The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1860-03-28
DoIititaI.
MASS CONVENTION NOMINATING GEN
JOSEPH LANE, OF OREGON FOR THE
PRESIDENCY.

PRESIDENCY
In accordance with previous notice, the
friends of Gen. Lane assembled in the Court
House in Mansfield at o'clock, P. NJ. en-
Saturday the 10th inst. The Court of Com
mon Pleas being in session and occupying the
| Court room, a request was made for an adjourn
ment ofthe Court for one hour, to accommodate
the people who had assembled to attend the
meeting. Judge Geddis, who was holding the
Court, with his usual courtesy and spirit of ac-
commadation, and with the consent of the ju-
rors, attorneys and parties engaged in the trial
of cause, granted the request, and the Court
room was in few minutes afterward filed to
overfowing. Many of the prominent men of
Richland county of both political parties were
present, and some from adjacent counties.
The Convention was called to order by Gen.
Cantwell, and on motion, Gen. Mclaughlin
was chosen President, and on taking the Chair
he stated the object of the meeting in few
brief and appropriate remarks. He said that
the friends of Gen. Lane had assembled in
convention to make public demonstration in
favor of his selection. as candidate for the
Presidency at the Charleston Convention to be
held in April. And he (Gen. Mel. ) consid-
sidered it high honor to be called to preside
over convention assembled for such purpose,
and for this mark of high consideration, he re-
He said that he was personally acquainted
with Gen. Lane, had known him for many
years, had known him and been with him when
an officer in the Mexican war; and had marked
his course in public and in private life, a
citizen, a soldier, and statesman, and it was
his deliberate opinion that among the many
distinguished men spoken of as candidates for
the Presidency, none Gall things consdered(
possessed in a more eminent degree, the high
qualifications for that important station than
Gen. Joseph Lane; and certainly none was
more deserving, and none more worthy of pub
lie confidence. He has been objected to as
candidate for the Presidency, as wanting abili-
ty and attainments. He (Gen. McL.) remem-
bered well that the same objection urg. d
even more strongly gainst Gen. Jackson when
first candidate for the Presidency, and he
was happy to have an opportunity of publicly
repeling this groundless objection. 1t is true,
he may be surpassed in mere url anity and af
fected show of manners, and in mere fippan-
cy and facility of expression In conversation,
and so. in these respects, have been most of
ablest and most distinguished statesmen
1t is true Gen. Lane makes no pretension to
the great persuasive powers and arts of the or
ator; neither did Washington, Jefferson nor
Jackson. But he possesses IN an eminent de-
gree those more substantial, essential and use
ful elements of greatness, which have given to
our most illusGrious men their high positions
Of usefulness and Of honor. Gifted with great
native vigor of intellect, sagacity and sound
ness of Judgment, an intuitive knowledge of
human nature great decision of character, as
well as energy OF action and cool and dauntless
courage in the hour of danger, Gen. Lane has
attained that extensive acquaintance with the
publ, men and political affairs of the country,
and that just appreciation of the true princi-
Piles of our republican system of government,
which have given him efficiency, and dstn-
guishcd him as leader in public life in which
he has been placed Let any fair minded man
trace Gen. Lanes career in civil life as a mem
Der of the Indiana Legislature, a member of
the U. S. Senate, as Governor of Oregon, and
Delegate in Congress, and contemplate his eff
ciency and success in every emergency, and
all his various positions, and especially in
founding and building up the State of Oregon,
and he will never deny his great ability a
statesman. And let any man follow his ca
reer as a citizen soldier, volunteering in de-
fence of the rights and honor of his country,
in the Mexican war In which he earned, and
by common consent received the title of ''the
Marion of the Mexican ar,"-let him re-
count the battles in which Gen. Lane was en-
gagged, the dangers to which he was exposed,
the deeds of bravery which he performed, the
skill and judgment with which he planned his
battles, as we'll as the indcmitable courage and
success with which he fought them, and he
will never gainsay the gallantry and high quail
ifications of Gen. Lane as military man. Re
Gail the scenes of slaughter and carnage upon
the battle field of Buena Vista, when the
American army, consisting of about five thou
sand mostly militia, met twenty thousand
of the chosen troops of Santa Anna in deadly
conflict. Lane was stationed III command OF
the left wing of our army, upon which Santa
Anna directed his most obstinate and deadly
assault. With but two regiments in his brig
ade he repused large body of Mexican in
fantry, not less than six thousand strong. Ex-
posed to a destructive fire from the Mexican
on their fanks, Lane and his little
band met with dauntless courage, the fearful |
arrow of the assailants as they moved forward
with their long line of infantry, presenting a
continued sheet of fire. And when the grape
and musket shot few thick as hail, through
the lines of his brigade, and some of his men
began at one time to waver before the fiery |
storm, Gen. Lane could be in advance of
his line waving his sword with an arm already |
sh cred by musket ball, and streamingwi h |
blood, himself mounted on noble charger
which was gradually sinking under the loss OF
blood from five dist net wounds. Through the
struggles of that trying battle, Lane performed |
feats of proves and heroism never to be for
gallantry and Ge3eralship TO win the engage
nent, than Gen. Lane. Follow him in his cx-
petition from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico,
at the head of his brigade, through his long
and tailsome march, by night and by day, over
IA wild and rugged country, full of narrow de-
fles and dangerous passes; his frequent sur
prises by the enemy; his sudden incursions far
away into remote valley and plain, and his nu
merous fierce combais with the enemy, in all
nf which, Mexican valor yielded to the force of
his impetuous and well-directed assaults, until
the prestige of his name became sure guaran-
tee of victory. At Huamantla, Gen. Lane en-
Santa Anna, who, at the head of the
main force of his army, made last effort to
retrieve his fortunes. Santa Anna selected
this place as the Waterloo, where his waning
star should shine out in cloudless effulgence,
Or sink to rise no more. 1t was furious and
deadly combat. Gen. Lane advancing at the
tIax hol forna nft l1oi