Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-09-06


one in black to personate Kansas. This was
decked and decorated by evergreens, ban
ners. &c.
Behind this came barge or RIFT on which
was a rail fence. Behind this came seven
four horse wagons with colors flying, bear
ing full loads of men and women. Wayne
county and Michigan were Wide Awake and
in town.
The city was now full of people in streets
and houses, and at the lowest estimate there
were not less than thirty housand persons
gathered to celebrate the event. The general
verdict gave twenty thousand more.
The route Of procession was very long
one, but was borne with true military en-
durance by the Wide Awakes, who num-
bered from $500 to 5000.
THE AUDIENCE HALL
The speaking in the afternoon was to be
in the Detroit and Milwaukee Railroad De-
pot. This immense room is capable of hold
ing, at the least calculation, ten thousand
persons, partition u feet high dividing the
depot proper from the dock, the whole being
under one roof. Two trains of platform cars
were ranged along one side, the rear one be-
ing filed with seats. At the north end was
platform for the speaker, invited guests and
members Of the Press. In front of this was
a space partitiOned of for ladies, which was
densely crowded. The rest was open stand
ing place. The whole was finely decorated.
THE GATHERING OF THE Multitude.
The speaking was to commence at O'Clock.
At half-past one we went to the depot, and
then the building had perhaps a thousand
persons in it. Fast and faster they came,
and in a short time it seemed that the large
hall was filed, and still they came. Through
the open gates the masses poured like the ad
vancing surges of the ocean surf, until the
building presented indeed a sea of upturned
faces to the speaker. So densely were the
people packed, that those in the midst of the
crowd could not move, and could scarcely
breathe. It was glorious meeting of thirty
thousand feemen.
The depot, dOck-yard and streets adjacent
were perfectly packed with those eager to
see and hear, and to testify to their Republi-
can principles.
Gov. SEWARD
appeared upon the stand at o'clock, and
then such cheers arose as one hears but sell
dom in lifetime. Liketh Atlantic waves
dashing against the rocky heights of Nahant,
the voice of the multitude went up until it
seemed that the roof would rise upon the
sea of sound. Again and again the cheers
arose, each time with increasing power.
Gov. Wisner, of Michigan, introduced Mr..
Seward as " the champion of human liberty
and the property of the people," Then
again went up the cheers, three times three
and. three times epeated-went up like the
rushing and roaring explosions of a volcano.
1t was like nothing we had ever heard be-
fore. Hats were swung in the air, handker-
chiefs waved, and throats torn in the effort
to obey the injunction,
% 1TiCh l,ou~ tbor,crl, % raur raicas rai-o
Verify, 1t was a grand and fearful thing
grand to those who saw in it the united
hearts of the tens of thousands assembled
there in devotion to the distinguished speak
er, and fearful to him who would dare at
tempt to Withstand its force.
Gov. Seward proceeded to address the null
titude, and for an hour held their close atten-
tioa. His speech was clear end logical, pre-
senting facts and arguments in close array,
and successive charges. He was frequently
interrupted with cheers and applause. We
shall not attempt any analysis of his speech.
Such was the vastness of the crowd that
another meeting was formed, and Gen. Nye
gave one OF his wide awake, rousing speeches.
But the people could not all hear yet, and so
another, and then another was formed, and
speaking was done from all four stands at
once. B. F. Wade, of Ohio, Mr.. Thatcher,
of Kansas, Mr.. Blair, candidate for Governor
of Mich, J. NJ. Howard, of Detroit, and
Gov. Wisner were the speakers.
A slight rain fell for an hour in the after
noon, which laid the dust and cooled the air.
THE ToRCHLIGHT PROCESSION.
The grand feature of the celebration was
yet 10 come. The companies of Wide Awakes
met at the Campus Martius at O'Clock for
a torchlight parade. The grounds were fine
ly Illuminated with locomotive lamps, taste
ful gas jets, &c.
The route of procession led up Fort street,
past the residence of Senator Chandler,
whose guest Gov. Seward was during his
stay. A wagon containing three lighted To-
comotive lamps headed the procession. The
Detroit companies, headed by the Light
Guard Band, led the van of the procession,
the Cleveland delegation following. As the
column passed before Senator Chandler's it
halted, and the Cleveland Wide Awakes
sent up q great number of roman candles,
which they had provided, being the only
ones upon the line. These filled the air
with beautiful trails of light, and the sudden
and gorgeous pyrotechnic display surprised
the Detroiters. At the close of the exhibi-
tion three cheers were given by the Detroit
company for the Clevelanders. Gov. Seward
stood at the window, and evidently enjoyed
the spectacle.
The display was very fine one, the pro-
cession being over a mile in length, of light
blazing torches. The numerous bands of
music made the air vocal with martial and
national airs.
All along the route the sidewalks were
crowded, and cheer arose after cheer. It
was grand triumphal march, brilliant and
beautiful.
After pursuing a long line of march, the
companies were dismissed at the Campus
MartiuS, heartily weary, but with strength
enough for rousing parting cheers. The
Cleveland company then betoOk themselves
to their boat.
Viewed as a whole, the meeting was a
grand and almost unexampled ovation. 1t
was the greatest day Detroit has ever seen,
and one which forcibly spoke the hearts Of
the people. Stirring Wide Awake Republi-
cans were brought together from all parts Of
the State and took counsel together. A new