The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1867-09-14


duction of whose notices must have
told fearfnlly npon the genius of patri.
otic and satirio composition, were
borne along in bounteous profusion.
Wreaths and boquets in generous
abundance showed that thoughtful
minds and fair hands had not failed to
provide fitting tribute for the expect
ed oratory, while music of all kinds,
from all voices and upon all instrn-
meAts, proved that Apollo had Joined
the Copperheads and had lent an im-
mense delegation of his pupils. includ-
ing the fiddler the bugler and
the singing-master to unite in
in welcoming the far-famed champions
of Democracy. A noteworthy feature
of the procession was the frequent ap-
pearance of the faded Federal uniform.
Here the wearers sat i'll groups and look
ed forth upon the scene with degree of
satisfaction that showed thsi Democra-
cy to be as intense as their patriotism.
There came few Sinewy forms,
on horseback, suggesting BY their trap
pings and decorations the old and ar
duous cavalry service they had seen.
Then, perhaps, would pass along "a vet
eran. hero, companionlesS but for his
driver, steadying his shattered form up
on the rough wagon by the grip of a
single hand--he had left the other with
the arm to which it hung, to moulder in
Southern dust.
Passing along, citizen and soldier, imam
and matron, and maid and child, the
dust covered multitude finished at last
their circuit of the streets, and halted at
TIE FAIR GROUNDS.
Here was presented a rare scene of busy
and tumultuous life. The central por-
tion of the square was closely and COM
pletely covered with dense masses Of
humanity; struggling, shouting, sing
ing; too much crowded to move with
comfort, too gay and demonstrative to
remain at ease, swarming like bees;
n restless,eve mevinglmultitude, almost
countless, and continually increasing.
The space between the track and
the fences was occupied with
wagons and carriages-a part of the
procession-and these in turn were
filled with expectant groups, patiently
awaiting the commencement of the
exercises. The greater portion of the
procession, however, had halted upon
the outside, and from it a ceaseless
stream of human beings passed through
the gates and gathered as near as pos
sible to the speakers stand. The stand
itself, thanks to the Woodsfeld ladies,
had been arranged and decorated with
the utmost care and most exquisite
taste The forward portion, set apart
for the speakers and the press, was u
perfect bower of wreaths, evergreens
and flowers. LII front stood an immense
hickory-an anmistakable Democratic
flag-staff-its green leaves suggesting
recent transplanting-wreathed and
decked with floral designs, which hap
PLY attested feminine industry, skill
and patriotism.
From the place assigned us by the
Marshal, we were favored with an ad-
mirable view of
THE ASSEMBLAGE,
and were enabled to form some idea
of its elements, its proportions, and It's
surroundings. The audience was COM
posed almost entirely of farmers, their
wives, sons and daughters, A more sub
stantial or intelligent looking gather
ing it has never been our privilege to
behold. Here and there in the vast con-
gregation might be recognized familiar
forms and faces of evident West Virgin
ia residents. for verify the region of
Wetzel and thercabouts had sent her
delegations to catch fresh inspiration
from the society and teachings of Buck-
eye Democrats. Republicans, too, were
present by the hundreds, and to their
credit be it spoken, a more attentive or
orderly class of their party never at
tended Democratic meeting. Their
presence, in such large numbers, and
the evident interest taken by them i'll
the proceedings, would suggest favor
able change in the description of their
party. which now, for the first time,
permits its members to attend Demo-
cratic meeting for purposes of instruc-
ton rather than to create disorder and
riot. Ladies, of course, were plenty and
pretty, as they always are in Demo
cratic regions, and, as usual, their bear
ing was such as to call up some practi-
cal reflections, especially with regard to
the proposed franchise extension,
The disfranchisement of beauty and i'll
nocence and intelligence, combined in
the persons and character of the white
women of the land, is an exceedingly
awkward fact to be encountered by
those who seek the cnfranchisement OF
black imbecility and brutality.
An accurate estimate of the assem-
blage would be very difficult to form
but the most experienced observers de-
clared the number present to be from
fifteen to twenty thousand persons
Certainly the lower estimate is a very
moderate one. The crowd wss so much
greater than that of st. Clairsville as to
admit of no comparison.
The tone and spirit of the people was
to a considerable extent manifested oy
the notices which appeared in promi'
nent positions on every part OF the
ground. They were exhibited by the