Daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1865, 1861-02-04
the GREAT MEETING


People.
On Saturday evening about twenty-five
bundred people assembledat the Atheueum
to hear the speech of the Hon. sherrard
Clemens. ]. H. McMechen, ESQ, was
called to the Chairand Henry Crangle was
appointed Secretary,
Loud calls for Clemens brought that
gentleman before the footlights, and after
waiting for the applause to substde, he
proceeded to make one of the most elo.
quent, stirring, patriotic speeches that it
has ever been our lot to listen to.
Mr.. Clemens said that in sixteen years mo-
itical life he had never Witnessed such en-
thusiasm. Any man or any principle for
which such enthusiasm was manifested
was above defeat. He said that the fight
was being made on him, the whole force
of the light artillery wns brought to bear
on him while other candidates were per-
mitted to escape, but he would meet the
attack with all the vigor that it was made.
Mr.. Clemens rehearsed several charges
made against him on the street. Some of
his enemies had eudeayored to work upon
his German friends, by hawking about his
speech, and calling their attention to the
expression 'hog-oatiug Teutons" He
meant no disrespect to the Germans, and
they knew it. The assertion that he did
was base libel on the common sagacity of
men, if nothing else. 1t had also been
charged, said Dir. Clemens, that the work.
ingmen who nominated him were Republic
cans. Candidates were the servants of the
people, and Republicans bad right to
vote for who they pleased, but he denied
that they were Republicans, and referred
to the gentlemen themselves. Another
charge was that all his interests were in
Louisiana, seeding state. Such was
not the case. What little he had was
hcre-every dollar of it. He then appeal
ed to the naturalized citizens to stand by
the Constitution to which they had sworn
allegiance, and exhorted them to vote for
no man whose ddelity to tho Union was
uotNbove suspicion.
Mr.. Clemens then offered the floor to MIR.
Sweeney, who had come in, but loud cries
of Ego on, go on" induced the former to
proceed. He said he wanted Mr.. Sweeney
to have a respectful hearing. He was not
for putting down any man. He did not go
upon the prtnciple-"thc lower you sink
the higher aspire,"-hs would leave that
to other gentlemen, between whom and
himself there would one day be settle.
ment. he said he had thrown off party
shockles and party maledictions were
being shoWered upon him thick and fast
because he did so. He then made con-
vincing argument showing the disasters
and dangers. aud taxes that must inevitably
follow upon secession. We would get no
benefit from the opening of the African
slave tradc. The niggers would leave
here quicker than cream would curdle
under thunder storm. He was in favor
of the Union, the Constitution, and the
enforcement of the Laws. He had been
called Republican and his votes in Con-
gress this session had been pointed to as
evidences oft. He had voted for a roso-
luton Of thanks to the gallant Major
Anderson, who with his gallant little band
had nobly upheld the flag of his country.
lie had voted for Towards resolution to
appoint a committee of five to enquire into
the doings of traitors who sought to take
forcible possession of the capitol of their
country. If that was Republicanism, he
stood by it. He defied any honest demo-
crat to put his finger on the place where
he had departed from the creed of that
party as it was.
Mr.. Clemeus, after speaking nearly two
hours, took his seat. Mr.. Sweeney arose
and was received with shower of Kisses,
which continued until Mr.. Clemens got up
and begged his friends to be quiet. Mr..
SWceuey's friends had listened respectfully
to him and he asked his own friends to
show the same courtesy to Mr. Sweeney.
Mr.. Sweeney again proceeded and after the
kissing ceased, said that he had once be-
fore encountered Mr. Clemens in a canvass
before the people. On that occasion, said
he, / was successful.
A Yotce-YOu won't be this time
Mr.. Sweeney, continuing, said that on
the occasion alluded to Mr.. Clemens re-
marked to his audience in Wellsburg that
he was proud TO be the standard bearer of
the Democratic party. BE wanted 10
know what standard he was bearing now
Il hundred poiess-The Unionl the Unionl
sIr. Swetney-I undertake to say that
Mr.. Clemens is now the representative of
the Republican party of this city, whether
BY his own procurement or not do not
~ # r. y
say.
(Here the audience commenced Kissing
aud hoOting and Yauping aud yelling in a
terrific manner. Mr. Clemens arose, APP
psreutly for the purpose of replying. A