The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1872-10-02
The Mass Meeting.

Last Thursday was day long to
be remembered in Rapides. The no.
tics that a number of the Fusion
candidates for State Offices, together
with other distinguished orators,
would address the people of Rapides,
was sufficient 10 attract one of the
largest crowds that we remember to
have seen in this town for many a
day. The people poured in from ev-
cry hamlet il the parish, and we
noticed many present from the ad-
joining parishes. There were white
men, and black men, ladies and gem
tlemen, boys and girls, Democrats,
Liberals, Republicans, Reformers,
and some Radicals. The audience
was as large as could be conveniently
addressed by the loudest voice. All
the space under Levin's Ice Cream
Bazaar was filed to overfowiug, and
many hung around the outside any-
ious to catch tie sound of the voice
OF each distinguished speaker. All
| the benches that could be procured
were early filed up with the fair sex,
who graced the occasion with their
presence. lt
Tire speakers arrived at different
times, having come by different con
veyances. The speaking commenced
ut II o'clock and closed about 5 p. NJ.
Thus for six hours they were enter
tanned by continuous strain of ora
tory, and not for a moment did The
attention flag. We do not believe
that o single person left the place
permanently until the speaking was
over.
The speaking was opened by H. N,
Ogden, Esq, cand date for Attorney
General, who was followed by the
other speakers in the following order:
Mr.. Ellis, Colonel Waggaman, Gov
ernor Warmoth, Colonel Penn and
Genera! Sheridan. Colonel McLnery,
having arrived late, did not speak
until the night meeting, which was
also very large one.
1t would be invidious to pay any
special compliment to any single Or
ator when all did 50 we'll. Nor can
we attempt any analysis OF seven Or
eight hours incessant speaking. Suf-
fee it to say that al the issues in the
campaign were presented in the most
striking light by orators Of the great
est variety Of talents and the great,
est diversity of political opinions.
We had Democrats, Liberals, Re
publicans, Reformers and last ditch
ers. We had the logical orator, the
ornate orator the witty orator, the
Aowery orator and every ether kind
Of orator except the stupid orator
It carried our memories back to the
good old times when we heard politi
zeal questions discussed by the great
est statesmen OF the age.
Our people were well pleased witt
the candidates put forward by thu
Fusion party, some of whom were
strangers to the most of us. The,
were also well pleased with Governor
Warrnoth, who had been painted 81
sporting 8 forked tail and two horns
as long as a fence rail. His splendid
speech was listened to with the pro
fcundest attention., and the applaus'
with which it was greeted testified
to the gratitude our people beaf to
wards him for his earnest efforts tt
I give us an able and honest govern
ment. @s3-t .'5
On the whole the days work wa
Of immense advantage to the Fusio1
cause. Men took fresh courage ant
went home to work earnestly for lib
, cause. They believe now they ca
win, aud this belief spurs them on I
renewed and incessant efforts.