Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-08-15
from The Journal of Commerce. j

(From The Journal of Commerce.l
The Mcclellan meeting Wednesday night
was one of the largest and most enthusias-
tic demonstrations ever seen in this city.
In the opinion of many experienced and
unprejudiced observers, it was the greatest
assemblage of citizens ever convened on
Union square. In many respects it strong
ly reminded one of the magnificent Union
meeting of 1861, held on the same ground.
The men gathered there were of class not
accustomed to attend political meetings.
Their conduct throughout was marked by
order, attentive bearing, and honest ire
pressible enthusiasm whenever the name of
Mcclellan was mentioned, and by sturdy
Kisses and groans whenever the odious men
and measures of the administration were
named. .. ...
The meeting commenced gathering at
p. NJ. an hour and halt before the ap-
pointed time. But it was not until Z. NJ,
when the merchants, and all the various in
dustrial classes, had got their days business
and their supper off their hands, that the
splendid success of the meeting became
fully assured. From that time until 7119
o'clock, crowds came pouring in from all
the streets and avenues to the center of at
traction. Professions of Mcclellan Clubs,
with bands, banners, and painted lanterns,
marched in from all parts of the city
Among those specially meriting notice,
were the Sth Ward Club, under the presi-
dency OF Mr.. Thomas White; and the 1lth
Ward Club, Mr.. f. j. Tucker, PRESIDENT
This association displayed huge banner,
inscribed, mo negro melodies should be
sung while white men are dying" This
palpable hit at Lincoln was greatly relished
by the crowd. Another banner gave the
folIoWinn notion. HTn all whom IL NAV
concern" "McClellan has engaged the
White House from the 4th of March," The
same club was attended by an omnibus,
drawn by six horses, and piece of artil-
lery captured in the Mexican war. The
18th Ward Club came out with full rugged
ship, of beautiful model, and charmingly
dressed with flags and streamers. Several
of the clubs turned out over 1,500 members.
The 18th Ward was represented by 5000
men. ... .... .... ..
At eight o'clock, until which hour the
opening of the meeting was postponed to
accommodate the thousands who were still
flOcking in, the scene was imposing in the
extreme. The crowd filled all the great
space in front of Union Square, on the west
as far as University Place, and some dis
tance down Fourteenth street; on the east
to the other side of Fourth avenue, and
down Broadway to Twelfth street. The
outside limit of the immense assemblage
was hundreds Of feet beyond ear-shot of
the speakers; but the thousands who were
thus cut off from the privilege of hearing
remained patiently in their tracks, content
to help along the grand object of the occa-
sion by their presence, and swell the gener-
al enthusiasm with their terrific cheers
The pressure of this vast seething mass of
humanity was tremendous; but those who
were jammed the hardest bore the infliction
good naturedly.
The procession of ward clubs through
the throng was unceasing. They filed past
the stands in a continuous stream, whose
passage was marked by myriads of painted
lanterns, and the crashing music of brass
bands. Nothing but determined front,
sharp elbows and relentless pushing, could
have cleared way for them. Every ward
in the city was represented. Four hundred
men came in on horseback. Three thou
sand 'longshoremen marched in the ranks.
Delegations, wearing badges, were present
from Philadelphia, Boston, Baltimore, Chi
cago, Cincinnati, Albany, Buffalo, and most
of the great and little cities of the adjacent
States.
,Phe tumult caused by the appearance of
this grand succession of clubs caused an
other delay in the opening ceremonies. The
committee were under the impression that
the people would stop coming sometime
But they did not, for an hour Afterwards
The deputations as they swept into the
crowd, attempted to make path to the
neighborhood of the stands. But this was
impossible, unless they had walked over
acres of heads. In despair of getting a
good chance to hearany of the set speakers,
they filed into the park and there improvis-
ed meetings. which were elOQuently ad-