The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-09-13
TnR oRnAT coNYrNrIoN.

almost unequaled for numbers and en-
thusiasm. The latter, among the
Southern men, especially, amounts tc
perfect wildness. We give below des
criptions, and items of interest, as We
find thom in the papers. One writer
says:
The universal expression has been
there were never SO many people al
any political gathering before. There
are old politicians from all sections
present, and none have ever witnessed
a crowd equal TO this. The grand ar
mics of the Republic scarcely ever
were SO massed as to place so many
men upon the same area of ground
AT .herman's great review in Wash
ington there were moro men, but they
were spread over much larger area.
There were six stands and five solid
blocks of people on Broad street,
which is 120 feet wide, and it was
packed from wall to wall. Generals
accustomed to estimate troops, placed
the number at about 10000. Besides
these the streets leading into this
crowd were filled for half block
back on each side of it. The respec-
liability of Philadelphia was all there.
Not the slightest rudeness was appar-
ent, and there was no disturbance what.
ever.
THE LEAGUE HOUSE AND THE SPEAKING
STANDS.
The League House, which was a
blaze Of lights, was tho centre, and
three stands were placed at intervals
of nearly block on cash side. These
stands were very profuseIy decorated
with flags and flowers, and each was
provided with its band Broad street
was packed full long before the dele
gates or the various professions ar
rived. The whole line was kept so
light that men c"uld read by the con-
slant burning of many colored lights
and the firing of rockets and Roman
candles.
THE MARCH OF THE PROC EssIoN.
The united delegations met at Ma
tional Hall, and, marching together,
arrived upon the ground at s o'clock
They were received by the President
of the League.
THE SPEECHES.
Then followed such speeches from
the various stands MS the sceno IN
spired in the hearts of some of the
country's best orators, and they arc
here by the score.
A BRILLIANT SCENE.
This was soon interrupted by dis
play that, for brillancy, ordcr and en-
thusiasm, could not possibly be ex-
coeded. Those standing on tho up
per porches of the League House
could sec showers of colored lights
moving toward them on nearly all The
streets, and soon tho heads of the va
rious columns appeared, bright with
torches, gay with banners, some sing
ing, and the bands and others playing
the national airs. They marched in
succession through the whole longth
Of the vast crowds, looking like lava
streams steadily flowing. Thcir trans
parencics wero u dictionary. of quota
tions from Andrew Johnson as he was,
and collection that he would find
most perplcxing. The "Boys in Blue"
were out by thousands, we'll drilled
veterans every one, all having served
in the army. The Republican irwin
cibles have full rcgimental organiza-
tion, and this still is complete.
There were delegations with trans
parencies from all the towns in the vi.
cnity, AS each procession reached
Broad street, it at onco blazed and
sparkled with light. Besides their
torches, lanterns and transparcncies,
every man was provided with colored
lights and Roman candles, and while
the whole area for five blocks was
sending up fire like volcano in an
eruption, the whole throng was cheer.
ing, all tho bands were playing, and
some organizations, thousand strong,
were singing and making themselves
heard above all the tumult. At ono
time AT least ten thousand people join.
cd in singing "Rally round the flag"
For two hours these columns, flow.
ing with many coIored fires, roaring
with applause, or breaking forth into
song, were moving on. Speaking was
impossible, and yet at intervals tho
prominent men who arc here-and
the country knows thom now-cume
forward, bowed their acknowledge.
ments, and retired, 1t was not till
nearly midnight that tho crowd began
to disperse, and then the various clubs,
headed with bands and followed by
immense crowds, starred for the hotel
to 0erenado all the delegates. These
are but tho faint outlines OF an event
that will live in tho history of Phila.
delphia, and until some larger gather.
ing meets, it will be referred to every
where as the largest body that ever
stood upon tho continent at q political
assembly. 1t is impossible at tho late
hour Of tho close to give moro than
the salient paints Of the scene, and
the reader must fill up tho picture.
HOW MANY WERE PRESENT.
In answer to question of Judge
Kelly as to how many pooplc were
present at the mass meeting tonight,
Hon. James Speed replied "Count the
sand by tho sea shore, the leaves in
the forest, or the times Andrew John
son has said II" since leaving Wash.
ington, and you are answered"
"FolIOwing In the steps," SO.