Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1863-10-02
"A chiel's among us tax ing notes..

Mr.. MAHIN News arrived in our village
that the Dimmicrats We gathering wood, on
Friday, preparatory Of their burnt Offering,
and that the sacrifice would be offered on
Saturday at Overman's Ferry. 1 thought
those days were long gone by, but the report
being reliable, concluded to attend. l was
on the ground soon after the crowd gathered,
and it was not difficult to perceive the reason
it was not held on Friday.
The opening speech was made by j. H.
Wallace, who commenced by complimenting
the crowd on their good looks adding that
the people of Muscatne said Thayer and
himself could not tell the truth, Ga fact we all
knew and then going into fit OF laughter
as though that was something amusing.
He appear d very much like a man under
the influence Of laughing gas. as at the close
of every sentence his risib'e faculties became
so affected as to render it difficult for him to
proceed. never saw him before but would
like to be informed if. he is the best man Of
the party they have ins Muscatine; if so, they
have poor material.
He compared Abraham Lincoln to King
John, the tyraRt, and said if the people went
home and said he called him Abraham Lin
coin tyraut and usurper he should not
quarrel with them Mkt, he said that if
Vallandigham was elected Governor of Ohio,
and there was any difficulty about his taking
the gubernatorial chair, he would shoulder
his musket and march into that State. Then
he cried, "three cheers for Vallandigham,"
which were given.
If ever l felt my blood course through my
veins it was then, to hear that old arch traitor
cheered in my presence, and the Stars and
Stripes floating over such proceedings seemed
more than could bear. Next, he asked if
the crowd could tell him why he, an old
Wing, was there speaking for the Democrats ?
l could have told him in a few words-it was
because he thought he could stand better
chance for Office with the party he has at
tached himself to, and he certainly was no
loss to the Wing party. He expressed his
dislike to the word loyal, because the adh.-
ents TO King George in the revolution .o,,.,
themselves loyalists. lie SAID cane,
Loyal Leagues now and p hol,.,ad s' G.S ds
Loyal Leagues TO mid mt ike the word 70
- oo w. ou oa a' man who had not been loya
lily, his country, or his conscience
have listened to great many Unio1
speeches, since the commencement Of the wa
eloquent, soul-stirring spe. ches; speeche
which made US feel as though nothing woult
be too much for us to do or suffer to save oul
glorious Union, and to sit under such Cop
perhead harangue was impossible. Not on
word for our bic boys in the field not on
word against jeff. Davis or his acts. but al
against Abraham Lincoln and the administra
ton. He spoke once Of ''oUR conquered ter
ritory." eve have got Vicksburg; WE hav
got New Orleans; WE have got this and tina
place." as though people who take mo stool
in this war" have any right to our victories
every one of which has been dagger t.
them.
did not stay to see what disposition the,
made Of their burnt offering. as left, dis
gusted with the proceedings of such mel
trying to obtain Office, as that is all they ar
aiming at. pitied tho children and youth
but such men as Wallace and Thayer deserv
the fate that awaits them.
saw nothing more of the Copperhea'
gathering until | saw several reeliag home
too much intoxicated to sit with safety Of
their horses. There was not large gather
ering when 1 left, and if there were any tru
Democrats there should suppose they woul
be ashamed of their company. S. N. B.
Atalissa, Sept. 26th, 1868.