Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-09-07
Correspondence of the Journal
Clinton County Wide Awake {!
LYONS, Clinton Co., Towa,(
Anpnst 30 1860.

August 80, 1860. !
FRIEND MAu1N 1T was my privilege, te
be in attendance upon one of the best and
most enthusiastic Republican Mass Meetings
which has yet been held in our State. The
ball was set in motion on Tuesday evening
by torch.light procession of the Wide
Awakes who, after going through various
evolutions, squeezing Democrats, making
rail fences, &C., proceeded to the residence
of J. H. Flint, Esq, aud being drawn up on
the beautiful green, in front of the same,
were welcomed by few happy remarks
from Mr.. Flint, who was followed by his
estimable wife in an original verse address,
preparatory to the presentation of beauti-
full banner, painted by herself. The design
of the banner is the Goddess of Liberty,
standing upon the steps of the temple, who,
with star, is lighting the torch in the hands
of Wide Awake, in full uniform, who stands
at her feet. In the distance is river, (salt y
beneath whose waves may be seen the sink
ing ship, Democracy. Over the whole is
inscribed, Liberty our Light" Mrs. Flint,
by this painting, has confirmed her reputa-
ton as an artist Of no ordinary merit. The
banner was received by J. 81. Hawes, Esq,
President Of the Wide Awakes, in brief
address, after which all retired to their
homes.
On Wednesday noon, the Wide Awakes of
Dewitt were received. At 2 O'Clock P. M :,
the people assembled in grove, prepared
for the occasion. The lowest estimate made
Of the number present is 1000; from that to
1900 is about correct. The first speech was
made by J. A. Chapline, of Dubuque, can
didate for Presidential elector, who showed
up the double-headed Democracy in its true
light. 1t was good speech, and did much
good. But the great speech of the day was
that of Lieut. Governor Noble, of Wiscon-
sin. From the time he commenced, through
period Of two hours, he held every man
and woman spell-bound by the beauty
and subllmity Of his rhetoric, but by the
soiidity and simplicity Of his arguments,
interspersed as they were by his ssirrepress.
ible" wit. Not a pereon left the place dur
ing the ech. His stabs at the Dem ocracy
were made with such grace and good humor
that even the Democrats themselves were
to "knoek under" Mr.. Noble
made such an impression upon the minds of
those who heard him yesterday as will be-
seen and felt in its influence on the 9Th of
November next. We hope he may visit our
State again, and often, as we regard him as
one Of the most effective and popular polit-
cal speakers in the Northwest.
Mr.. N. was followed by S. P. Adams,
Esq.,, of Dubuque, who, although very
,oarse from frequent speaking, kept the
mass in roar of enthusiasm, for one hour,
when the meeting adjourned until evening.
The principal feature in the evening was the
procession and drill of some 200 Wide
Awakes, from Lyons, Fulton, Clinton, and
Dewitt. Gov. Noble and others addressed
he people in the open air. The proceedings
# the evening were participated in by at
east 5000 people, and were marked with
he most unbounded enthusiasm.
At 70 O'Clock NJ, the crowd began to dis.
,erse. with the fixed determination to roll
ID q good 400 majority for Lincoln and
iamlin in Clinton county. Converts are
laily coming over from rotten and cor
upt party now in power, who are begging
or trial Of four years more, which, in the
language of Mr.. Noble, ssthey cannot have
a anv possible contingency, as Old Abe
rants to try his hand" Yours, z. |,