Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1861-09-07
COtUMBUs, o., Sept. 8, 1861, !
THURsDAY EVENING.

COLUMBUs, o., Sept. g. 1861,
THURSDAY EVENING. !
The Graad Union Convention has done
its work nObly, effsotualiy and satisfactO-
rily, and the members who had the honor
to participate in it are nov on their way
10 their several homes, every one Of them
worthy Of the oOmmendstion, "Well done,
good and faithful servant"
sent You at noon a report Of the pro-
eeedings Of the morning session, and COM
plete my report below;
A Bull RUE PANIC.
Just as the Convention was called to
! order this afternoon, and when the Chair
man had commenced to call the house to
order, the TheaIer being crowded to lis ut
most capacity, and more crOwding in every
moment upon those already within, those
sitting IN the center Of the lower floor felt,
or thought they felt sinking Of the floor
beneath them. The alarm was given BY 3
few thOughtless ones that "the floor is fall
ing" The cry was caught up and repeated,
e--SoN
lines, the whole audience upon the floor
and in the galleries was rushing with wild
and furious haste to the marrow doors.
erowding and crushing those in front, and
trumpling over benches aud men with equal
indifference to all but their own safety
Those of us upon the platform we're fortu-
nately safe from being crushed and tram
: pied down, the exit towards which the
panic stricken multitude were rushing be-
ing at the other end Of the building, but
for few minutes, not knowing the extent
Of the danger, we could only stand still
and wait for the result. Il was fearful
sight to see that maddenei crowd,
not only for the danger in which
those in 1t we're placed, but be
causs, If there had been any danger before,
it was aggravated hundred fold by the
swaying and rushing Of the mass. But the
danger had been almost entirely imaginary
and the house was nearly cleared without
serious accident. The floor had settled a
triae, it is true, but there was not more
thsn foot betwesn It and the solid ground ,
so no great danger could be doze.
A TRAVELLING CONVENTION.
But the panic hal an effect, and motion
was made and carried that the Convention
adjourn to the hall of the House of Repre-
sentatiYes. As the Theatre had been densely
crowded, there was grand rush for the hall
to get seats. The sight must have been su.
premely ridiculous to an outsider, equaling
She Balls Run flight ThrOafh the dust
over fences, down into bitches and ''acrOsi
: lots" generally rushed the crowd, for all th'
world like pack Of sheep. was one o
the sheep of course, for was not prOies
sionai sLeader, and with manuscript fut
tering in the wind, and coat-tails streaming
behind, managed to reach the door, wei
- blown, almost as soon as the first, being ac
companied BY halfa dozen quill-drivers. w,
were Just comfortably enseonced in our seat
in the House and had spread out our papers
= when word came tha- the Convention wa
organizing below upon the bread stone plat
form upon the East front OF the State House
Not caring to write upon our knees or upOl
each others backs We each seized chai
and atoled" It down upon our backs thTOug
the crowd to the platform, where, afte
numerous tackings and filings we at lengtl
= anchored by the table Of the Chairman.
ruE SITUATION.
There never could be plessanter lOcs
tiOn for Convention than that which "
nov occupied. The sun was hidden benin
The sCapitel, and pleasant breeze rendere
the cir delightfully."- oool. The broad ssOn
portioo was packed with the delegates an
spectators. While high over all the massiN
columns and walls were reared in the
simpls msgnifeencs. The CSnventiO
ITSELF numbered nearly five hundred, viii
: the spectators greatly exceeded that nun
Z ber.
ORGANIZATION.
Finally, the Convention being called
order, the first thing in order was the r
ports of committees. The COMMITTEES upC
Permanent Organization reported the fc
q loving officers
President-Hon. THOMAS EWING.
Fice Presidents -One from each distriC
-. 4E-Fg.-ea.