The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-09-09

Great Democratic Meeting-Openi. q of
the Ball in GOodhue County.

UreaS DenOcTauc MeeunS-Opemf 3 OF
the Ball in Goodhue County.
From the Red Wing Sentinel, Aug. q.
The citizens of Red Wing turned out en-
masse, on the evening of Thursday of this
week, to listen to those able and eloquent
standard bearers of the Democracy, Messrs.
Becker, Cavanaugh, and Brisbin. Their
great popularity as public speakers, would
necessarily have drawn large meeting to-
gether though from the fact that their CON-
petitors upon the Republican ticket had
spoken here only week before, the oppor-
tunity thus presented of personally deciding
upon their respective merits undoubtedly
largely Increased the numbers.
Of the result we need only say, that joy
and satisfaction beam from every Democratic
face, while sourness and snappishness seem
to predominant through the Republican
camp. We only wish that matters could
have been so arranged that the candidates
could have appeared at the same time, when
the admirable contrast presented by the
gentlemanly, candid and craftsmanship
speeches of the Democratic speakers to the
regularity and buffoonery,the captious asser-
lions, the vague and general charges against
the Democratic State Government, without
pointing out single fact in proof of them
as we'll as the utter neglect to show what
their own could be, or what their own ideas
were, if they had any-which characterized
those of the Republicans.
George L. Becker, having received
most enthusiastic reception, opened the meet
ing, and in that digniied and emphatic
manner peculiar to him, proceeded to depre-
cate the unstatesmanlke policy of the Oppo.
sition in making ridiculous and groudless
charges against the Democratic State Adj
ministration, without rejecting upon the
effect the reaction, consequent upon their
absurdity and refutation, would have upon
the minds of the people. The conflict, un-
worthy Of a gentleman of Mr.. Ramsey's
standing, in reiterating that he had often
declined to sustain, though he owed it to a
proper respect of the laws to do so, if he
believed it was true. He then successfully
defended the State Administration from the
charge of extravaganza, and refuted, by
facts and figures, the misrepresentation
made by the Republican press and orators.
Judging from the astonished and convinced
looks of the honest portion of the RepuSli-
cans present who had been duped into
belief OF those falsehoods, these portions of
his speech had happy effect. He conclu-
ded by comparing the State policy of the
two parties. Upon taking his seat three
rousing cheers were given for Gov. Becker.
James M. Cavanaugh succeeded him in
an eloquent and witty speech on national
issues. Logical and sarcastic, yet liberal
and just it greatly astonished those who
from partizan sources had been led to con-
ceive an unjust opinion Of him, and as round
after round of applause marked the enthu-
siasm with which his liberal opinions were
received, none could help contrasting them
with those of the man who had by oath
boundllhimself to an unwise and iilliberal
set of ideas, and the comparison created
feeling in Cavanaugh's favor that will tell
when in next October the people of Mime
sofa will endorse, with rare unanimity, the
political conduct of her gifted son.
John B. Brisbin followed, on the Railroad
question, which he handled as none in Red
Wing ever heard it handled before. Show
ing the connection that that honest gentle.
man, Alexander Ramsey, had with the Rail-
roads, and how his whole influence was
brought to bear in bringing about the state
of things he now charges on the Democracy
of the State. Bril- then compared the
two platforms, demonstrating that the Re-
publican platform meant either reputation,
or direct taxation, and that the Democratic
party pointed out the only way to get out
of our difficulties without cheating the
Bond-holder or raising tax, and that the
18th resolution was the " only practical
solution of practical question: Like the
others, he was loudly applauded. The
meeting, which was the largest that has
been in Red Wing for two years, adjourned
with three hearty cheers for the Democratic
ticket. Most suspicious opening to warm
contest