Wilmington journal., 1868-08-21
ORGANIZATION, SPEECHES, &C., &c.
The Torchlight Procession-The City Ablaze
with Light and Enthusiasm

We shall not pretend to give our read
ers, this morning, anything like an ex-
tended account of yesterdays proceedings
in the Convention, or of the many Incl
dents of the great jubilee in which We are
all rejoicing. We allowed our employees,
on yesterday, the opportunity of participa-
ting in the general demonstration of pa
triotism, and our own active participation
in the proceedings preeludes more than an
allusion to them this morning.
Suffice it to say for to-day, that the
Democratic State Convention now in ses-
sion is the greatest political gathering as
sembled in the State since the memorable
days of 1910. Perhaps from three to five
thousand Democrats and Conservatives are
in the city-nearly, if not quite. 1000 Of
them delegates-and all are animated by q
spirit of enthusiasm, determination and
energy, that are the sure harbingers of sue
cess. They have come up in public and
private cOnveyances, and even in very
many cases, on foot, to join in counsel for
the good of the country and to assert their
hostility to Radical rebellion and corrup-
ton.
The most notable feature of yesterday
morning, prior to the assemblage of the Con-
vention, was the reception of the Cumber-
land and Harnett delegations. They had
come up the previous night and encamped
within two miles of the city, with their
wagons and other vehicles all decorated
handsomely with flags and t-ansparencies,
(of all which full account will be given
hereafter). Early on yesterday. Jenkins
company of mounted men proceeded to
their encampment, on the southern su-
burbs, and escorted them to the front of
the Executive Mansion, where they were
met by detachment of citizens and of
the Wilmington delegation, with the ex-
cellent band of music Of the latter. Here
our friends were welcomed in an appropri-
ate speech by II on. Sion II. Rogers, who
was eloquently and thrillingly responded to
by Jas. Q. Dobbin, Esq. The whole body
then moved up Fayetteville street, elicit
ing and giving laundering huZzas az they
progressed, and greeted everywhere with
the waving of handkerchiefs by the fail
ladies of the city.
By 10 o'clock Tucker Hall was jammed
and crammed to its utmost capacity-suf
focatingly crammed-while thousands were
outside unable to obtain admission. The
whole of the spacious right and front gal
leries were densely packed with beautiful
and elegantly dressed women, and this
taken in connection with the rich decora
tions, notices, &c., and the compact mass
of deeply interested spectators, made up {
, grand and imposing tout ensemble.
The Convention was called to order b,
Hon. Thos. Bragg, on whose motion tina
noble son of Franklin. Capt. J. J. Davis
was made temporary Chairman. Captain
> Davis made capital speech Oh taking tn
\ Chair, which was received with loud &C
$ clamation.
Subsequently the Committee on perma
nent organization recommended for perma
hot llo MI OH
tleman, Col. Robert 81. Cowan, of Me-
Hanover. The announcement was mos
t enthusiastically greeted, and Col. Cowa
f addressed the Convention, in entering upo
Q his duties, in an effort of great eleganc
!. and power.
: During the morning session COMMITTEES
on Resolutions and the selection of Elect
d raj candidates were appointed-two fro
= each Congressional District in the State
I'll In response to the loud and prolonge
lcalls of the Convention, addresses wei