Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1860-08-17


children under 10 years, free.
b p. MELENDY, President.
NJ. l.. TRACY, Secretary.
Great Mass Meeting at Springfield.
The largest political gathering of the season
was that held at the home Of "Old Abe,'
Springfield, I'll. on the 9th inst. It is est
mated that full 75, 900 freemen were in coun-
Gil on that occasion. The following extracts
we compile from the Press O. Tribune:
But what shall we say Of its The thou
sands upon thousands who were here from
all the central counties Of the State, know for
themselves what it was, but how shall we be
able to convey in language even faint idea
of the monster AFFAIR." The day was most ia
vorable for the demonstration. The sun arose
in the midst OF dense fog, which was speed
ily dispellcd by light breeze from the West,
leaving the weather warm but pleasant. The
pageant of the day was heralded by the firing
of National salute, but even at this early
hour the roads leading to town were already
filled with vehicles, and the streets were alive
with hurrying crowds. Long before nine
o'clock one dense mass of human beings lined
all the thoroughfares Streamers, banners,
flags, and notices, were flung to the breeze
in all directions, and the city assumed holl-
day appearance, the like of which was never
before witnessed Meanwhile Col. Williams,
his staff and assistant Marshals, were busily
arranging the positions Of the various dele
cations, as they arrived, for the grand pro-
ccssion.
By ten o'clock the line was formed and the
march commenced, but owing to the immense
number of vehicles extending miles and miles
in length, and the difficulty of bringing the
various delegates into line, the programme
laid down for the procession was not strictly
followed. 1t was, however, not only by all
odds the largest, but the grandest and most
magnificent affair Of the kind we have ever
seen. In thearray of flags, banners, notices,
devices, cars, etc, ETC., ingenuity could hardly
have been tasked further. 1t would fill sew
eral columns of our paper, were we to attempt
a description of them. We find it impOssi-
bic to give even an approximately full list of
the numerous delegations which were present.
Among the designs were the following =
First came an immense Rolling Ball, indi-
eating the onward march Of Republican prin-
ciples, and filled with appropriate notices,
among them the following: " The Republi-
can ball is in notion" " Lincoln, Hamlin
and the whole State Ticket"
.sThe people mourn nsulted laws,
And curse Steve. Douglas as the cause"
And on the opposite:
" Westward the Star Of Empire takes its way,
A full rugged schooner, with sailors aboard,
got up in excellent style, and drawn by six
horses, the work of some of the Springfield
Republicans
The enterprising proprietors of the Spring
field Wooden Mill were represented in the pro-
cession by an immense wagon containing a
power loom, driven by small steam engine.
During the progress of the procession they
made several yards Of substantial jean cloth,
from which pair Of pantaloons for Mr.. Lin
coin were cut and made up. The wagon bore
the significant motto, Protection to Home
Industry"
The Menard delegation, among other good
things, had fat-boat on wheels representing
Lincoln early experience at New Salem also
a wagon drawn by four horses representing
rail-splitters at work.
A rail wagon and a big rail fat-boat, with
an immense rudder attracted much attention.
A log cabin on wheels with an old settler
in front splitting rails was greatly admired
and well got up.
In the Williamsville delegation, which was
500 strong, was an immense wagon drawn by
twenty three yoke of oxen. This wagon was
perfect medley of workshops blacksmith
shoeing horse, another making shoes /;
wheelright making wheel; gang Of men
splitting rails; carpenters, timers, shoema-
kers, weayers, etc.
One of the most attractive features OF the
procession was a company of forty three
horsemen, disguised as Indians, in imitation
Of the " Boston tea party" of old. They act
ed their part well, and the deception was
complete many persons thinking they We're
the genuine Aborigines Of the plains on visit
to their lost prairie homes Their horseman-
ship was superb, and their conduct and gen.
eral appearance gave universal pleasure. A
six horse team hauling wagon with rail
fence upon it.
The grand spectacle Of the day was reserved
for the evening; when four thousand Wide
Awakes BY actual count, in procession Of
four deep passed by the home of Lincoln
The ranks were one yard apart or one thou
sand yards, making three .ffths Of a mile Of
brilliant torch light, the ,gieam Of the .va,i,cs
and illuminated devices lighting up on either
hand the eager faces Of a solid wall of spec
tators throughout the entire line of march
10 realize the effect of such cheering as
Springfield heard on Wednesday, perfect
Niagara Of cheers, from tens Of thousands Of
threats at once-one must have been there
1t cannot be imagined. Everybody comes
back hoarse. .,., 81 s..-rt
And when evening passed, and to the excl
ting scenes Of the day period Of rest sue
,ceeded, how was it to be spent by the thou