Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1864-10-28
GRAND UNION RALLYI
Brainard's Hall Crowded
with Loyal Men.
Stirring Speeches OF Col. Z. F.
NOyes and ]. II. Rhodes, Esq.
THE BALL STILL ROLLING

Hall was one of the finest and most encour-
aging of the campaign. Though called at
such short notice, and with SO little
time for preparation, it was a
most gratifying success. Brainard's
Hall was filed to its utmost capacity by an
earnest, enthusiastic, patriotic crowd of
Union men and women, keenly aliqe and
eagerly responsive to the loyal sentiments
Of the speakers. Rarely have we seen a
gathering so surcharged with electric en-
thusiasm, bursting forth at each patriotic
declaration, as was this.
James Mason, Esq, acted as President
ofthe meeting, and introduced Col. Edward
F. Noyes, of the seth Ohio, with
few appropriate remarks, allu-
ding elOquently TO the fact that
the gallant Colonel had lost leg in fight
ing tor the defense of the country.
Colonel Noyes was received with loud sp
plause as he rose, leaning upon his crutehes,
and advanced to the table at the front Of
the platform, whore he supported himself
by chair during his speech. Though
still weak from the effect of his wound,
Colonel Noyes spoke with great eloquence
and power for more than an hour, con-
tinually interrupted by irrepressible bursts
of applause. Colonel Noyes is speaker of
most unusual grace, culture and eloquence,
combined with remarkable fire and vigor,
in both matter and manner. His speech
excited the greatest enthusiasm, and ad-
miring comments upon it were more un-
qualified and thorough-going than on any
speech yet delivered in this city during the
campaign. Some few Copperheads, who
had come in to hear soldier on the issues
of the day, found his eloquence too power
full, his denunoiations too terrible, to with
stand, and prudently withdrew. The Colonel
commenced by an allusion to the senti-
ments of the soldiers-snd an eloquent vim
dicatiOn of their right to hold and express
political opinions. He touched upon
the origin of the war, distinctly proving
by historical citations that the war waa
commenced long before Lincoln took his
seat. 1t was one of the rich legacies be-
questhed to Abraham Lincoln by that in
famous old Copperhesd, James Buchanan.
The speaker proceeded in eloquent terms
to picture the desolation which the mad
ness ofthe South had brought upon their own
heads. He showed that Lincoln was elect
ed, pledged against any infringement on
the rights of the South, and that the rebel
lion was instigated not because of any
II ion Of 1,kb h.,
would not accede to unjust and outrageous
demands The Democracy had resisted
these demands, and Senator Pugh had told
the Southern chivalry in the Charleston
Convention that they would not put their
hands on their mouths, and their mouths
in the dust, before them. But Pugh's
mouth had got dreadfully dirty since then.
The speaker then proceeded to answer in
detail the charges against President Lin
coin, which ne classified under the three
leads of arbitrary arrests, the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation, and iincspacity, result
ing in the failure of the war. These he an
swered with great force and power, exciting
the widest enthusiasm and eliciting thun-
ders of applause. He closed with amagnif-
iceut peroration, which fairly brought
down the house.
J. H. Rhodes, Esq, was next introduced,
and spoke with his usual vigor and eloquence
for half an hour. making several capital
points, and receiving much hearty ap-
plause. He traced the parallel between the
Democracy in arms in the South, and the
doctrines of Northern Democracy, proving
that their views in all essential points are
identical, the only difference being that
the Democratic doctrines IL the South
are organized into armed rebellion, while
Democracy North is, as yet, unsrmed and
held in theory.
The first speaker having exposed the
Chicago Platform, Mr.. Rhodes reviewed the
leading features of the Baltimore Platform,
contrasting them with those of the former.
He then briefly indicated some of the
fruits already gained by the war, and some
of the lessons we have learned-thereby
vindieating the justice and success of the
war, and affording strong hope for the fu-
ture. He closed with powerful appeal to
the audience to rally in their might on the
9Th of November, which was most heartily
responded to by the audience.
The meeting was a glorious one. Its in
huence will be felt at the polls next cleo
tion-day, in the increase Of the Union ma
jority in this city from eight to fifteen hun
dred.