The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1864-10-28
The Magnificent Torch
light Procession.
Nominations, Bonires, Fire
works and Boundless
Enthusiasm,
Ten Thousand People in Council

Ten Thousand People in Council
The great demonstration of the Democracy
of northern Minnesota last night in this city
was, beyond all comparison, the giandest
success of any public meeting ever held
in the State of Minnesota. At an early
House, and when the six hundred torches had
been distributed there yet remained hundreds
unsupplied who asked the privilege OF carrying
them. Before o'clock, on the arrival OF the
delegation from Rosemount, the procession
was formed and marched to the depot, to re-
ceiye the Mcclellan Clubs of st. Anthony and
MINNEAPOLIS. Upon their arrival and forming
into the line, at X o'clock, the procession be-
can its march as announced on Friday. In
moving up Jackson street, the front of the
torchlights had already passed two squares or
more beyond the International on Seventh
street, before the rear had passed the Mer-
chants on Third. There were one thousand
and over torches in the procession, the length
of which was increased by the presence of the
numerous visitors from Hennepin county who
had no torches to bear, and it also gained
large accessions along the route of persons
who joined it to..march to the meeting. Itwas
also attended by vast crowds upon the side
walks and in the street, continually being aug
mented by the waiting throngs On every
square.
TIE OLD CONSTITUTION.
Near the head of the procession, the delega-
ton from Rose town conducted q large sail
boat, neatly decorated with flags, notices and
lights containing a group of thirty-four young
girls, who joined in singing patriotic songs as
the procession moved through the streets, and
after it Joined the meeting on Bridge Square.
FIREWORKS.
The arrival of the train conveying our Hen
nepin county friends was announced by the
firing of rockets, and as the procession
marched through the streets, there was from
its ranks and from the residences of Demo.
Gratis. a continuous and dazzling blaze of Ben
gal lights, Roman candles, and wickets. At
Bridge square, the firing of rockets was con-
tinued, at intervals, until the close of the meet
ing. Some enthusiastic Democrats in the
blacksmith's anvil, and fired Herewith jolly
salute as the procession was passing them.
LAMENTATIONS.
All along the route of the procession, bust
ness as well as dwelling houses were brilliantly
Illuminated in honor of the occasion. These
Examinations were not confined to the palatial
buildings of the wealthy but blazed out from
the windows of the working mems houses as
well. One of the finest displays was made at
- nol
the house was illuminated, the spacious
grounds completely lit up. and representation
of a tent formed of national colors was given
over q transparency exhibiting McClellan's
words: 1.-THE Union must be preserved at all
hazards" Other fine displays were made ON
Fort street. We havnt room to mention even
ule names of the numerous citizens who thus
showed their sympathy with the old DemOc.
racy.
SCENE. AT THE BRIDGE SQUARE.
At an early hour, long before the procession
had returned from its march in upper town
the meeting was organized by the selection of
William Lee, Esq for Chairman, and an i'm
mense crowd was gathered to hear Judge Eos.
ter. of Wisconsin, and Dillon O'Brien, Esq. of
Minneapolis We will not try to guess the
number then present, but by comparison with
the great Republican rally on the same ground
recently, it showed that the Democracy out
IuIuUpT INC DldChS LWO ~ yOL1C lOCd Va
the immense number assembled may be had
from the fact that when the procession, now
numbering. with the crowds attending it, as
much as four thousand people, finally joined
the meeting. it seemed to add less thar fourth
to the numb who had been listening to Mr..
O'Erien. Upon the arrival of the procession,
the blaz: OF the thousand torches. with the
general illumination OF the square. was added TO
by the firing of rockets and the burning OF va
rious other kinds Of fireworks. while the great
crowd Joined in repeated G1l united cheers,
whose tremendous volume~rolled along the
crowded streets and was heard like the voice of
a great multitude in the far-off and half-de-
serted suburbs of the city.
THE SPEAKING.
The mass meeting last night was not all oc-
casion for long speeches. 1t was grand and
enthusiastic as;enlblage of the people, encour-
ovpd bv this demonstration of their strength to
still stronger hopes of their speedy triumph
over the corrapt and dangerous administration
nj Lincoln. They came together rot so much
for argument or eyhOrtatlon, as to see and con-
oratuiate each other on the overwhelming evi.
dences that, whatever may happen in the other
States. Minnesota will prove herself true to the
Union by Joining in helping electing to the
Presidency George B. Mcclellan and in inau.
gurating with him the old policy of cancellation
and compromise which made and preserved
the Union and can yet save 1t.
Immediately after the crowd had fully
assembled, it being found impossible for an,
speaker to make himself heard by the whole
people gathered, it was divided by anothe
speaker being posted towards the upper end o
the square, and each then had an immense au
dience, which at its stillest moments, required
the utmost exertion of the strongest lungs t.
let all hear what was said.
At the principal stand, the first speaker wa
Judge Foster of Wisconsin, who was brief bu
notwithstanding many strong points in few
words. Dillon O'Brien followed, even NOR
eloquent than usual, and woke the enthusiasm
of the crowd to responding to each rounde'
but impressive sentence with appreciative al
plause. Next followed Gen. German, concise
pointed, and heartily sympathizing with hi
audience in the good feeling of the occasion
After him, came Mr.. Gilman and others
whom the lateness of the hour prevented u
At the other stand Major Cullen, Col. Nc
b,es, Eugene NJ. Wilson, ESQ.,, and others
made good speeches, brief but effective, ant
IN Unison with the great rejoicing which on
democracy felt like making over this ggran,
domonstration Of the popular enthusiasm 70
Mcclellan and the Union.