The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1864-10-05
SENATOR ORAP0 IN LANSING !
Large and Enthusiastic
Meeting.

1
On Friday evening Mr.. Grape, Republic
can candidate for Governor, addressed his
fellow citizens in the Hall of Representa-
lives on the political issues Of the day. The
Hall was packed more closely than at any
/ time since the Legislative session, and after
all the seats had been appropriated, many
persons remained standing.
Mr.. Grape spoke of the position Of the
friends of the Union at the present time, as
not being strictly party, only so far as or
eaniZation was necessary TO success. Al
I loyal men can act with Us. He then anal
wed our opponents. showing that they con-
sisted Of that portion Of the Democratic
party which had engaged in open rebellion,
and another portion of that party which
svmpathized with the rebellion in their
hearts. and were disposed to do what they
could 10 aid its success in all ways short of
taking up arms; while third portion OF
the Democratic party had proved itself to
be thoroughly loyal and patriotic.
The speaker next answered the inquiry,
.'who begun this war;" He proved that
at the time Lincoln took the oath Of office,
eleven States were in 4 condition Of org an
lied rebellion, and three more States were
preparing to join them, and every one Of
these was Democratic State There was,
therefore nothing unfair in speaking OF it
as a Democratic rebellion. At that time,
under the imbecile Democratic administra-
ton Of Buchanan, the cOnspiratOrs had car
ried South a large part OF the national arms,
having taken lis, 900 stand from the armory
OF Springfield alone: almost every vessel in
the Navy had been sent abroad, or placed
sOLas not to be Immediately available: the
Treasury had been plundered, and some OF
its assets had been pledged for very high
rates Of interest, while $25, 900, 600 were
due 10 the public creditors, and there was
not a dollar with which to pay them: the
Democratic rebel States had at that time
an army Of 60, 600 drilled troops, and 700,
900 stand OF arms, and 80 900 of their
troops were within days march Of Wash
ingtOn, and they had already taken all the
fortified places Of the United States on the
Southern coast except four, making more
than twenty-five distinct acts Of war against
the National government. Yet in the face
Of all these well-knOwn, undisputed facts,
the Northern allies Of these Democratic
Southern rebels had the audaciOus efiront-
cry to declare that Republicans begun the
,rdri
70 oppose the rebellion, the President
had a force Of 625 men, and he called for
10, 900 more for three months. Much had
been said about the weakness and want OF
foresight manifested in the call for so few
soldiers for so short time; and the speaker
said We should be obliged to own that not
only the President, but the loyal millions
Of the country did not comprehend the ex-
tent and wickedness Of this rebellion, in
which so large portion of the Democratic
party appeared as armed traitors against
the Government, while another portion did
what they could for the encouragement OF
the traitors, and for restraining and Grip
ping the efforts of the Government to bring
them to justice.
Mr.. Grape quoted from the recent work
published in Chicago by Professor Agnew,
a well known Democrat Of the Wood and
Vallandigham school, in which the PROBES
sor discusses Democracy on philosophical
principles, and concludes that 1" a more per
feet arstocracy'' is needed: that men
'cOuld never endure a simple democracy
that high grade of aristOcracy" should
govern a nation, and that we need to cult
tivate an aristOcracy Of mind and blood,
sc. Mr.. Grape showed that these views
were exactly identical with those OF Cal
hOun, and of the shareholders generally,
and that they were favored and approved
by the leaders of their COpperhead breth-
rem of the North; and he expressed the
opinion that they were so directly antagO-
nistic to the simple democratic doctrine Of
them would never cease until one principle
had conquered the other.
He also discussed the Peace question, and
other topics with much ability, and con
Guided with an earnest appeal for effort on
the part of all Union men, not only to elect
their candidates, but TO roll up majOrities
which should carry with them a moral
power sufficient TO sink the rebellion, and its
cause, and its northern allies and support
ers, beyond all hopes OF any resurrection.
Mr.. Grape spoke more than two hours tC
a deeply interested and applauding audi
ence. He is of good size and height, o
dignifed appearance, and Of a nervOus-bil
iOus temperament-a combination usually
connected with much mental application
strong feelings, earnestness of purpose anC
great hang -on-ativeness in business. W,
noticed his characteristics more closely, be
cause We had observed the attempt made
Immediately af II his nomination to run
him down e. 4 mere hdtchet-tdcea money
making : sj,kee," with merely that amount
and Md of ability which would be adapted
to 1--we good trades in buying logs for hi;
Nv mills, or be very sharp in measuring
out a load of lumber to some poor teamster
, But all impressions of this kind vanish a
once upon hearing him speak for a few min
+ utes. He speaks rather slowly, loud, dis
tinct, emphatic, earnestly, candidly, with
out any slang expressions, with no attempt
at witticisms, and with an appearance o
elevated sentiments. He excels in making
statements, and instead of arguing from
single points, puts his facts into groups anC
masses, and then hurls them upon his an
tagonist with force and effect. He is no
content with fighting as a sharpshooter
but organizes whole batteries, and charge!
the enemy all along the line. His sober
serious, and yet earnest style of argument
, reminded US of the speeches of the late Gov
Bingham; and it may be truly said of Mr.
Grape as was said of Bingham, that what
ever opinion his hearers might have OF hi
Oratory, they were sure to go away with
favorable impression of his qualities as :
man. But Mr. CrapO as a public sneaker