Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1860-09-22


The ASSAULT ON FRANK BLAIR,-There
was violent and dastardly attempt to break
up republican meeting in Hannibal, Mo, on
the 18th inst. The meeting was called to or
der at 81 O'Clock, and Mr.. Frank p. Blair, Jr,
took the stand. Mr.. Blair commenced in a
calm, philosophical discussion of the home.
stead bill, reviewing its features at length, and
the action of the republican party in the house
of representatives and the senate thereon,
comparing their record with that of the nation.
al democracy. He had not proceeded more
than fifteen minutes before he was interrupted
constantly by cries Of "Hurrah for Douglas
"Hurrah for Bell and Everett" "Hurrah for
Breckenridge" These remarks were so loud
as to drown everything that was said on the
stand
Mr.. Hatch, candidate for circuit attorney of
Marion county, was on the stand, and attempt
ed to quell the noise He remarked that their
conduct was discreditaLle TO Hannibal and 10
themselves, and that by their noise they were
indirectly admitting that the republicans could
not be answered whereas, he assured them,
he was there for that very purpose, and that
"the cause of the country was safe in his
hands" although if not match himself for
his opponents, his cause was equal, and with
such cause he could use them up. He fin.
ished his appeal by saying that when Mr..
Blair was through he would reply to him, and
promised to use him up completely.
Mr.. Blair resumed, and spoke about an hour
and a quarter, with occasional Interruptions.
During his speech some dastardly scoundrel,
who took good care to hide himself, threw
dozen eggs and a few rocks toward the plat
form. Mr., Blair did not notice these assaults,
but calmly surveyed the crowd, which by this
time numbered several thousand, and awaited
the result. There were only one or two
breaks in his remarks, caused by these inter
ruptions, and otherwise it proceeded as if Moth
ing had happened Every effort was made to
find the miscreant who threw the missiles, and
on Friday it was found that they came trSa9
the top of house on the opposite side of the
street. Mr.. Blair handled the slavery ques
ton without gloves reviewing the policy of
the republican party and defining the differ
ence between their principles and abolitiOnism
When he had concluded, the Mr.. Hatch before
mentioned arose to use Frank Blair complete
r ly up" as he expressed it, and probably OF all
the disgustingly false and foolish speeches
made in this canvass this of Mr.. Hatch S is the
worst As soon as Mr. Hatch was through he
called on MIR. Glover to reply. Mr. Glover
said that he was DESTROYS OF saying only few
words. The crowd hooted and yelled, and
several eggs came toward the stand
Hatch appealed to the crowd, and, while doing
SO, three or four eggs struck him in the
face and on the shirt-bosom, causing mingled
Indignation and laughter. Mr.. Glover re-
marked that the meeting was sustaining the
high character given them by Mr.. Hatch, and
giving him the best defence his case admits
Of He then left the stand in company with
Mr.. Blair. They were followed to the hotel
by several merchants and other citizens of
Hannibal, and urged to return and reply, but
declined.