruptions, questions and ''hurrah
for Douglas" created so much confusion
: that the speaker charged the Republican
! with it, and the President had to arise t
allav the disturbances There was no mis-
take about the set of the current now, bu
II Hughes, who don't lack pluck or talent
met it manfuly lie laborcd with grea
. ingenuity and FEASIBILITY to show ths
the Lccompton Constitution was as niue
. an allowance of the right of sovereignty q
;, the people had any right to expect b,
i there was little applause. Dick Slater %
}; casionally exploded in a shout, but Il
:, could not set fire to anybody else. Eve
the pathetic picture of the gray heade
. President. sitting i'll his chair, worn wit
= cares, and anxious only for the good
$ the country, and happy death, which NJ
:; Hughes tried his artistic powers upol
t. drew but a fcble shout from the audienc
and it died out so quick that it might hay
been a groan for all the ear could tell
lc the contrary. And when he most injud
it ciously but gallantly declared that the col
s, test now existing in the party WAS pr
,mc,litutpl and ARRANGED affair. hy tho