The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1858-07-15
sFFom the Uhicago : Imss8 July llIhs
senat0E Douglas al Home

YesteRdey, NeDator Douglas WaG received
in Chicago, and the occss ION, q veil as thei
manner Of that reception, sssof lhe most
magnificent character. Some few days agol
it was heard that he was in Cleveland, and
forthwith arrangements were hastily made
to give him reception worthy OF his great
services. With that view itw determined
to appoint q committee to meet him at
Michigan City, and escort him to the city.
The committee was appointed.
DEPARTURE OF THE COMMITTEE.
As pei. announcement in the programme
Of the reception Of Hon. stephen A. Doug
las, published BY authority OF the Committee
of Arrangements, an extra train Of cars was,
ready at o'clock, yesterday, to convey the
Committee OF Reception to Michigan City
distant from Chicago sixty miles-at
which place Senator Douglas was to take
the Illinois Centralroad on the return trip.
II was not contemplated, either by the com.
mittee or any one else, that many persons,
besides such ss we're on the committee,
would desire to 90 that distance in the mid
die of an intensely hot day, over sandy
and exposed road, and accordingly no effort
was made to make up long train. But full
an heur before the time for starting, hun
dreds of citizens, many OF whom came
from remote parts Of the State, had collect-
ed at the depot. We noticed several stanch
Democrats who had come up from the ex-
treme Southern section-from Egypt-and
still others from the central sections in
deed there were delegations here from al
most every county in Illinois. While the
crowd was gathering, fine bands of music
were employed, which, by their inspiring
strains, helped to awaken the most general
\ and intense enthusiasm. In the meantime,
also, great numb er Of large national flags
/ were being elevated at conspicuous points
near the depot and elsewhere, and banners
of different shapes and colors, besides
streamers, pendants, ect., were disposed in
all directions. A grand sight it was All
present partook largely Of the spirit which
inspired to the work of leve and patriotism.
| 1t was the deliberate preparation Of the
Democratic citizens OF Chicago for the
brilliant reception Of Stephen A. Douglas
--of the man, the noble, devoted man, who
has at this time more Of the confidence and
affection OF the people Of Illinois; and ot
the Union, than any other man who can be
named.
1t was now O'Clock. The train was to
start at that hour, and all things being ready.
the cars moved off amid shouts from the
outside and answering shouts. and music
from within. In all, the company number.
ed four hundred. A splendid banner, that
Of the Young Mems Democratic Club, was
carried upon the locomotive. gs.. sis .r
Was there ever in this country, whose
people are proverbially parsimonious of pub
lie attentions, grunder tribute given to any
man! Four hundred, strong leading cit
zens Of the State going sixty miles In I
melting day to meet fellow citizen Ant
it should be observed that many Of thi:
great company came from places distant
some fifty, others one hundred, and still
others one hundred and fifty, and even two
hundred miles. They came to meet Sena
tor Douglas, TO take his true hand in theirs
and to tell him that they and the masses o
the peoplein Illinois confde in his grea
ability, admire the brave consistency Of hi
course, and will sustain him at the balo
boxes.
! The train proceeded to Michigan City
where it was met by host of gallant lndi
/ anians, who accompanied the Judge from
Laporte to Michigan City. Some malicious
; person having secretly spiked the only gur
Of the town, the Democracy obtained a larg'
, anvil, and placing it in the middle OF tht
J principal street, made the welkin echo witt
, its repeated discharges. .a.,.y
The delegation from Chicago--includiDs
Democrats from Logan, Peoria, Tazewell
La Sale, Marshall, McHenry, Knox, Will
Boone, Kankakee, Champaign, Stephenson
Kane, De Kalb, DuPage, and other coun
ties of the State, formed into line, aud pre-
| ceded by Il band of music, marched to III
fremont House, where they met Senate
Douglas. After exchanging personal sal
utations with his friends, Judge Douglas re
turned, in few happy remarks, his thank
I for the marked expression OF their continue
| friendship.
! THE RETURN TO THE CITY.
At few minutes after five O'Clock tn
procession was formed and proceeded TO tn
Depot, Judge Douglas being n ow the gues
OF the Committee. The train soon started
, and all along the road-at every station. o
almost every farm house and laborers cabi
lin every cornfeld, and at every poin
where laborers were engaged--there wa
exhibited by cheers, by waving of handker
chiefs and other demonstrations, that corda
"welcome home" to the great representa-
I, tive of popular rights. ~.
At the outer depot of the Illinois Centra
: Railroad the National flag had been raise
by the operatives, and swivel belche
! forth its roaring notes of welcome. Th
i hardy hands of the mechanics resounde
, with applause, and cheers and huzzas Con
tnued until the train had passed on to tn
city.
! As the train passed on from Twelfth 81
! to the depot, crowds Of ladies' were assemble
!. on the doorsteps of the residence on Mich
gan avenue, waving banners and handkel
. ! chiefs the lake part was crowded by pei
:, sons hastily proceeding to the depot. Lon
before the train could enter the static
II house, thousands had crossed over the breal
!" water, got upon the track and climbed int
. the cars, and when the latter reached th
y ! depot they were literally crammed ins;d
l. and covered on top by ardent and enthusia
. tic friends and supporters of the illustrio,
= Illinoisan.
r Capt. Smiths artillery were, in the meu
= time, firing from Dearborn Park q salute
70 l50 guns, (guDs were also firing in the We
~ and North Divisions) the booming Of Il
10 cannon alone rising above the cheerir
plaudits of the assembled multitude.
The hotels and principal buildings in d
city were adorned with flags. The Adam
of House, near the Centra, depot, was NC
ch handsomely decorated. The National Fla
nd banner bearing the motto, "Douglas, 4
Ell champion of Popular Sovereignty" as W,
ht as numerous flags belonging to vessels
be the harbor were suspended across the stret