The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-30
The Ma IS Meetings at st. Anthony.


day afternoon was, in every respect, the
most interesting gathering which has ever
taken place in the State. Without the IA
cilities afforded by railroads for the concen-
tration of the masses of the people, and, in
the midst of busy season for the farmers
and laborers, who are, emphatically, the
Democracy of the State, the meeting was
complete success in point of numbers. equal
ling, if not surprising, that Of the Republic
cans in this respect.
Nicollet Island, on which the meeting was
held, is one of the most lovely spots in Min
nesota. 1t is situated about midway be-
tween the cities of St. Anthony and Mime
apolis, in the Mississippi river, connected
with both by bridges. The speaking ground
was sheltered from the sun by the foliage of
the forest trees-the charming tints of the
leaves just touched by the light .autumnal
frosts, formed canopy for the rostrum,
more beautiful than any silken hues, and
richer than ornaments of gold-while heard
through all, was the music of the deep
mouthed cannon and the water fall.
At about three o'clock, after some excel.
lent music by the Pioneer Guard Band,
the Hon. H. Il. WELLEs called the meeting
to order, and, in few appropriate re-
marks, introduced the Hon. CHAs. H. LAR
RABEE, of Wisconsin.
We regret that we are unable to lay
before our readers Judge LARRABEE's most
admirable speech, and do not feel inclined
to do injustice to him by attempting in our
own Language to give even an abstract of
what he said upon this occasion. 1t will be
sufficient to say that he maintained, with
striking eloquence and power, the distinctive
doctrines of the National Democracy, in
opposition to the sectionalism of the disci-
pies of WIN. H. SEWARD. He boldly met
and triumphantly refuted all their argu-
ments against tie principle of Popular
Sovereignty in the Territories of the United
States, and irrefragably demonstrated the
absurdity of the idea promulgated by the
Republicans, that the mere fact of living in
State gave individuals fitness to enjoy the
right of selfgovernment not possessed by
those who may reside in the Territories.
Judge LARRABEE spoke nearly two hours,
and commanded the undivided attention and
applause of the vast audience.
Gov. S1BLEY hardly needed formal in
PRODUCTION to the audience, as all recognized
and applauded him as soon as he arose.
His remarks were confined to a review of
our State policy; and, from his long expe-
rience and high personal character, all pre-
sent were prepared to receive with implicit
confdance, and to adopt with alacrity, the
opinions enunciated from his lips. The
strong hold he has taken upon the affections
of the people was Enthusiastically shown upon
this occasion.
Ex-Gov. German was the last speaker,
and although it was growing late he held
the audience Imost remarkably well until
the close of his remarks. He alluded very
eloquently to the blessings which we all en-
Joy under National Democratic form of
Government, over any other nation in the
world. He proceeded to the consideration
of State affairs, and paid glowing tribute
to the high character and incorruptible in
tegrity of our excellent Governor-and
instanced the only charge the Republicans
ever could make against him, which was
that in the reception of Railroad bonds as
basis for currency, he was credulous enough
to believe one of the best, and acknowledged
the most honest of them all, JOHN w.
NORTH, under the solemnity of an oath.
We cannot attempt to follow the Governor
through the various topics of his speech,
but must say that he handled them all in
his, happiest manner, and all who are &C
quainted with his distinguished ability,
know very well that no individual amongst
US can sway an audience like Gov. German
His speech was received with every mark
of favor.
Altogether, the meeting was very sue
cossful one. We were somewhat disap.
pointed in not having speakers from abroad,
but otherwise, it was all we could have
wished as demonstration of the enthusi-
asm of the Democracy.
THE REPUBLICAN MEETING.
The Republicans had procession with
the clap-trap adjuncts of vulgar banners,
including carriage full of pretty cir Is, to
attract the crowd of lookers-on. They
made many boasts of their meeting out
numbering that of the Democrats, but the
opinion of all fair judges was, that the
Democrats had the largest number of male
adults, voters-and the Republicans the
largest number of women and children. The
speaking was certainly the poorest we have
listened to during the campaign, and the
figure which Col. ALDR1cH cut upon sew
eral occasions when he arose to in
troduce the speakers, was not calcu-
lated to enhance our respect for his abili-
ty to represent the State of Minnesota in
Congress with credit to himself or to the
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