The Cass County Republican. [volume] (Dowagiac, Mich.) 18??-1880, 1860-07-12
The Democracy of La Grange.


cordant Democracy of La Grange to
day have been holding what they in
tended should have been grand jubi-
lee on the occasion of raising what they
called liberty pole. And we admire
the shaft that is raised until it seems
to pierce the very heavens with the
flag of the free thrown CALAMITY to the
breeze. Yet when we see it raised by
men who are voting to extend the bar
barism of slavery over the virgin terri
tory of the United States under such
leaders as Breckenridge, and the sink
ing Douglas, we say within ourselves
let it remain towering in granduer in
its own forest home rather than bring
it forth to be polluted by the touch of
those who will not endeavor to perpet-
uate free institutions, and the blessings
of liberty of which that is an emblem.
Well, they wanted a grand Jubilee,
but signally failed, unless the Bacchan-
allan feast which followed could be ac-
counted as such. And it was edifying
to the hearts of Republicans to behold
the manner in which the. Democrats
who were deserving the sinking ship
OF false Democracy remained at home.
Every preparation was made to en-
terrain all that might come, prepare.
tons both for the inner man and the
ear of man, the last of which went no
farther-never touched the heart.
About 10 O'clock a few stragglers be-
gan to arrive in town and continued
until about the middle of the afternoon.
When the speakers along with two or
three loads from Dowagiac appeared,
making majority of those present.
Preparations were Immediately made
for raising the pole which was upon
the grounds, and in short time it was
under way. Then came the tug of
war. A pole Of liberty was hard for
them to raise, for among that party
were Breckenridge men and Douglas
men Slave Code men and Sqratter
Sovereignty men; Pro Slavery and
Anti Slavery men, but all agreeing and
believing that they with their candi-
dates stood upon one and the same
platform. rTr ta
After much exertion it stood erect,
ready to receive its colors at the mast
head, which were now being brought
forward. But here new difficulty
presented itself-the flag would rot
unfurl to the breeze. Tn vain did the
aids Of the redoubtable Gibbs lower
it again and again, and after having
held it at arms length, hoist away, for
no sooner did it raise above half mast
than it would droop as before and hang
lifelessly upon the cords as if ashamed
that it was to serve under the so-called
democratic party. AS if it did not
wish to show that engraven on its front
was the name of Douglas alone. No
Observation-Disclosures that they could
find that would stand with such a po
litical milestone. 1t was finally con
Guided to let it remain hoisted-ecen u
it aoould not float. S. n. CAN'T, Esq,
then came forward and proposed three
cheers for somebody, we did not hear
who, which was promptly responded
to by the greater part of the fifty
largest COUNTY men and boys who
composed the assemblage, after which
he addressed them in his usual manner
for about the space of fifteen minutes.
after which he was followed by Mr.
Scribner of Dowagiac. The amount
of enthusiasm was very low notwith-
standing the barrels of Whiskey that
was on hand for the occasion, and OF
which a great deal was drank. After
the speeches came the supper with its
bumpers and the breaking of, glasses
when the party mostly dispersed, some
to their homes, and some by the way
side unable to get home. One good
democrat having become somewhat
eloquent from the fact of having taken
too much, mounted a stump and adj
dressed the saw-logs around him until
unable any longer to stand upon his
platform he rolled off and remained hid
until he was found by others who were
in the same Incorporate condition as
himself. sa s~es csc
Altogether it was an affair that made
every respectable Democrat ashamed
of the party to which he belonged,
ashamed on account of the pole hav-
ing been placed where, after the elec-
ton, the top will be taken off and used
for tavern sign, the same as a former
one, ashamed of the disgraceful lam
guage used in reference to negroes and
the insults that were offered to free