Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1864-10-11
The Republican Mecsing last
Evcmimg.

HvCmAmks
Although ample notice Of the gathering
Of the loyal had been given, and al
though the weather yesterday was as pleas
ant as could be desired, yet LeClaire Hall
would easily have held twice as many peo-
pie as gathered there last evening. 1t has
stormed every time the Democrats have
had meeting here during this campaign,
yet cyansunder such adverse circumstances
they have never had so complete fizzle as
the meeting Of last evening.
d. @. Cloud, of Muscatine, and S. s.
Burdett Of Dewitt, relieved themselves Of
: earnestly kyal" speeches. Both are
lawyers. The forlacr opened He boldly
took the ground that in time Of war the
President is untrammcled by constitutional
oblfgations-s that his will alone is law.
lie tried TO sustain his position by misrep-
resentations of decisions Of the Supreme
Court, and by the owe, whelming argument
- think so.' When he advanced some
sentiment that bore particularly hard upon
the most sacred rights OF the people, as
guaranteed 10y the Constitution, he was ap-
plaudcl by the little army Of office holders
and office seekers who comprised the great
cr part OF the audience, but the rest Of his
speech fell cold and feless. Mr. Cloud is
man of whom we know little, vet we
think it not unjust TO say that in point Of
legal ability he does not rate any hghc'
than Abraham Lincoln
Mr.. Burdet; s defamation i very fine
indeed we have seldom heard any one who
surpasscs him in delivery Although a
young man he is infinitely superior to Cloud.
Yet with all his ability lie could not say
anything sonnl in favor Of Lincoln. He
abused ienocsas, gave fancy sketch Of a
s uthern woman carrying a Union soldier :
skull. duly labelled, an INDUCED in ialla
cious argument and "glitterins general
| ties"
He accused Democrats OF not condemn
ing jeff. Davis. and in his eagerness to
make big point thereon lie himself forgot
to say anything against Lincoln co u>uip
| cr. Anything he could have said against
jeff Davis would hit Lincoln equally hard
(the two beng on a par, so he preserved a
discreet silence on the subject.
One thing forced Itself upon the attention
of those present-if a man OF Eurdett $
| ability could say no more in favor Of the
administration, ingenious as he is, how
| black must be the record. Republicans
! we're ,utertaincd. Democrats amused and
that's all tic meeting accomplished.
The principl point that Mr. Rurdatt .
| tempted in his speech at lie Claire Hall Ia I
evening, was that ther are many who hal
| rom the Emerald Isle fani he mi Int have
added other larger isles-esen our own
| country-and possibly limseN,l who can
not write their name. an yet it IS true tha,
| ius such men as he are eudeavoriug to Sc
| curc, the votes OF these inen. True it i
| there are many who can neither read or
| write who are truer to their conn ~ and her
| interests, than many learned gentlemen who
an do BOTH Betterwere it for the nation
| f such men codld not Use the pen. bil
| we're also deprived OF the use of their
tongues. One truth lie did utter. in saying
| that "ti.is psrty (thc no wire parry were
lonest in their bel ef,' which IS more than
| an be said vf the speaker himself.