The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1868-05-30
FROM MENDOZA.

Saturday evening last was the time appointed
by the trooly loir' of our prairie city to ratify
the Grant nomination All during the day could
bs seen in knots of two or three upon street
corners and in back counting rooms the really
anxious faces OF loyal leaguers, discussing the
momentcus proceedings TO be commenced at the
setting Of the sun. At 10 o'clock in the morn
ing noisy and dirty faced boys were seen all over
the town distributing faring handbils announ-
cling "Grand Ratification Meetin that even.
| ing of the Grant aad Colfax nominations, able
and distinguished speakers to address the crowd"
&c, sc.
Scarce had the sun disappeared in the west
when some half score of filthy ragged barefoot
boys led on by one or two fuzzy faced, cracked
voiced specimens of larger, but greeaer growth,
were seen emergin. from lanes alleys and by
ways loaded with old barrels, boxes straw and
other combustibles, pilinS them up upon tho
open space by the rail road and the fire kindled,
soon called together motley crowd to witness
the unusual proceedings. The bummers gather
ing many stray faggot, clubhouse and privy,
the cracking flames cast lurid glare over a vast
crowd of men, women and children gathered to
see the evenings performance.
The speeches began by DR.. Corbes, who ex-
oused himself by calling forward lawyer Gilman,
who in turn briefly entertained the crowd by
"few feeble remarks" concluding with the asser-
ton that the democratic party was terribly cor
rupt, that he knew it to be so as he once belong
ed to that party himself. Next the school master
was trotted OUT he again was followed by ''lit-
tie Dave Cook" our ''trooly loil" P. NJ and who
edited his gaping auditory by reciting a very
paat,l but truthful story Of '.poor Irish gar
that lost her ''ch4racter' There came q young
law student just from Ann Arbor, Michigan,
who had hung out his single here two days be-
fore, and he was followed by the last but not
least OF the speakers, fsnatical "God and hui
mainly man" by the name Of Wilcox, the same
that was hired by oar temperance league for the
past two sessions of our Circuit Court to get up
On the grand jury at the cost of twenty-five doll
lars per term, for the purpose OF harrassing all,
and particularly Dutohmen, who might either
drink or sell glass OF lager HIS was indeed
a driving speech'-the widest shrieks of Paw
would have besn music sweet in contrast with
the demonacal yells as he assayed to assure the
now rapidly dispensing crowd that ne, "ecea M,'
had never voted democratic ticket and prayed
God that his arm might palsy if he ever should.
AT this, an old democrat shouted Amen, And
thus the speeches ended, two little boys then
set off three fire crackers, a topedo and squib,
and some one proposed three cheers for Grant
and Coliax After which the fire alewed to
shoulder and expire, when silence took the
place Of what was attempted TO be jubilant
celebration over the Chicago nomination, here,
in the very stronghold of radicalism in La Sallo
county, A most miserable fzzle-a feeble at
tempt toinspire faith in the great mass of sick
ened and Disguised republicans.
Upon the same evening the friends Of dcmoc-
racy and equal rights assembled at Erlenbons
Hall for the purpose Of organizing Democratic
club. Tho meeting was organized by calling
Judge Lyman to the chair,-a constitution and
bye-laws were presented, discussed and adopted.
Sevsnty-fve members joined the club-short ad-
dresses were made by Judge Lyman, o. Ctt
Esq j. c. Croker, Hiram Higgins, Philo Castle
and others. The best possible feeling prevailed,
all appeared hopeful that the days of radical
msruleIwere numbered. Be assured, this town
will cast heavier democratic vote than ever
before.