The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1863-04-08

disturbance. 81 see,' said Miss Dickinson,
calmly, that there are those here who evidently
love darkness better than light because their
deeds are evil"
The light had been turned of, by the copper
heads, at the gas works, and it was at once
discovered by the workmen and turned on, so
that in two or three minutes, tapers being ap-
piled to the burners, the hall was illuminated.
As II was being lighted, the speaker, who was
entirely undisturbed, said: Il read my Bible
read of the Prince Of Darkness, and judging
from the present display, some Of his children
are present! Laughter and great applause J
read natural history, too. readofa creature
that loves caves and dens and holes in the EARTH
dank and dark places,-and suppose from the
last fact that some of them are in this hail.
copperheads, believe they are called" (Cries
of"good" and tremendous cheering.)
As the orator proceeded, cries of "fire, fire."
were heard In the street, fire engine ratified
down the pavement and stopped near the hail.
lCries in the house of"A copperhead tricky
A secesh woman in the hall screamed sire"
at the top of her voice. The house refused
to be disturbed by the dastardly artiice, but
there was for time some sensation. as the
fremen were called for and ii was said barn
had been set on fire in another part of the
city, but the trick was too transparent, and the
speaker proceeded calmly as before.
She had hardly comenceed when the cry of
fire was repeated in the street and the passa-
ges of the hall and the bell near began to ring
violently, so that IL was difficult for the speak
er to be heard. On the platform behind Miss
Dickinson sat Mr.. Jenckes of Rhode Island,
the republican member of congress who had
been elected on Wednesday by an overwhelm-
ing majority. As the annoying bell continued
TO ring, the speaker turned and said al have
been wondering why that bell was ringing l
suddenly bethink me. They are rejoicing
over the glorious victory in our sister state of
Rhode Island, and showing due respect to the
man, elected by over 2000 majority, who hon
ors us by his presence tonight" THE audi
ence, electrified, rose to its feet, and cheerei
again and again for Rhode Island.l
And the speaker went on unmoved the bell
not choosing to ring any more for Rhode Island
But not many minutes had-elapsed. when the
cry of fire was again heard at the door. The
speaker paused, as il angry at this silly repe-
tition OF rowdyism, and with face pale and
eyes flashing. stepped forward, and leann z to-
wards the audience, cried:
"Yes, there is a fire,-by Gods grace we
have kindled a fire, which these people by
their acts are assisting, that will never 90 out,
till naught is LEFT Of the principles they pro-
fess, or of their party,-saye ashes.'
That was enough. The copperheads skunk
down abashed. the house cheered till the roof
rang ,ain, and without further interruption
Miss Dickinson went on with her magnificent
speech.
The whole affair has wonderfully strength
ened the Union cause in Middletown. The
more respectable of the opposition party de-
clare they will have nothing to do with par
ty which so outrages decency and seeks to car
ry It's ends by violence.-I Hartford Press, 4th.