The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1864-11-05
The Great Gnien Mass Meeting.


| through the county to assemble and appro-
priately celebrate the adoption of the new
Constitution, and prepare for the 6nal
struggle on the 9Th o.. November. and that
call was answe ed by thousands. They
came forth in their conscious strength, and
pride, and enthusiasm to do honor to, and
appropriately celebrate the States new birth
and baptism in freedom.
At eleven O clock the delegations began
TO arrive. and could be seen from the town
approaching from all directions. with ban
ners and flags cleaning and bands of music
playing The Baltimore train brought up
the Fort McHeury band, and about II
O'Clock the procession formed on Main
street, with the Band and those on foot in
front, followed by the mounted men, the
Elkton lnvincible Club in advance, wear
ing their capes, caps and badges A long
procession of horsemen from the country,
mounted on fine animals, many of them
handsomely dressed with flags, resets, and
wreathes. The horscmen were followed by
the wagons and carriages, bearing banners
with various devices, and garlands of flow.
ers. The fair from the rural districts con-
tributed by their presence largely to enlivcn
and grace the procession. A delegation of
thirty-six ladies each carrying in her hand
small flag with the name of the State she
represented inscribed upon it, were driven
in the procession, and large, decorated
wagon, drawn by four horses, contained as
many little girls each with little ftag in
her hand, and dressed in party -colored hats,
was also in the procession. These little
creatures made the welkin vocal with orally
Round the Flag as they passed along
One OF the most attractive features of the
procession was boat, vessel rugged and
manned by boys dressed in white.
Our brief space will not permit us to more
than glance at some of principal features Of
the procession, which was more than four
miles in length, and was an hour and quar-.
ter passing given point. The principal
streets of the town were Jammed full of peo-
pie, and the general complaint was that the
procession was too large to mannuvre in
the town.
|
and the meeting organized in Mitchell and
Stump's lot, east of the town, where a stand
had been erected and beautifully decorated
with wreathes and flags.
Jas. T. Mccullough, Esq, was called to
preside, and three Vice Presidents from
each District were chosen.
The Hon. Thomas Swami, mon Candi-
date for Governor, was first introduced. and
made lengthy speech. Being appointed
on a Business Committee, we were compell-
ed to forego the pleasure of hearing the able
speech of our distinguished Gubcrnatorial
candidate. The forthcoming Governor hay
ing concluded, Judge Kelly, from Phladel-
phia, was called for and responded in one Of
those characteristic speeches, mainly direct
cd to his Democratic friends, which tell with
such marked effect, upon that dcludcd class
who are prone to be led by those dccoys of
ruin. the leaders of the selfstyled Demo
cratic party. Col. r. Stockctt Matthews, of
Baltimore, followed Judge Kelley, in ono of
| his most stirring speeches, in which he took
occasion to tell the men of Cecil the igno-
miny and disgrace they had suffered their
country to fall into by their GOODNESS and
neglect at the Constitutional clecton-a dis
grace they swore to wipe out on Tuesday.
next. The Colonel closed the meeting in
one of his happicst efforts. elciting cheer
after cheer from the vast audience, and rous-
ing the people to the highest pitch Of enthu
siasm. The next and equally as attractive
feature Of the grand demonstration was now
TO take place.
A torch-light procession and the illumina
| ton of the town was arranged, and a dele
CATION of Philadelphia lnvincibles arrived
at llaIfpast seven, in the cars. to take part
in this procession. Forming in line on the
depot lot, with three bands of music. the
procession passed through the principal
| streets of the town. which, by this time,
were in a blaze Of light streaming from every
Union house. lighted up to confer eclat and
and honor to the occasion, while the secesh
domicilcs reposcd in darkness and melon
cholly silence, closed as though the angel Of
Death had been visiting them. The torch
light procession over our Philadelphia visi-
tors were invited into the Court House where
a cold collation. was served up to them, wash
ed down with cup of hot coffee. The Court
House was in blaze of light from base
ment to cupola, and presented grand and
beautiful appearance. After supper the bell
was rung and DR.. c. c. Cox, our candidate
for Lieut. Governor, delivered speech from
the Court House steps. The Doctor is fine
speaker, and his speech was received with
much favor by the large throng assembled
in the streets and Court House yard. Dr. |
Cox was followed by Hon. +. H. Webster,
of Hartford county, who entertained the au
dience till late hour in the evening.
The meeting was acknowledged by all to
have been the largest and grandest dis
play of the kind ever held on the Eastern
Shore of Maryland. AT least six thousand
people were estimated to have been on the
ground, and what makes it the more note
worthy, is that they were. with the exception
of, perhaps fifty persons, all the sons and
daughters of old Cecil.
We expected every Union heart to respond
to the call, and the response was noble, in.
deed.