The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-07-06
THE DEMOCRATIC PIC MIC At
PORT BYRON.
A GREAT SUCCESS,
5000 to 5000 Persons Present.

If any doubt existed as 70 The enthusiasm
for the democratic policy and the detcrmin.
alton of the people, irrespective Of former
political associations, TO have o change Of
administration, that doubt was annhilated
in the minds Of all who were present at the
great pic me held ut BARRIERS Grove, near
Port Byron, on the 4th.
At $50 our special train, nearly oil the
sents occupied, left tho Rock Island depot.
At Moline and Hampton such a rush eusa.!
for the cars as surprised everybody, and
filled al the standing room, baggage car and
all We arrived - the grove at about 1880
and found a great gathering Of people-the
woods, for acres around, full Of people and
teams, many Of them coming from n dis.
tance Of 10 to - miles, with great farm
wagons, crowded with people
The grounds are the finest imaginable,
for such meeting, and the preparations
were ample for all. The speakers stand
and seats for many hundreds Of people, with
the star spangled banner floating over all
was, of course, the centre Of attraction. Al
proper distance outside the circle necessary
for the speaking, WAS a fine dancing tent
and floor, Il soda fountain, rotreshment
stands, horse swing, &c, &c, ranged in a
large circle around the speakers stand, but
all distant enough TO be no annoyance TO
those who wished to listen to the speeches.
A little before Il o'clock the Moline band
assembled the platform and played patriotic
air, after which Mr. s. l.. Swisher called the
meeting to order and announced that W. j.
sheppard Esq, Of Port Byron, had consent.
ed to act as president Of the day. Mr.. Shop.
pard came forward and read the programme,
and the meeting was then opened by prayer
BY Mr.. George Me.2gar, Of Port Byron, al!
ter which Mr.. Metzgar read the Declaration
Of Independence il very handsome
manner After music by the band,
j. h. Danforth, Jr., Of Rock Island, was in
troduced. lie stated that letter had just
been shown him from Judge Ietiingwcll, in
which he said he feared he could not be
present, and Mr.. Danforth expressed his
regrets, on account Of tho audience, that
it had fallen on him 70 occupy the time
during the forenoon. He Mou spoke
for q little over an hour and u half, bueQy
referring to the discovery and settlement Of
this continent, the organization Of the colo.
nies under confederation, the declaration
Of independence, the success Of the reyolu
ton, the second war Of Independence III
1912, the Mexican war, and the late rebel
lion. The reference 10 these topics occupied
less than half sn hour. Something over al
hour was then occupied in discussion of
the currency, the bonds, the debt, the eX
travagant and reckless expenditures, the
national faith, the tariff, Nc, &c. After a
brief reference TO the hypocrisy and bad
faith of the party in power lii regard to the
rights Of American citizens now languishing
in foreign prisons, and an spostfophe to the
American flag, he closed and the meeting
adjourned to dinner.
A few minutes before adjourning, Judge
Lefingwell arrived, having left Clinton after
, o'clock in the morning, and Of course al
were pleased with the expectation of hear
ing him before returning home. At this
time there could not have been less than
5000 people on the ground-many estimat
ing the number as high as 5,0co
The scene at dinner wa, The lu,st VI
ever witnessed, Of the sort All through the
woods might be seen. circles Of friends, with
their table cloths spread on the grass, and
covered with every dolicacy desirable, served
BIZ the fair hands Of the loved and houorej
women of the county.
At o'clock, the band having previously
called the people together, Chas. N. Osborn
ESQ, of Rock Island, was introduced and
spoke for an hour upon the financial issues
of the day. His speech Was close and 10
gical argument, showing that unless the
reckless management of the finances of the
country shall be changed by an entire change
of administration, the debt and the taxes Of
the country must inevitably continue to III
crease Until the most deplorable results en-
sue. he closed by brief review of the
Grant platform, and also review of the &C.
lion of the radical county convention in this
county, and its nominations. He was list.
ned to with close attention. frequently sp' |