Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-09-07
THE GREAT SOUTHERN LOYAL
nnrUEMnrnE


The procession was one Of the most beautiful
pageants ever witnessed in that city, and the
demonstration almost supernal in its enthu-
siasm. The streets were thronged with peo-
pie and the private dwellings and places Of
business absolutely embowcred in tri-eolored
bunting. The national flag lOated every
where 1t iloated from the mast heads OF
all the shipping, waved over oil the public
buildings and engine houses, and Haunted
its beautiful hues at every turn OF one S
steps. All along the route of the procession
the ladies testified their devotion 10 the
glorious cause Of their country, and loyal
men cheered the noble patriots on in their
great and glorious mission.
After the procession had passed over the
route the various delegations assembled at
the main entrance to Independence Square,
where they were received by a committee Of
the Union League. under the direction Of
Ex-Sheritf Kern. To each delegation had
been distributed badges of silk, In different
colors, bearing the names of their respective
States. The Tennessee delegation, with
Governor Brownlow at their head, entered
Independence Hall, each gentleman deco
rously uncoyering as lie crossed its thres-
hold They spent a few minutes IN q survey
of the objects Of almost sacred interest in
that department, when
At the request of Governor I3rownlow,
Speaker Frerson, of the Tennessee Senate
who Is an elder in the Presbyterian Church,
delivered d short and impressive PRAYER, in
yoking the blessing Of the Almighty upon
everything that should take place during the
stiings Of the Convention for the further
ance ct good government and the mainte-
nance of righteous law
Amer the prayer Governor BrOwnlow in
troduced Secretary Harlan.
In response, tlis gentleman briefly said
This honor is agreeable as it is totally uneX.
pected to mo 1t affords me sincere pleasure
TO meet the delegates from tennessee on this
occasion Iowa is also here To pledge her
self to stand 10y the loyal men OF Tennessee
in the great issues upon which both shall he
he called to decide | am Obliged TO YOU Tor
your kindness to me.
Thret cheers were then given ior Secre.
tary Harlan and the Iowa delegation
At the Union League House the reception
took place
Al the League House the members Of the
Convention were welcomed by Hon Charles
Gibbons, in speech replete with patriotic
sentiments and expressions Of the most de
voted attachment TO the cause of Union and
Liberty Mr.. Gibbons remarks were re-
spOnded 10 by eX-Goy Hamilton. of Texas.
His speech breathed the pure spirit which
anmates the bosoms OF the loyal men OF the
South lie was frequently interrupted by
loud applause
After the conclusion Of Gov Hamilton
speech some person in the crowd called tpr
three groans for "the dead dog Of the White
House, which was followed BY pretty cen-
eral booing and exclamations of derision.
lhree cheers were given Tor Parson Brown
low ana for Gov Hamilton
Char.es Gibbons, Chairman Of the Recep.
lion Committee, then came forward with a
small gavel in his hand, and said, II hold in
my hand the identical gayel used in Charles.
ton, South Carolina, when the convention
assembled there, in 1860, for the dissolution
OF the American Union Derisiye laughter
and shouts OF Throw ii away" This is
the gaycl that called together that Conyen.
tiun which declared the American Union
dissolved tCres Of Break it up: throw it
down here, ~ &c Sir, turning 10 GOV.
Hamilton, / have the pleasure of rendering
II to you for the purpose of calling together
that loyal convention which is TO lay the
| foundations for the re-cstablishmcnt of that
nion.
Gov. Hamilton accepted the inauspicious
gift, and then the presentation ceremonies
were declared ended. The procession, after
much confusion, was romarshalled and took
~ its line of march with music playing.
banners waving, and the bells Of the fire
engines ringing, to National Hall, Market
| street, where the sessions of the Convention
are 10 be held
At the rear of the stage was the motto.
"Libcrty, Equality and Fraternity
On the front, below the Presidents desk,
stretching across the whole front of the plat.
form, were the words
"lho Union: 1t Must and Shall be Pre-.
served. jackson.
All around the interior, depending from
the cornice, draping the walls and festooning
the ceiling, was the national tricolor in all
the splendor of its hues. Than this nothing
could have been more tasteful The very
sight of 1t was soul inspiring. The only
drawback to the occasion was that the crowd.
ing was excessive. A hall of five times the
capacity would have been none too large to
accommodate the multitude who desired 10
he present on so important an occasion
The sight was n beautiful one The Hall
was bower of tri-color, with patriotic in.
scrptions covering the walls Among them
were these;
81 tremble for the country when reflect
that God is just n-Jeiierson
There can he no neulrals; only patriots
or traitors. IS. A. Douglas.
Treason must be made odious and trai.
tors punished. Their great plantations must
be seized and divided into small farms for
honest and industrious men. - Andrew
johnson.
"Thc Union: 1t Must and Shall be Pre-.
served, jackson.
On the front of the Speakers stand were
the words:
Welcome, patriots of the SOUTH
le bore, as freedoms hope forlorn,
The private hate, the rebel scorn;
Yet held, through all the paths he trod,
Your faith in man and trust in God"
Charles Gibbons, Esq, said: II have the
honor of rendering TO you the use OF this
Hall Tor the deliberations of your Conyen-
ton. May God help and strengthen you.
Colonel Stokes, of Tennessee, then read
the call for the Convention, and said that
there are to-day but two parties in the ma
tion, and the question to-day is whether the
men who preserved the flag or those who
fought to destroy it, shall govern this
nation know that you are all patriots and
that you will stand by the old flag. TCheers.
We are to day representing the loyalty of the
South, and we meet today to maintain and
perpetuate our government and the freedom
of our flag.
As desire 10 see the business of this Con.
vention progress, have nothing moro To ada
than to express the hope that the proceedings
will be harmonious.
DR.. Sidney, of Mississippi, then said: As
incident TO a permanent organization it was
necessary to select temporary Chairman,
for that purpose there is but one single pro
viso, that is, the person so chosen must be a
man of unquestionable loyalty, and he nomi-
mated Thomas J. DuTant, of Louisiana
Mr. Durant was unanimously elected.
Mr. Durant, upon taking the Chair said.
In this exalted and unmerted compliment,
loyal men Of the South, thank you with
sentiments of the deepest gratitude. 1t will
occupy in my memory a spot that shall be
ineffaceable. 1t is unnecessary for me to
say more than TO announce the meeting as
! readY for hnsiness