Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1860-11-15
a Trip down South.

Wlse ls sIihclent.
A Trip down South.
The last week Of the contest torN1incein,
we got a taste Of Southern democracy. Tie
Wide Awakes Of Wheeling, Va, haying been
assaulted by the rowdies and being too weak
themselves to hold a meeting in opposition
to the rowdy element, they called On their
Pittsburg brethern TO aid them. 1t was ac-
cordingly arranged to have grand parade
in Wheeling, on Friday night, the 30th of
Nov. Fifteen hundred Wide Awakes wers
to be present, and with this force little dan
ger was TO be apprehended from rowdies.-
Five hundred men were TO go from Pittsburg,
FIVE hundred were to be picked up at Steu-
benvile ard other points along the way. and
Ave hundred were 70 be raised il and about
Wheeling.
When the time came for leaving Pittsburg,
the day was SO vet and stormy, that instead
of five hundred men but one hundred repor-
ted themselves at the Depot as bound fer
Wheeling. With this meager force, howey-
train, expecting large recruits along the way.
When we arrived at Steubenville, where we
confidently counted on heavy reinforce
ment, we found only a few men, and Tel
egraphic Dispatch awaiting US, from the
leading Republicans of Wheeling. who had
been informed Of our progress, requesting us
to 60 back, and also informing us that the
parade had been postponed. The Steuben-
vile men returned to their quarters, but the
Pittsburgers were not to be turned back so
easily. A council of war was q. once called,
and the Hon. Robt. Mcknight was the first
speaker. He urged the Pittsburg men to re
turn, but they were immovable, in their de-
termination to go to Wheeling. We tried
our hand, but it was like pouring water on
ducks back-go to Wheeling they would,
and 20 to Wheeling they did. Mr.. Bingham
of the Pittsburg Journal, also counseled them
to return, but without avail. Having failed
to induce them to 90 back. We resigned eur~
self to our fate, and on went the train amid
loud shouts and huzzas for Wheeling. We
could not. for the soul Of US. help thinking Of
John Brown, Harper's Ferry and gbbet-
ii was ghost "that would not at our bid
ding, down."
When we reached Wheeling, ii wss dark
as pitch, end raining We Immediately d's-
embarked and formed into line. Only eighty
men took their places in the ranks, but these
a; xunra az bro ua md ,an a on.
er trod the soil of Virginia. With drums
beating and colors flying, We crossed the
wire bridge, "a beautiful structure,l and en-
tered the town in the midst Of shower of
rain. In less than five minutes the streets
were liued with thousands Of people, men,
women and children. Our men bore theme
selves gallantly and their seeming total in
difference to the rain and wind, appeared to
strike the Virginians with admiration. On
we went, through mud and wet. saluted es-
cry moment by the jeers Of the NIB, and
cries of John Observation-Disclosures
them, etc. Here aud there fair daughter
of Virginia would wave her white handker-
chief il grateful recognition, and then, per-
hsps for the next dozen bousss, we would be
hissed at from almost overy balcony. The
mob frequently seemed threatening, but We
reached the bUilding our Virginia friends had
opened for us, without any violence from the
populace.
We held our meeting without much an
noyance. The building was densely packed
during the speeches. and but few interrupt
iions occurred. After being most hospita-
bly, entertained ct tie Mcclure House, by
our Virginia friends, we set out for the cars.
On our way to the Depot we were set upon
by the rowdies, who had gathered in great
numbers along the line of march Many of
our men were knocked down, cut, bruised
and otherwise hurt One only, We believe,
was shot. At length We reached the mouth
Of the bridge, and the falling of the pohder.
Gus gates, after the Wide Awakes had pas
sed through, shut off the mob ana ended the
fight.
Notwithstanding the complimentary es-
cort We got out of Wheeling on Friday night,
we returned on Monday and spoke there
again on Monday evening to very large au-
dience. This time they let Us go in peace.