Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1863-03-08
The Great Meeting of Yesterday After-
noon.

There never was a grander. or more significant
assemblage Of freemen in the Capital City Of
Ohio than was that Of Saturday afternoon.-
Long before the hour appointed for the meet
ing, the people began to collect OF the Court
House, and when that time. had arrived, the
gatheiiug was immense. The fathers and
brothers Of many Of our soldiers were
there, to join with their fellow citizens
10 the solemn resolve, that there ahal be no
more mob violence 10 Columbus that the lib
critics and rights Of the people shall be main
tanned and defended that property shall not
again be destroyed, nor life endangered by a
mob.
The meeting was organized 10 the Court
Room, whom It Immediately adjourned to the
yard below, which was full to ovetAowing, as
we'll as the street beyond. We never before wit
messed grauder scene Decision, determine
ton and frmness, were depicted on every coun-
tenance Every man OF the thousands who
we're present appreciated the responsibilities Of
the hour, and will see to II that the solemn re-
eolves of the occasion are carried out. There
we're no towards at that meeting. Itwas made
upof as good men as ever assembled in this city.
The remarks Of the President, Hon. OTTo
DREsEL, on taking the chair, we're singulsrly
happy ard appropriate. He stated the object
of the meeting in few well-chosen words, and
recitsd the outrages and wrongs that have been
so patiently endured, in terms Of indignant
eloquence.
Gov. MEDARY's speech was one of the beet of
bis whole life. We have full notes Of 1t, as
well as of all the others that we're delivered on
the occasion, and regret that we have not room
t, print even synopais of them, this morning.
Toe Governor reviewed sharply and pointedly
the arbitrary and unconstitutional a,is of the
Federal and State Administrations and the
present Abolition war policy of Mr.. Lincoln
He alluded in proper terms TO the occasion Of
this meeting, and on behalf of himself and his
children and grand children, be thanked the
Democracy for the splendid demonstration OF
Friday night, and for the demonstration of Sat
urday.
trassed the condition of this country before the
war with its condition now; stated the position
o. the Democratic party in these troublous and
perilous times characterized the mob violence
of last Thursday night as every friend of Law
and Order must characterize it; condemned the
perversion of the war from its original purpose
to that of negro emancipation; closed with an
eloquent tribute to the Constitution and the
Union, and an earnest appeal in behalf of the
country and thanked the noble Democracy for
this magnificent demonstration, which insures
the peace, quiet and safety of the city.
Senator KENNY was next called for. He re.
sponded in capital speech, which was re-
ceived with great favor. After Mr.. X. had
concluded his eloquent and effective effort,
Judge THURMAN, from the committee on Resoln-
tions, reported preamble and series of reso-
lutions, which are an honor and credit to the
Democratic party. They contain neither too
much nor too little, but just enough; and were
adopted by such an emphatic and unanimous
vote as is seldom given.
The meeting would not let Judge THURMAN
off without speech. So be spoke for half an
hour in yindication Of the Rights and Pfvi.
l eges of;;American Freemen, as he alone can
speak. IL was speech of great force and
power.
Judge RAsKrN was the next speaker. He
made some happy hits, and sharp points, and
was rspturously applauded.
6aAuditor MAT. MARTIN made an effective and
telling speech, and was followed by Senator
JOHNSTON, who closed the speaking with one
of the ablsst and bes! speeches of the day
The speeches we're ell good. and we're all sp-
plsuded to the echo.
Altogether, this was one of the best meet
ings We ever attended, and its good results will
be felt aud appreciated by all our people.