The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1860-07-26
oRRrsrospEscE OF rus COURIER.

FAIRFIELD, Iowa, July %, 1860.
Nh. EDiEsR - The past fortnight has
been somewhat eventful one. The events
of the past two weeks will long be remem-
bered with pleasure by the Republicans, and
with sorrow by the few remaining Demo-
Gratis.
There is an organization in this city
known by the name of the National Union
Democratic Club of Fairfield" which was
organized sometime previous to the assem-
bling of the Baltimore Convention. 1t was
organized under a pledge to support the
nominees Of the Baltimore Convention; and
its first meeting, after the organization, was
to be grand Mass Meeting in the Park, to
ratify the nominations of the said Conven-'
ton. After that august asscmblage had
been in session about week, the telegraph
announced the result, which was, double
ticket one for the North and one for the
South. "The National Union Democratic
Club" was in a dilemma. 1t took the
Douglas horn, however, and Immediately
issued flaming hand bills, inviting the Dem
ocracy of old Jefferson to come out on the
30th of June to ratify the nomination of
Stephen A. Douglas, Of Illinois, for PreSi-
dent; and Benjamin Fitzpatrick, of Alabama,
for Vice President Of the United States. The
Democrats, ora portion of them, came into
town to 'ratify,' but found out, when they
arrived, that Mr. Fitzpatrick had declined,
and that Herschc V. Johnson, of Georgia,
had been substituted. This change, how.
ever, did not make any dfference-they
were for principles, not men," consequent.
ly, Mr.. johnson would do just as well as Mr..
Fitzpatrick, and they ratified the nominal
ton Of Douglas and johnson, the opponents,
as they then believed of the principles of
"n intervention by Congress with Slavery
in the Territories" After their ratification
meeting, however, it was ascertained that
Slave Code resolution had been added to the
Douglas platform, by the Baltimore Conven-
ton, and one member Of the National Ur-
ion Democratic Club" had the manliness to
declare that, as Mr.. Douglas had backed
down from his original position, he would
not support him. The Club met and mo-
ton was made to erase the name of the gen.
tleman from the book, pending which mo-
ton several speeches were made, and it was
finally decided that the fen:leman's name
should be allowed to remain on the book fer
one week, which would give him time to see
the error of his way, repent of his folly, and
sin no more! 1t has now bren nearly two
weeks since that time, and the gentleman
has not yet repented but what the Club
has done, Or is going to do with his case,
nave not learned. suppose, however, they
viii let the matter rest, inasmuch rs their
party is dead, and the funeral sermons are
being preached all over the country. Gen.
eral Dodge preached the funeral sermo a
here, on Tuesday evening last, to very few
mourners.
The Wide Awakes turned out on Satur-
day evening last, and had a very large and
enthusiastic meeting in the Park. 1t is esti-
mated that there were five or six hundred
person at the meeting. Eloquent and eff
fective speeches were made by Messrs. C,
W. Slagle, William Hampson and j. +.
Wilson.
Mr.. Slagle spoke of the developments
nude by the investigations of Covodes Com.
mittee, and urged the Importance of hurting
from power the most corrupt Administra
, ton that had ever cursed the earth.
Bill Hanp sons speech was his second eff
fort at public speaking, and was a noble eff
effort. 1t would have reflected credit on ar
older head. Mr.. II. is young man, and a
present engaged in the study Of the law
He possesses all the elements necessary t,
make q first-class orator. His manner o.
speaking is of that forcible. positive charac
. ter, which never fails to have a telling cifec
, upon an audience.
OF Mr. Wilson's speech, it is not necessa
ry for me to speak He is well known +
your citizens as n man who never make
ANYTHING but good speech.
The enthusiasm manifested at the meet
ing was unbOunded. and the majority in th
county for Old Abe, from present indicl
tons, will be perfectly overwhelming.
WIT MODE,