Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-05-31
REPUBLICAN RATIFICATION MEET
INGIN GRAFTON.
GREAT RALLY OF THE PEOPLE.

Warren Hall, to welcome home Hon. E. /
Bigelow, delegate to the Chicago convention
to hear his report of the doings there, and
listen to other speakers. The hall was file
at an early hour The meeting was organize
by the choice of VIM. F. Slocum, Esq,
president, and the following vice presidents =
Jonathan d. Wheeler, Delano Pierce, Charlie
Brigham, c. NJ. Pratt, Gilbert C. Taft, Alfre'
Morse, A. NJ. Bigelow, S. J. Axtell, Dr. Lev
Rawson, J. H. Allen, +. Mcintyre, W. +
Wheeler, Joseph Merriam, Jr., John Water
man Secretaries-James w. White and Hen
ry F. Wing
Mr.. Slocum, on taking the chair, said they
came there for the purpose of hearing from
the delegates to the Chicago convention, as tC
the doings of that body, But one response
would 60 up from Grafton, as from other
places. He alluded to the noble platform o
principles laid down there, as being the same
the friends of freedom had long struggled for
With many others, he had his preferences as
to the candidate. He had favored Mr.. Sew
ard but all would yield their cordial assent
TO the nomination of Lincoln and Hamlin
(Applause.) He said the principles we are
fighting for, as embodied in the platform, are
the same for which our forefathers fought in
1776, and as they carried them successfully
through the fire and blood OF the revolutoua-
ry contest, so would we now carry them as
safely and triumphantly through the present
contest. Mr.. Slocum concluded by introduc-
ing Hon. E. b. Bgeow, who was received
with the most enthusiastic applause
Mr.. Bigelow said he had of late withdrawn
from public speaking, but as an important
stewardship had been contided to him, he
would give an account of his stewardship
! He went to Chicago with his decided prefer
ences, as to candidates, like many others from
this section, and honestly adhered to them,
but expressed his willingness to go for the
right man, the man who could win, whoever
he might be, provided he were true embodi-
ment of our principles. And such man the
convention thought ABRAHAM LINCOLN to be,
and he heartily acquiesced in the choice.
Loud cheers.) The country had been going
to ruin long enough, and he wished to see man
nominated who was sure to be elected, and
he trusted the whole republican party of the
country, with one united voice, would labor
to that end, until their efforts were crowned
with this glorious result. He admired Mr..
! Seward as the leading man of the republican
party, and the foremost statesman OF the coun-
try. But the great question at Chicago was,
who can carry the doubtful states, Pennsyl
vania, New Jersey, Illinois, and Indiana. H.
linois said Lincoln, Applause. Indiana said
Lincoln, (Applause.) New Jersey said Pen
nington, and Pennsylvania said Cameron. On
the third ballot, Pennsylvania went for Lin
coin, and he was nominated. Last Saturday
| evening Mr.. b. had attended the greatest re-
publican meeting ever held i'll Philadelphia,
in ratification of the nominations, and every
thing in all other localities where he had been,
indicated certain success to our ticket 1t
was sure to be elected. (Applause.)
At the conclusion of Mr.. Bigelows remarks
| which were received with repeated applause
Y three cheers were "given for the delegat,
who has given us so good a report" -
Mr.. J. D. Baldwin Of T0Fcegrer7-Alr. Bige
lows colleague 1T Chicago was then INTRO
'' Nee, Baldwin M !41 ( T., !, 3. c.,..s,
Convention Keeling ii his duty to do every
thing in his power to secure the nomination 0
Mr.. Seward This was required by the pre-
erences of those he represented, and by hi
own sentiments. 1t was now unnecessary tt
so into any extended eulogy of Mr.. Seward
He is one of the great men OF the age, whose
fame is as wide as the civilized wGrld. He il
thought of in Europe as we think of him here
One evening after Charles Summers return
from Europe, at a supper where Mr.. B. hear(
him relate many incidents connected with hi
stay in Europe. Mr.. Sumner spoke Of VIM. E
Gladstone, the coming man i'll Great Britain
as ''the most accomplished orator that speak
the English language" and gave the compan.
Mr.. Gadstone's opinion of Mr.. Seward.
was as follows :-"Mr. Stewards argument il
the Freeman case is the greatest forensic e
fort in the English language" An Englis
gentleman present replied The greatest
Mr.. Gladstone, you forget Erskine." mo,
replied Mr.. Gladstone, 81 do not forget Err:
kline; Mr.. Stewards argument is the creates
forensic effort in the language" And he
regarded abroad, as well as at home, as one
the most phifosophic and profound stateme
living. Mr.. Seward could not be made grea
er by the presidency, and he can feel, as W
do that ii is better to be VIM. H. Seward tina
to be president.
AT Chicago, there was a strong pressur
against nominating Mr.. Seward for the pres
dency The newspapers have given full al
counts of it. But some of the representation
are not correct. He was defeated by yer
earnest and enthusiastic movement of tn
doubtful states" in favor of Mr. Lincoln. B
J committees, and otherwise, the delegation
from those states labored with their brethren
with those especially who favored Mr.. Sew
ard. They made an impression, and the Lii
, coin movement gathered strength. In repl
to question from the Massachusetts, deleg;
ton, Illinois said eve can carry our stat
. for Lincoln land declined to mention anothC
name. Indiana said 1--WE can succeed wi,
state but we shall be sure with Lincoln
Pennsylvania said Cameron, Mclean,
Lincoln, can carry our state" Thus Linco
, grew 10 be one of the two foremost men Q
the list of candidates. Other names were b.
fore the convention, among them that of Sa
} mon p Chase, one of the purest abest, an
nohlact man in tho ronuhi;oon ,or,, ,,lo.