Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1860-10-04
I WHOLE NO. 2O4.

aged the organizations. On the 9th of
March, at the dedication of camp, in
Hartford, over two thousand Wide Awakes
assembled. parading the streets in torch
light array, and owing to tire immense
number of torches. making most brilliant
and imposing appearance. The Republi-
cans of Hartford were overwhelmed with
letters from all parts of the Union. asking
for information touching their club, man
ner of organization, drills, &c. 1t was at
last found necessary to inanguratc some
system by which these letters could bc
answered, and notice was inserted in all
the Republican journals that Mr.. Ii. L.
Sperry, Corresponding Secretary. ,ofs the
Hartford Wide Awakes, would give all
desired information. In the course Of
few weeks that gentleman had received and
filed over 800 communications.
THE DRILL OF the WIDE AwAKEs.
The officers are all men of some military
experience, and have paid great attention
to the drilling of their companies. In
towns and villages there are but few
amusemcnts to engage the time of the
young men, the drills are held frequently
1t merely consists of the more Simple light
infantly movements. according to Hardec.
A few Wide Awake tactics have been in
troduced, in the countermarching by files,
taking distances from the right or left,
&c. Some have adopted peculiar cheer
of their own. while others give the old
fashioned ono the preference. As gcner-
al thing, the room of the Republican AS
sociation, of the locality. is used as an ar
mory and drill room. The torches are
placed in racks, and the. uniforms slowed
in chests, &C., in neat military style. ready
for use at moments notice. Where
Wide Awakes exist in large numbers on
occasions of public parable grand mar
shall is elected, and the various captains
are nominated as marshals. Each mar
shall elects aids from his own sub officers,
and. thus perfect system is established, al
though many other systems have been a.
doptcd in some localities.
- u TIE TORCHES, USlFoRMss &c. al
The torch is a thin. smooth rail, sur
mounted with tin swinging lamp. with
large wicks. The lamp is so arranged
! that the rail may be held in any position
without spilling the oil. A small Ameri-
can flag. on which are printed the names
of Lincoln and Hamliu, is fastened on tho
rail Immediately below the lamp. Some
times the lamps are surrounded by tri-
colored glass. so as to resemble lanters.-
The uniforms consist Of black, drab or
silver gray cape. made of cnamelled cloth,
coming down below the waist. and a mill
tary cap of the same material. The Of
fcers wear cape overcoat Of the sameIna-
terial, and either carry colored lanterns
or batons.
fr- 81 = EXPENSES r4ss r. IN
The companies are all elf-sustaining.-
The average cost of the uniforms is 50 per
man. One dollar initiation fee entities q
member to the use of torch, which costs
wholesale about 20 cents. Assessments
are made from time to time to defray cx-
penses, attending parade, &c. The essima-
ted cost of a parade, for music, oil, &C.,
is $50 per 200 men. There is aloss of 10
per cent. in the wear of uniforms and
torches at each parade.
THEIR NUMBERS -. ~ 5LV
From carefully prepared statistics. IL IS
estimated that there are at present in tho
Eastern. Northern and Western States,
over four hundred thousand Wide Awakes,
drilled, uniformed and officcred They
have sprung up in large numbers in some
parts of Missouri a fine battalion is or
ganized in Washington, and another in
Wheeling. Virginia. There arc also few
in Kentucky. They are steadily increas-
ing at the average ratio of IS per cent .
month. 'iNt~
spQilf THEIR OBJECT. tn s1sdI
They are mach amused at the variors
stories circulated in regard to the PURPOSE
for which they were organized. Some
journals having asserted that in the event
Of Lincoln's. election they Will replace the
army and navy; that they are armed with
muskets in order to forcibly prevent South
crn secession, and many like assertions.+
They state that their primary object
is to elect Abraham Lincoln and Han
nibal Hamlin President and Vice Presi-
dent of the United States according to
the constitution and laws of ths couu-
try. For this purpose they are band
Ell together as political brethren, having
their interest in common, and going as
missionaries among their democratic friends
They never carry arms, have no secret So
clety grips or passwords. and admit out
siders to all of their meetings or drills
They are equally opposed to touching
slavery where it exists or allowing, its ex-
tension, and adopt the Chicago platiorm
as their own. They are not alone intend
ed for torchlight professions. but are de-
signed to cooperate in all the minuti@ of
political work, and by argument, docu.
ments, and all honorable means. to sccure
the wavering and persuade the hostile. ac-
ting as distributors. checkers, challengers,
and patrolmen, bringing every vote to tho
polls. -. ii .sss1s ). ais.i' lsso x,ilsSs
The Next Legislature.
Republicans should everywhere remem-
Der the important political duties that wilt
deyolve upon the next Legislative In the
fret rlor x1>o.., ..,.11 H. :. IT q c. -.