The semi-weekly mountain Democrat., 1860-09-29
Douglas Meeting.


gall and the Hon. Joseph McCorkle"
would address the bogusites of this city
on Tuesday last. The announcement was
intended to attract mighty gathering;
candidates were instructed to notify their
friends. and orders were issued command
ing the faithful, on pain Of excOmmuni-
cation, to be present. In the evening our
streets presented their usual appearance,
but few strangers being in town, to the
chagrin Of the distinguished speakers,
who anticipated an ovation and met with
a sorry reception. Gen. McDougall as
pires to DR.. Gwin's place, and he wished
to convince the sovereigns of FL Dorado
that he was qualified to fill it crcditably.
We regret that every man in the county
was not present to witness his lamcntable
failure. In comparison with John Con-
ness he is nowhere.
After dark uncle Justice rang the bell
and several Of our town boys, stationed on
the balcony Of the Theuter, d" did the nu-
SIC" The novelty Of the music and the
persuasive eloquence Of uncle Justice,
attracted crowd, who were courtcously
invited into the Theatcr to hear the dis
tiriguished Orators' Shade of Henry,
forgive US the insultD Alex. Hunter,
ESQ.,, ready for the fearful emergency,
moved that uncle Mike Shearer-a gentle
man who might not inaptly be termed
"sorc hcad'-take the chair. Four per-
sons responded aye, and uncle Mike grace
fully "took the chair" Jack johnson,
inconsidcrately and prematurely, cried
McDougall, McDougall but no ono as
sisting the enthusiastic Jack, he mourn
fully subsidcd. On motion Of some gen.
tlcman in a corner, several Vice Presi-
dents were appointed, and our indefatiga-
bic friend Alex moved the appointment
of Mr.. Chapman as Secretary. The pre-
liminary arrangements, after much per-
plcxity, having been completed, the chair
man furtively winked at Jack, who took
the hint and again opened loud for Nc
Dougall. With singular alacrity that
gentleman responded to the call, as if i'm
patient to show off to an admiring crowd.
lie stepped near the footlights, and with
an easy, unembarrasscd air informed the
audience that before he concluded he
would convince them that it was their
duty to vote for Douglas and johnson. 1t
wasarash hassertion,prcsumptuouslym made,
feebly sustained. lie promised much,
performed little He ridiculed, miSrepre-
sented and ungenerously assailed John c.
Breckenridge, and with objectionable
egotsm boaSted of what he had done
while in Congress. lie stated that he
knew Breckenridge well; that he OBJ
made it a point to dodge all important
questions; that he was man Of mega
tive character, an ordinary speaker but
no statesman; that he was an enemy Of
California; that he never took sides on
any issue until he first ascertained which
was the popular side; that he wanted to
decline running, but that old Buck would
not permit him and that he was Wing
in Iowa.
Not a particle Of proof did he present
to support his assertions, nor could he.
Breckenridge is distinguished for his bold
ness, his frankness, his iirmness, his mod
esty, his fidelity to principle, his undcvi-
ating devotion to the Democratic party,
and his ardent patriotism. lie has moth
ing Of the trickster, nothing of the dema-
goguc, nothing Of the trimmer, about him.
Unlike his dcfamer, he is the favorite of
the people, the champion of the Constitu-
ton and the Union, the embodii1ent of
Democracy. He is not, like McDougall,
remarkable for the fidelity with which
he has sought success, and the felicity with
which he has failed" Drcckinridge's po-
litical history is complete, overwhelming
refutation Of the allegations Of McDou-
gall. There are gentlemen living in our
town, of uniInpeachable veracity, who
have known Breckenridge intimately and
almost from infancy, who positively and
emphatically deny that ho ever wavercd
in his devotion to the Democratic party.
They were amazed at the boldness, the
rashncss, the utter falsity of McDougall's
statement. They knew it to be false and
they hesitated not to say so.
Again: He said he held Breckenridge
responsible for the defeat Of the Pacific
Railroad Bill lie sat by his side while
the vote was being taken, and when
Breckinridge's vote killed it, he rose in
his seat and remarked:
"John G. Breckenridge, you are Young
man, an ambitious man, IA promising man, but
You have this day bllghted your prospects.
will recoeCt this vote and tell The people of
California to recollect it. And to-day, gentle
men, am keeping my promise"
We have, We think, quoted his exact
language. Now, by McDougall's own
admission, four years ago he was either a
traitor to the people of California, or a
traitor to the Democratic party. Let him
take either horn Of the dilemma, and he
has voluntarily placed himself in an unen-