Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-07-08

opsnLN, July Z, 1859.
BnIroR or LEADRRi
You len the "political Prisoners" at the De-
pot, and gave them your hearty congratuaton as
they pursued their way "homo again amid the
roar Of cannon, the peals Of martial music, and
the ,choing shouts which came from a multitude
Of earnest friends Of freedom. You heard Judge
Brayton's eloquent speech in c0ngratuaton Of
the prisoners, their friends and The nalioni and
then "you missed IL" that you turned again to
your at or and your sanctum.. If you ever get an
adsqla idea Of the glorious reception which
aw aited these humble and persecuted, but now Ia
nous friends Of freedom on their arrival at Ober'
lin--icspised, prosecuted Oberlin-you will regret
to your dying day that you had not "been there
to soo."
The wives Of Peck Plumb, Fitch aud Watson
met the company at Grafton, and here arose the
FIRST shout that was, in twenty minutes more, to
be taken up aud borne along as the sound Of
many waters and the roar of mighty thuuderings"
If the couquerors Of the old world have at any
time had a more numerous reception, not ono OF
them ever had reception half so hearty as greet
cd these saints and sub saints on their arrival
at ,h.ir beloved Oberlin The entire town was
out to greet them. A sea Of heods could DO seen
extending for long distance on both sides Of the
track Youth and beauty WED with men otvene-
rable age 10 their cndeavors to catch glimpse Of
these but recently contemplate, those reviled and
abused men and when they aiighted from tue
cars, tho heavens rnng gain with the united and
prolonged luzlls Vt more than three thousand per-
soDs, who though styled Is fanatics were not
whit behind the brightest ornaments Of our coun-
try, in intelligence, purity, patriotism, and every
excellence of which nation should be proud
JOY beamed in every eye. Exultation marked ev-
cry movement, and enthusiasm burst from every
Lip. But one discordaut element, and that rery
luie one, could be detected in that vast throng-
E. F. Munson, the Oborlin Postmaster--the man
whose head ives but recently as good as Of, and
who stuck it on again by the dirty work which he
was able to DO for the marauders who have lately
disturbed the quiet If our peaceful town.. f.
Munsou stood motionless, grim, dark and dreary,
like a bald eagle on a rock, or a stork on sea-
shore "Poor TOOL, said I, "let him eat Of the
fruit OF his own doings and Js piled with bis own
devices"
The eloquent Prof Monroe was called out, and
from the platform pror Ounced the following elo-
quent and thrilling speech in welcome Of the prs-
oners;
PROF. MnSnOEs SPEECH AT The CARS.
Ny FmENDs In behalf of this vas, assembly,
I am requested 10 express, in q word, the unquals
fled satisfaction, tho heartfelt joy which feel,
on welcoming you once more to the bosom Of this
community and to your homes. From that sad
day when you left US to the present time, we have
never, for a moment ceased longing for the sight
Of your faces among us. whenever you could re-
turn consistently with duty and 10 night we are
glad from the very bottom Of our hearts, that that
time has come. We rejoice, not only because you
have come back TO us, but also because you have
come without the shadow of a stain upon thut
strict integrity which it is the duty and the prv,
| lege Of a Christian Anti slavery man to cherish,
You have mado no compromises with slavery
! There has been no bOWiug down of the body, no
| bending Of tho knee. Erect, as God mhdo you,
you went into prison; erect as God made you, you
! havo come out Of prison. Welcome then, once
more, to Ohern Ia behalf Of this assembly, in
behalf of Oberlin, in behalf Of LorRin county, well
come thrice welcome friends Of Liberty!
The procession then formed, with Father Keep
and Father Gillett (Msthew johnson will remem
bar hin) in advance and tho vast throBg, with
banners flying moved to the sti' ring music Of the
| Oberin Bond, towards the great church. As the
prisoners" marched up the path towards ,bo no
ble odiice the fre companies, dressed in uhiform,
opened to tight a1d left, and with heads uucoV-
cred, received the "Roscuers" with a right hearty
greeting The vast building was in moment
crowded to its utmost capacity. Scarcely less than
three thousand persons were crowded within its
walls. Here was such sceno for painter as I
cannot now describe. Not less than eighteen
hundred Of this great audience were young men
and women. It was grand and cheering sight
As the prisoners walked up the aisle each was
presented by some fair hand with a b'audul
wreath, and boquets and flowers danced and
sparkled in an directions. The pulpit was elc'
ganty decorated and all the Rescuers," with
many OF their friends, were seated in the rosirum.
The venerable Father Gillett, the knd-hearted but
firm and manly Sheriff Wightmon, and the genial
aud generous II, r. Smith, were among those who
occupied the stand The great organ opened with
the most cnliyening strains, and glorious choir
Of one hundred and twonty,fye choice singers
poured forth a food Of song which rolled over the
vast congregation and away through the town
like waves Of heavenly melody
The venerable Father Keep (may he live for.
ever took the chair nt precisely eight o'clock.
Father Keep opened the exercises by an i'm
pressiye prayer to that God who will cause the
wrath of man to praise him. and the remainder Of
wrath he will restrain" and then addre sed the
meeting in the following impressive words
FATHER KEEPS SPEECH.