The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-09-25
The Mass Meeting,

could say:
This has been grand and glorious DAY,
and will long be remembered by the resi-
dents of this borough and the population
of Potter county. 1t had been announced
far and wide over the county that Colonel
John w. Forney would address the
people Of Potter, and the farore and
excitement were intense. As early as
yesterday the town began to fill up with
citizens from the more distant sections of
the county, who had taken time 10y the
foreIock, as it were, such was their deter
mination to be on hand at the great meet
ing. Teams were constantly arriving, the
sturdy farmers thoughtfuIIy bringing their
families wi b them, so earnest are they IN
the goQd cause. and SO anxious that every
member Of tie household should hear the
speakers-the wife that she might receive
new inspiration, and so be better fitted to
discuss the issues Of the day with her hus-
band, and the little ones, that into their
young minds might be instied the senti-
ments Of trne repubicanisn. Last evening
I it rained heavily, reducing the surface Of
. the roads TO a pasty condition and sadly
| impairng their fitness to bear the wear and
tear Of constant travel. Still the ardor Of
the people was not danpened, and they
continued to pour into the town. This
morning the skies were rather brighterand
there was a prosp ct Of having clear day
/ bat the hope was not destined to be fui-
filed, for about the middle Of the forenoon
/ it commenced to drizzIe, and shortly changed
into what appeared 10 be a settled rain
storm. Almost every minute the rain APP
peared to increase in violence The noun
tain tops appeared to collect the clouds,
already surchargcd with aqueous yapor, and
then poured their contents into the valley
below.
! Notwithstanding all these drawbacks,
which would have entirely put a stop to
anything Of the kind in tie city, the pro-
cession was formed. y long line Of yehi-
cles Of all descriptions, filled with men,
women, and children, was formed, and, un-
der the marshaIship of Colonel KiIborn, a
brave soldier Of the war for the Uuion, the
cavalcade was set in motion. A fine brass
band furnished the music for the occasion,
and acquitted Itself in the best manner.
It's performance would by no means have
cast discrcdit upon any city organization Of
like character, and although their rcper-
loire i..::ight not be as full as that of their
contreres Of more popujous neighborhoods,
-Iot .ba,y II ,,.,-. / -, ,,.yll
The Courthouse, as is generally the case
with these interior towns, was selected as
the place Of meeting. 1t had been the
original intention Of the committee to hold
the meeting on the open space in front Of
the building, but the storm precIuded such
arrangements, and the gathering was held
in the interior. The hour for commencing
I the exercises Of the day was fixed at two
o'cI, ok, but as early as noon the crowd be-
gan to pour into the building, and in a very
short time every available seat was occupied
while many were forced to stand. UuIike
I the noisy crowds Of great cities, the assem-
bage was orderly and quiet. While wait
ing for the speakers, the men formed little
knots, and discussed the issues of the day,
while the female portion Of the audience
chatted with each other on the hundred
topics which women only can discuss.
Toward o'clock the rain abatel in vio-
lcnce. and the bell WAS runc to call in such
as were outside and to ro.ify them that
speaking was about to begin. They immc-
diateIy acted upon the invitation, and in a
few minutes the large hall was filed to
OVERLOOKING, every foot Of room being occu-
pied, while others stood in the passages or
looked in at the windows, eager 10 see and
hear what was going on.
The appearance Of the orators Of the day
on the stand was the signal for prolonged
burst of applause. There were Col John
W. Forney; Hon. Galusha A. Grow, for
merly Speaker Of the House of Represen-
taliyes; Col Carleton B. Curtis,of Warren,
a prominent member of the bar and eX,
member of Congress, and his Honor, Judge
Williams
The meeting was called to order by
Judge Williams, who Al nounced that the
services would he opened with prayer by
the Rev. Mr.. Stevens. That gentleman
thereupon came forward and addressed the
Throne of Grace in an earnest and impres-
siye manner, asking the divine blessings
upon the object of the meeting and be-
seeching the Almighty not to let the wal
for human freedom to have been fought in
vain.
The reverend gentlemen retired and Co
: Forney, Mr.. Grow, and Col. Curtis, sever
, |aly addressed the enthusiastic crowd.
In the evening addresses were again de
livered by Messrs. Forney, Grow, Quits
aud Judge Williams.
E I'VE will publish the speeches Of Messrs
, Grow and Fomcy in our nexO