Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1860-10-05
OR1arN or rHE Wlpr AwAKrs.-N

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ORIdiNop rHE WIDE AwAKEs. New
England claims the birthplace Of this
Hartford being the Connec-
lieut. cradle in which the infant was
nurtured. 1t originated in accident,
like many another event fraught with
great porHnt, and rapidly assumed its
present gigantic pre- portions. It hap
pened in this wise: On the night Of the
25th of February, 1860, the city of
Hartford was much moved by the ad-
vent of the Hon. Cassius NJ. Clay, the
we'll known Republican orator, who was
to address the worthy citizens Of The
vicinity. Some enthusiastic young
of the neighborhood de-
cided to act as an escort to the distin-
guished visitor, and in pursuance Of
this design borrowed from q fire com
pany hard BY some of their iremen's
torches. Being Of q rather fastidious
turn of mind, and withat inclined to
protect their broadcloth from oily inno-
walton, they procured some glazed cloth
and cut in it the form of capes to pro-
tect their shoulders. A few glazed caps
completed the prerarstions, and thus
equipped they started 20 meet the ora
tor, Their novel half military ap-
pearance attracted considerable atten-
ton and drew forth the plaudits of the
assembled multitude, rewarding them
for their forethought. On their return
home one of the party was attacked by
a sturdy Democrat. But q blow from
the original Wide-Awake torch stretch
ed him on the ground and stopped all
further disturbance. Before dismissal
a meeting was held, AMI after express
ing their Indignation at the attack, they
resolved to form club of limited num-
bers, equipped with swinging torches
and black capes and caps, to act as q
special escort on occasions Of public
parade, and be ready at all times for
any like duty that might forward the
Republican cause. In pursuance Of
these resolutions a meeting Of young
men was held on the Sd of March fol-
lowing, who resolved to form a "Wide
Awake" club Of fifty, under the COM
mand of Capt. James s. Chalker, the
gentleman who fellcd the pugnacious
Democrat on tho first parade. A con-
stitution was adopted, officers elected,
and all the necessary steps taken. The
opposition press Of Hartford, little
imagining that this was the initiation
Of gigantic movement. made them
selves very merry at the expense of the
Hartford Wide Awakes +; abiding to
their uniform, they christened them the
"Mantilla Cadets" and, as some of the
first members were young men, called
them the "Flfty infants whose mamas
didn't know they were out :" asked
that a "stick of candy be presented to
each one," &C., &c. In spite of their
| jibes and jeers the movement spread like
wildfre, and at the next meeting, held
only three days after their organization,
they were obliged to dispense with tie
rule limiting their numbers, and imme'
diately enrolled a nuhber Of new men,
bers. At their first parade, held soon
after, they counted by hundreds, and
their fame aoised abroad. In the
course cf fortnight, clubs were started
in bridgeport, Waterbury, Norwich,
Uaionvillc, and in nearly all the towns
throughout the State. Men Of all ages
and occupations fostcred and encour-
aged, the ers anization. On the 9th
of March, at the dedication of q camp
in Hartford, over two thousand Wide
Awakes assembled, parading the streets
in torchlight array, and, owing to the
Immense number Of torches, making d
most brilliant and imposing appearance
The Republicans Of Hartford were
overwhelmed with letters from all parts
Of the q ion, asking for information
touching their rules, manner Of organ
izaticn, drills, &c. 1t was at last
found necessary to inauguratc some
system by which these letters could be
answered, aid notice was inserted IL
all the Republican journals, that Mr..
II 7. Sperry,ss corresponding secretary
Of the Hartford Wide Awakes, would
give all desired information. In the
course Of few weeks that gentleman
had received and fled over 800 commu-
nicatloEs..
Thus the Wide Awake movement was
insugurated, rapidly extending Its ram
ifcations from Maine to Missouri -
n: \. Herald
POPULATION OF THE THREE GREAT
COUNTRIES OF TIE WoRLD.-The pop
ulation Of Great Britain England,
Wales, Scotland, and Ircland,) by the
census,of 1858. was %, 1854 1862, and
that ofsTrancc -hy tho census Of 1858
vas 63, 2O5,792. The United States
numbered 23g19l,876 BY the ceusus of
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