Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-09
A Genuine Democracy in Illinois
--EncUurasinE Signs-State E.,is'.
&c. &c.
DECATUR, H., Oct. l, 1863.

.s......i. DECATUR, ILL.,, Oct l, 1863.
DEAR JOURNAL This morning, with near
ly five thousand men, women and children
left Springfield upon an excursion train fol
this place. During the journey formed the
acquaintance of an elderly, but vigorous look
ing man, who migrated from Kentucky and
settled near Springfield about forty five years
ago, before dwelling marked the present
site of that city. Receiving his political ed.
ucation at the feet of Henry Clay, and still
adhering TO his teachings, he can find TO
words too strong to express his contempt for
those men who quote Mr.. Clay as authority,
whereby they may justify treason. found
him an enthusiastic Union man, strongly in
favor Of giving the rebellious South enough
Of war; Our baggage car contained very
mirthful company, composed in most part of
rather fascinating creatures of the feminine
persuasion, attended by very desirable COM
panions, who had evidently left home for a
big time and lots of fun. In due time we
reached the Fair Grounds, where most of our
excurslonists left the train--others continued
on toward the city, myself included. My
first bu>iness was to find Maj. Gen. McCler-
nand, and giving prompt attention to that
duty, I was introduced into the presence of
some twenty gentlemen representing various
parts Of the State, whose identity with the
Democratic party of Illinois cannot and will
not be questioned. Present were Gems. Nc
Clernand, Ogelsby, Judge Hoyne of Cairo,
Col. Il. Fl Harris, ex-M G. = Raum, Judge
Taylor, Hons. Kyrkendall, Post Ingersoll
and others whose names have not space to
mention. They were busy upon platform
spinal affection.
Having with great pleasure listened to the
my way to the extensive Fair Grounds of this
State TO see what our friends on this side Of
the big river could show to the world. Out
side the enclosure I found tents, booths and
other camping out "fxins," with wagons and
buggies too numerous to count. Inside,
found not far from 10000 people filing The
vast amphitheatre, crowding around the ring,
pack ng the Floral Hall and making impas
sable the entrance to the hall for farm pro-
ducts. So great was the multitude that it
were usel SIS to seek for familiar faces. For
once in my life fell more interest in the ex-
hibtion of stock than the trotting. The fact
is lover of good things could not turn away
from the large collection of Spanish Merinoes
and South Downs, or the Durhams and De-
vons, nor yet from the Chester hite and
other breeds of hogs. fell in love with
splendid draught horse weighing l742 lbs,
tions with symmetry of form, and only four
years old, were marvellous. Of fancy horses
there were more than the usual variety. Ma
boclish and St. Louis horse trotted for a
private purse Of 5000, the latter making the
first heat, but Naboclish taking the best two
in three, with time at 2:344 and 1929.
Having examined the great variety Of farm
ing implements, the fruits, works of art,
horses, horned cattle, &c, &C., made my
way to an omnibus well filled but having
room for zone more," with the determination
to give our Sucker friends my say-so that
their Fair was grand success, and the
grounds, buildings and convenlences are no
where excelled. Having waited in vain for
my supper ticket until an empty stomach re-
quired reinforcement of supplies l there
fore struck "B' line for a restaurant The
inner man refreshed, very cordially accept
ed an invitation extended by some good
Democrats and went to a genuine simon pure
Jackson Democratic meeting none of your
bogus concerns where fossilizsd Wings and
hopeful Know Nothings mingle in the Butter
nu. cauldron with small demagogues whom
the Democracy bad ceased to honor on ac-
count of the dishonor they brought upon the
name and traditions of that party. 1t was
not made up of men who have sought our
shore to escape the tyranny Of the old world
and having learned little English use it in
denouncng the very government whose pro-
lection they seek. Rather it was made up of
men whose names have been recorded on
Democratic rolls for forty years and under,
whose heads have grown white with their
long continued devotion to party, men who
were patfiarchs in the Democratic fam ly
when the Merricks, Fullers, Thayers, and
like were not yet in their swaddle garments
men who were fighting Democratic battles
when the Hunts, McHenrys, Wallaces and
Gilberts were warning against them in Know
Nothing camps. Such were the men who
made up IN great part the great War Demo-
cratic Convention. Never was building
more densely packed than the Court ROOM
Hon. Mr. Kyrkendall was elected President,
who in his opening speech stated that for
"forty -one years he had stood firm in the
Democratic faith: 'Our Country, right or
,oronq,' and having been faithful so long, be
did not propose to be read out by apostates
who had no love except for treason and slave
ry" A committee on platform was appoint
ed, and their report soon made was greeted
with tempest of applause. The resolution
endorsing the "confscation of rebel property,
not excepting slaves" was cheered and cheer
ed again and louder and again and still loud
er, until the very walls trembled. General
McClernand was called out and made strong,
stirring, eloquent speech, such as have new
er before heard equalled in the West. 1t was
mastery effort and will not do him the
injustice to attempt to report it Let the peo
pie of Iowa hear him at Muscatine on the
10th and judge TOR themselves. He was fol-
lowed by the gallant Col. Raum, in splen
did speech, keeping his listeners in fine hu.
NOR and making every blow tell: Amid loud
cries and determination to make him speak
whether he would or no. Hon. E. G. Ingerscll