The New York herald., 1862-10-31
Mr.. WOOD AND HIS CONSTITUENTS,
A Break Gown and Caiistrsphe----sobeay
Nuri.---FerEando's Speech,
ke.. &c.. &c.

Last night the neighborhood whore M, Wood was to
have his constituents the Of an accident
which for time led those who had asscmblea to fear
that serious injury had resulted 10 many Mr. Wooa sa'
appointed 10 meet his friends at rookes Assembly Raos
Broonc street, and there aud the noghborng sreets
his supporters were gathering fast. with banners
band and flags, aud all the strects leading thereto
were bright with bonhrcs and nnumeraole lights
prepared for the Tho hour was liked tof the
appearance of Mr. wood himself but with the luck which
uureqnenty decides in favor OF the just as well as
the unjust and which has made heroes MS well as
tyrs Mr. Wood did not come up 10 the appointed time
and escaped Of his friends who wore then stand
ing OH his platform That PLATFORM as the result proved
was not upon which the great Fernando would wish
to stand seeing that no had been there he would have
come earth with perhaps more injury than Brutus did
when lie kissed his mother
The democracy had assembled to meet Mr.. Wood at
Brookes' dancing academy, in Broome street, between
broadway and the Bowery. An immense assenb,sge
had rnsned to the room, and thousands had taken up
,hs stand filling up the whole space when hen the meet e..
appearance but 1t was clear from the first that when he
didwhat with the crowds inside and those who would
endeavor to fellow him-that the where the meet
ing to be held would be tried beyond its capacity
The Brookes' Assembly Rooms have been a very
has or b pss s ccn M vess
dancing rooms and felt the slightest apprehen
sion as TO their stability in any respect That was how
meeting yesterday, for the ratification Of Fernando
Wood US member Of Congress for the Fifth dis
assoy Asset was Eoom Ss ana
gathered at the appointed time the chiefs and
their retainers Of that district The usual amount OF
banners and ags aud ransparencos were there and IN
full ioce the rnks proceeded 10 the room whero the
meeting to be holden. few OF the lesser lights
holding FORTH when party carrying banner,
spicuous with Greeley and contsaband u character
attracted general attention, and rush was made to the
centre of the room near the bearer Of the banner Mr.
DarL af thp uQ maut AL wi
q rush 10 one point, the centre OF the room
was followed BY premonitory creaking OF the
succession Of reports followed by general crash Of two
thirds OF the floor and down went largo portion OF the
people mingled OF frightened individuals.
Screams and cries followed and those above who escaped
the catastrophe stood it were upon platform, from
whence they looked down upon the wreck below. An
alarm Immediately given, and several fire companies
upon the ground with a promptncss which cbarac
terizes at all times brave lremen Capt Carpenter
with force OF police, also promptly present
and did much to quiet the excitement which for time
prevailed. Everybody was fortunately more frightened
than hurt ana though hats and caps and some note books
Of reporters lost there report OF loss OF lie
limb. The rooms tho floor OF which was thus crushed
down by overwhelming crowd of people to one point at
the same moment, are known as Mr. Brookes' Assembly
Rooms, Broome street. IL is dancing establishment
with the general arrangements OF which last evenings
accident will not interfere.
We heard of being scratched and bruised but
none that we're seriously hurt.
MR.. WOODS SPEECH.
appear before you to night In the attitude OF cand
date for your sufrages If elected shall have duty TO
perform Of great responsibility. Upon this occasion it
would to be proper that my remarks should have
il elected. IL would appear, therefore, that should
speak OF myself which rarely do in my addresses to the
public. i think may say with truth that in the many
efforts that have made at public speaking in Of
them have essayed TO justify or appreciate myself
peraton and caiumny, have never lowered myself 70
the evel Of those who assaed me. Looking upon per
s ss nothing principles sss syenn inye -
day-in tho abuse OF candidates for Office Indeed
can 60 further, and say that have never, in public
discussion or in my public career. assaed the coed
name or impugned the motives Of political antago.
