The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-09-06
A day in Eric--Thc ely
IN @ L M g g t ing--Tho

A day in Eric--Thc ely
IN q L M g g t ing--ThO
Presidents Party.
In company with a number of our
citizens, we made visit to Erie on the
Sd inst, to participate in the welcome
of the Presidential party at that place.
We went on the morning train, 20 which
a number Of extra cars were added
along the route, bat not sufficient to ac-
commodate the immense crowd, of
whom perhaps not one half could obtain
seats The Warren Accommodation
and a special train, as we'll as the after.
noon train on the same road, also the
different trains running into Erie from
other directions were said to be as
densel y crowded. The main streets of
the city seemed to be a mass of human
beings. The crowd, of course, was
largely owing to the Democratic Mass
Meeting held the same day. At about
moon, grand procession Of the Democ
racy paraded the streets. We did no,
count the vehicles, but were surprised
at SO imposing display, considering
the number who had come by rail. AL.
most every wagon contained the Stars
and Stripes mounted on a hickory pole.
The wagons, flags and banners were
tosteiully decorated with cvergreens and
flowers. a number of bands enlivened
the affair By their music. Mr.. Clymer
viewed the procession from the balcony
of Browns Hotel. He was the subject
OF enthusiastic cheers.
The Mass Meeting OF the Democracy
was held iii the park in front of Browns
Hotel. 1t O'Clock p. NJ, it was cal.
led to order by Wm. 4. Galbraith, Esq,
and officers chosen. Hon. Hieste.
Clymer, our candidate for Governor. de-
livercd an able address, and was follow,
cd by Dan. kice in pithy speech
The crowd, however, was too large to
hear with much satisfaction, and large
| portion Of the crowd, too far back to
hear themselves, increased the noise by
their talking and laughing. This meet,
! ing was 4 decided success. It's size. and
the enthusiasm demonstrated that Erie
county was not entirely given over to
hardness of heart and reprobacy Of
mind.
1t he'd been announced from the
! stand by Mr. Galbraith that the Presi
dental party would arrive between (
and l:20 p. NJ. Anticipating that it
would be difficult to secure a good posi-
'tion for seeing the notables, we made
our way to the depot at 3 p. VI. AL
ready crowd had gathered which was
rapidly increasing by a constant stream
from each of the two main streets lead
ing up from the centre of the city. a
stand had been erected in front of the
Union Depot. This was surmounted by
large banner upon which was the pic
ture of & dove with AN olive branch in
its beak, and the following inscriptions
" Welcome President" "The Union
1t must be preserved" "Oue country,
one Constitution, 0Ee destiny" "We'll
fight it cut on this line" Our party
formed hollow square, and ioolishly
thought thus 90 preserve elbow ROOM
we might as we'll have tried to dam the
Mississippi with bulrusheS AS to main
tain cur positions. We were pushed
and jammed and swayed about until
hardly two of us remained together.
At about 4:30 p. NJ, the Presiden-
tial party arrived by special train
Then the crowd pushed and jammed
worse than ever, all intent upon getting
a peep at Tic party so soon as they got
out OF the cars. A company of ma
rines and a company of regulars were
here of especial service in opening a
passage for the President aud his party
to the platform. From the momeut the
train came in sight until some time after
the appearance of the party on the
stand, the excitement aud demonstra-
tiOns of the people were at high tide.
When an approach to order had been
attained, Mayor Scott made the address
of welcome, after which he introduced
the party seVeally. The introduction
Of President Johnson, and after him in
succession of Gen. Grant, Admiral Far.
rasut, Secretaries Seward, Welles and
Randall, and Major, Generals Meade,
f Rousseau and Custer, were the signals
: of tremendous applause, After these
introductions, the President made an
5 oil hand speech to the people. We
were unable TO hear ais opening aud
, conclusion, hut heard the body Of his
sIcech quite distinctly. JIe r-s snN