Middletown transcript., 1868-10-31
The Camp-Fires Brightly Burning,
GREAT ENTHUSIASM.


Thursday last was the day appointed fol
the Grand Democratic Rally in Middle
town. The day was clear, bright and
beautiful, as ever dawned on Eden. At
an early hour the people came pouring into
town, in carriages, on horseback, in wag-
ons, and on foot, until our streets were
literally alive with them. At q o'clock,
Ritchies Cornet Band was present, giving
forth its spirit-stirring strains. The mar
shall of the day, Benjamin f, Kanely,
Esq, promptly formed his line, which pre-
ceded by the Band, marched to Odessa, to
escort the deputations from that place,
which by agreement had beeu made the
central point of meeting.
AT o'clock, P. NJ the procession ar
rived in Middletown, and marched and
countermarched through the streets. 1t
was led by the marshal aud his aids, all
handsomely mounted on horseback, wear
| ing sashcs and rosettes, their horses deco
rated with wreaths of evergreens and flow
ers, all tastefully formed by the cunning
hand of woman. At the head of the COL
umn was Ritchie's Band; then followed a
cavalcade of youths ON horseback, each
horse decorated with wreath, and the ri
ders, thirty-seven in number, representing
each State in the Union, wearing white
caps, except those representing the South
ern States, eleven in number, under the
ban of military rule and reconstruction,
wearing black caps, each cap inscribed
with the initials of the State the rider rep
resented. Following this cavalcade came
another, of Carpetbaggers, mounted OH
mules and dressed in the most outre and
fantastical style, their long swallow tailed
white coats nearly touching the ground,
and their carpetbags and umbrellas swung
over the shoulders of their chargers. They
bore banner inscribed Carpetbaggers
seeking after office" Following the Car
petbaggers came "Gen. Spooney Butler"
also mounted on mule, with stick over
his shoulder hung with number spoons
He bore in his hands banner, inscribed
with reference to the Carpetbaggers going
to plunder the South, " No use in going
I've cleaned them out"
Then came wagons, decorated with flags
suspended from hickory poles; "a wagon in
the procession contained a large farm bell
which was tolled vigorously, inscribed
with "The knell of Radicalism in New
Castle County" A representation of the
Frcedmen's Bureau followed-an old bu-
reau mounted on a wagon, and some one
representing colored man, mounted on
the bureau, playing a fiddle, seeming to
enjoy his position with as much glee as the
negroes do the provisions of the Bureau.
Next came piece of orduance-not an
anvil-but veritablc cannon, mounted
on wagon, which ever and anon cave ut
terance to some genuine democratic thun-
der, and walked the echoes all along the
route of the procession. There were
wagons in the line from Odessa, St. Geor-
ges, Peterborough, Warwick, Arm
strong's Corner, and other places, the
Odessa Saxe-Horn Band bringing up the
rear of the procession. Delegations were
present from Wilmington, Newark, Glas-
gov, New Castle, Delaware City, Pivot
Bridge, St. Georges, McDonough, Cecil
ton, Warwick, Head of Sassafras, Chesa-
peake City, Bohemia Manor, and many
other points.
The meeting was organized about 2
o'clock, p M. by H. A. Nowland, Esq.
President of the Middletown Democratic
Club, who announced the following Off
: GERS, who were accepted by the meeting ;
President-Charles Beasten, Esq.
Vice Presidents-George Lodge, Bran
dywine; J. L. Beggs, Wilmington S.
; G.. Chandler, Christiana; AquiIla Der
e ricksou, Mill Greek; B. Caulk, White
r Clay Creek; DR.. John Merritt, New Cas-
tie; John T. Chears, Red Lion; James
Nicholson, Pencader; VIM. L. Buckle,
: St. Georges Jacob Hill, Appoquinimink
Charles G. Ash, John +. Price, and
VIM. Green, Esqrs. Secretaries.
The President, after making brief ad.
r dress, introduced to the audience, Ignatiu.
n G. Grubb, Esq. of Wilmington, who spoke
n for more than an hour in very earnes
: and able manner. Hon. James A. Bay.
: ard then addressed the meeting for nearl,
J, two hours, and was listened to throughout
o with marked attention. Gov Salisbury
# who was present, was then loudly callet
for. The Governor came forward anc
u asked to be excused from making speecl
e on that occasion. Three cheere were Civ
!. en- for the Governor, when he retired t.
x make way for Major Biggs, who next ad
dressed the audience until after sunset
when he closed amid enthusiastic cheerin.
for the whole ticket. The meeting wa
admitted to be one of the largest, mos
O spirited and enthusiastic, which has beer
q held in Delaware during the campaign.
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