niss. have not made partisan controversy per.
sonal warfare have entertained no political dine
rences which excite in me personal resennents
Therefore, my friends in the remarks which intend TO
submit to your consideration tonight shall not ipeach
shall attempt the defence OF myself from the attacks Of
others stand before you and the voters Of the Fifth
Congressional district upon the principles which have
support Of mono who do not agree with me, that my
views Of public questions be thus passed upon by the
peopIe OF The district a the polls. The next Congress OF
the United Safcs viii bc IN Its responsibilities and du
ties most august assembage None such has convened
upon this continent since the convention which framed
damenal law to govern ALL 50 will the next CoigTess "a
termine whether that law shall continue operative or
whether 1t shall cease to be recognized and respected
And II 1t resolves for the maintenance of it, rather
for the restoration OF II, new questions, unpre
cedented in our history as they will be mo-
mcntous in determining our national fate will ne
cessary force themselves upon its attention One OF its
first duties will be restore tho administration Of the
70 It's proper position within the restrictions
utve department independent OF the legislative yet in
times like these the influence Of the latter upon the
former, properly directed Is sufficient to accomplish
this The present Congress and tho maladmnisraon Of
the government have complicated the condition Of pub
lie affairs embarrassing condition at home and atti
abroad effects Of these errors well as the
themselves must be corrected before the power Of
the national arm can be properly directed in dealing
elective blows upon the revoutionists hold that these
reforms and changes will be Of the first obligations
the people tina, will devolve upon ,hc next Con.
gress. Because, ir this war shall be continucd--
If 1t is 20 abe vigorously prusecnted,' in the
language or the day-we admonished by
the failures Of the past that different policy ms: be
adopted To avoid disasters in the future. thipI 4hat
do not lay myself liable TO the charge OF trairous pro
cvtes in saying that amcntnbe faults bve been com
mittsd by rulers. These have no. been confined 70
any department OF the government look in vain into
the legislation Of Congress- into tho management OF the
executive departments, and into the couduct tho war;
to ind ability and parbsm commensurate TO the
gency OF the crisis do not impeach the motives OF the
President, but Cannot avoid the conviction that his
Judgment has Seen at fault especially when yielding TO
the rdgmgt Of others and the hcsitancy uncertainty
which las at times betrayed itself Is probably the best
proc Of this. These facts have created want Of conf
1ence In the patriotism In the wisdom Of those around
him. hope may not be misunderstood Ia saying
that the President. however pure minded SHOULD pos
sess hrmnsss Whatever ..sr aur..y ne may require,
consfepcy OF punse n essential in the conduct pub
affairs. Ara II to this is added resolution and inde
pendence success will almost always crowa the ebert
Ineo qualities necessary In pea0eu times are napeh
eaDe now. Wncn tne Ciouu lOWeTB Ivy
and destruction threatens, we must have nerve ana
brain When Mr. Lincoln passed through this city o.. ais
way Washington 10 assume his position aa President
had the honor 10 give him an official reception In tn
Governors room at the City Hail. In the remarks which
submitted 10 him at that time, attempted to portray
the difficulties which saw no would encounter after
his entrance into oce and 70 courteousy express an
opinion as 10 what course, In my Judgment 10 would be
necessary for him to adopt My republican friends deem
admoncns - gratuous and untaled for. Mr.
Lincoln evidently did net consider them. He
.t,aA tn ntSiA ma and rknet, t~ft
which convinced me OF the clearness OF
his head and the goodness OF his heart In his response
he illustrated Of his positions by comparing the
try 10 a ship ia a storm In which he referred to himself
AZ the captain and said that II It should become
70 tighten vessel he would throw overheard cargo
before he would the passengers. now alude TO this
nautical reference tho President for the purpose
ing that IL this country Is ship In storm, aud constsr
nation prevails among passengers and crew, the captain
should hold the holm with Q steady hand. He of al
others should be self RELIANT stern and COOL rejecting the
conflicting advice Of subordinatss, relying upon hin