The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-10-05

sEGkEfAEtES.
Peter Bogue, Rock Island.
Charles W. Fogg, Port Byron.
Richard Bastersby, Coal Valley.
David f. Shires, Black Hawk.

Mr.. Osborn opened the meeting as fol.
lows
LADIES AND FELLOW CfuzESs We
meet to hear the issues ofthis political cam
paign discussed by Mr.. o Brien, the demo-
cratic candidate for congress from the state
at large IN common with all good citizens
you feel al interest in this discussion aud
have eyinced it by your presence. The in.
terest Of the whole people Is shown by this
immense outpouring aud the beautiful pro.
session which escorted the orator Of the day
to the stand.
see around me democrats from all parts
OF the county. Men who have come be.
cause they feel an interest in the success Of
democratic principles, because thew love our
common country and desire to see the princ.
Piles, which they believe will perpetuate It's
prosperity, succeed in the coming election.
i see republicans, some, / fear, who do not
come with believing hearts or with under
standing minds, but from curiosity, to hear
a distinguished orator. Their very presence
is encouraging, for it may be that some
truth may strike home to their hearts and
lead them to see the error Of their ways
see around me American citizens from
every cline and country. Especially do /
recognize those from the Green Isle Of the
Ocean, from the land where. in the name Of
constitutional liberty, the English govern
ment has for years, ! might say for ages
past, oppressed its native born, law.abidiug
citizens until it has driven them to seek in
this country the freedom they are deued at
home. | honor these men for their persist
ent pursuit aud sterling love Of liberty, and
well may they come to-day to hear their
countryman, who wears the cloak Of elo
quence which covered an O'Connell, eK.
pound those principles of constitutional lib
erty tor which an Emmett died.
You republicans must expect to hear
plain truths uttered in forcible language
You democrats may expect to hear your
cherished principles eloquently explained !;
and you lrshmen have the right to feel a
pride in your countryman, ana to shout
yourselves hoarse in honor Of William W..
0'Brien.
have the honor of introducing the speak
or Of the day.
When Mr.. O'Brlen appeared at the front
of the platform there went up, spontaneous
ly aud without any sort Of prompting, one
immense roar of applause from the great
multitude Of people, taken up aud re-echoed
by those at distance around the square for
some seconds. After this applause lulled
Mr.. o Brien noticed that not a twentieth
part of the vast audience could be seated
and he requested that as many Of them as
possible be provided with seats, aud that, if
the people expected to hear what he would
say, they should keep as quiet as possible.
He then briefly noticed the three column ar
ticle in the Rim Union, Of that mornin z,
copied from the Peoria Transcript, in rela.
ton to himself, showing that nine-tenths Of
it was downright out .and.out fillsehOod
without the least particle Of truth while the
balance was fragrant Misrepresentation
and perversiOn of facts. Having disposed of
this and some other trifliugpersonal matters,
be commenced the discussion ofthe issues now
before the people for decision in the coming
election, chief among which he believed to be
the unconstitutional reconstruction measures
Of the radical leaders in congress; he be-.
leved these unlawful acts to bs the source
of all our social, political and financial woes,
as nation, and unless more Just and hu.
name course shall be taken towards the peo
pie now suffering under the CALLING chains
of degradation, unnumbered evils will yet be
visited upon US people. 1t is impossible
for us TO give even an outline of his great
speech, which shall begin to do him justice.
For three hours and tw euty-fve minutes he
held that entire audience spellboun by his
matchless eloquence and arguments, inter.
rupted only by occasional bursts Of immense
and laundering applause. For several min.
utes the feelings of the people remaining un.
der control, would gradually gather force and
power by his powerful and eloquent words, and
then at some forcibIe point or illustration seek
vent again by breaking into the most
hearty and deafening cheers. And so for
three hours and a half did that wonderful
orator and reasoner discuss the great ques.
tons OF reconstruction, Of finances, banks,
bonds tariffs, and all the issues now Def ore
the people. And at its close the great as.
sembly Of people, nineteen,twenteths of
whom had stood still upon their feet from.
2 until half past five, again rent the air with.
cheers loud and long for O'Brien the cham.
pion of democracy and lberty--and then
with three more for Seymour and Blair, ad
journed to prepare for the exercises of the
evening.
THE TORCHLIGHT PROCESSION.
At e! o'clock blaze of light began to
issue from the headquarters of the White |
Boys in Blue, and, for more than an hour
and half came men, with lamps, with the
blue uniform, to take their places in the line
of patriots who shall redeem this country |
from the anarchy and corrupt rule Of the
radical leaders. Capt. VIM, C.. Blackburn
was the chief officer of the evening, assisted |
by Adjutant Kirkpatrick, and others. No
scene il Rock Island ever half eqnaled it
More than 5000 men in line; nearly 1000 |
torches more than a thousand White Boys
n Blue; some two hundred or more Junior
White Boys in Blue; large number Of
aides, dressed IN national colors, marched
n the grand procession; while ten
thousand people lined the sidewalks or gazed