The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1860-07-26
Immense Mass MeetIng--Speech OF


street Market House, TO listen to q speech
from the gallant vindicator of free labor,
defender of a free press, and asserler of
free speech-Cassius NJ. Clay.
About seven o'clock the boom of can
non announced the time to assemble. The
Market House had been nicely cleaned,
furnished with seats and a stand, and 9TH
wise arranged, and was soon filled with
persons eager to hear and witness the in
teresting occurrences of the evening
Amongst the immense throng were several
hundred ladies, who had come out to listen
to the words and hear the songs of freedom.
The Market House and surrounding space
were soon filled. An immense crowd was
in attendance. We hesitate not to say that
ii formed the largest political night meeting
that ever assembled in Evansville. The
evening was cool and comfortable, and al
though rain had been threatened, not drop
fell. The streets in the vicinity had
been watered, ushers were in attendance to
show persons to seats, and everything
seemed to be in proper order to make the
occasion an enjoyable one.
There was a bad calculation about the
marching of the Wide Awakes, by which
the commencement of the exercises was
delayed nearly an hour, and the patience of
the audience somewhat tired. But in antici-
patton of the entertainment in waiting for
them, they good naturedly endured the de-
lay. None left that we noticed. The crowd
continued to increase up to nine clock, at
1 which time there were over 5000 people
present.
I About nine o'clock the Wide Awakes and
Turner's made their appearance, escorting
the speaker, the former under command of
Lieut.. Hodge. They marched in military
order to martial music, and carried trans
/ parencies and flags. The transparencies,
numbering twenty, bore numerous suggest
/ i've notices in English and German. The
/ Turner's were apparaled in their usual uni
/ form. The Wide Awaks having been disap-
pointed in receiving the uniforms and lamps
ordered last week, were not able to carry
torch lights contemplated, nor to make
the fine appearance they would if they had
I
the procession was extremely impressive,
and manifested the spirit which is extant
amongst the Lincoln men of Evansville.
Mr.. Clay was accompanied on to the plat
form by Messrs. Page and Decker, Presi-
dents of the Lincoln Club, and by other
prominent citizens of his party. When or
der was restored, he was introduced to the
audience by Dir. Page.
The speaker commenced by saying that
it might be surmised that he had no right
/ to come over here and take a part in our
! elections. He justified himself on the
ground that common interests were at
stake, and being citizens of n common
country, it was eminently right and proper
for him to come here on his errand. What
affects one citizen affects all. When one
member is i'll the whole body poltic is sick.
/ This is government of We, the People,
/ and not of the States. One great question
! interests us all-underles all party liberty.
| The great questions of the day hinge on
African slavery. If the simple question
was whether the African should be free, he
would not be there that night. The ques-
| ton was, whether the white man shall be
! free or not whether slavery was national
or sectional. If it is national our liberties
must go down If it is to be extended, we
are all interested. Our opponents are
thrusting the question on us, whether we
will permit its extension or not. The
speaker said, if 1t was good, extend it uni
versally; if evil, confne it to its present
locality, subject to moral and physical in
fuences.
Men of Indiana, said Mr. Clay, you are
bound under the Constitution to march to
put down servile insurrection. 1t is there
fore not a matter of indifference, but of vital
interest, whether slavery is extended.
Slavery is a source of weakness with the
Slave States. Itis productive of bloo1shed,
for the A, 200, 900 blacks in slavery entertain
feelings that show in the future war ot
races. It's motto is a" might makes right"
The slave is the natural enemy of the rul ing
class. The institution has proved a source
of weakness, dissolution and ruin wherever
it has existed. He instanced several ex-
amples of fallen nations to prove this.
Hungary, in modern times, had COM
menced trying to free herself by first
liberating her slaves aud arming them.
He drew dismal picture of Spain, once
a powerful kingdom, now prostrate and At
tue mercy of other nations. Slavery is the
cause of her downfall The Gar of Russia,
when defeated in the Crimea, did not go to
cursing and raving, but proceeded to free
his serEs, knowing that this would strength
en- his power at home
Mr.. c. then asserted that there was no
freedom of speech and Of the press South
of Mason and Dixon's line. He mentioned
case Of the suppression Of Mr.. Harbaugh.s S