Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-09-09


The warm and pleasant weather of Saturday
incident to the raising of three campaign flags
in different portions of the city had the effect to
draw an unusual number of people out of doors,
even for Saturday night. By far the largest
crowd assembled at the Grant and Wilson flag
raising at Franklin square, corner of Main and
Southbridge streets. Early in the evening peo-
pie began TO assemble in the brilliantly illumi'
mated square, and by the time the meeting was
formally opened, not only the square, but Main
and Southbridge streets, for some distance in
each direction were completely filled by the
largest crowd yet gathered in the city during
this campaign. The battalion of Tanners, three
hundred strong, under command of senior cap
tain J. s. Rogers, made their appearance on the
scene about eight o'clock, after having with
delicate courtesy prolonged their march by pass
ing through Front street TO avoid disturbing the
Greeeyite demonstration, between Pleasant and
Pearl streets. The battalion escorted by the
Worcester national band, countermarched in
the square and were halted in line enclosing
the speakers stand, upon two sides
The flag was then thrown out amid enthusiast
llC CuSGlo vi lllC ClUNu dllu lLG Vi GOchHIS
and Roman candles, the band playing "The Star
Spangled Banner" The flag is one of the largest
in the city, and bears at the top the inscription
Franklin Square," and at the bottom the hon
ored names of the republican candidates As it
waved in graceful folds in the clear night air lit up
by the light of three hundred streaming torches,
and red, white and blue fire, it presented mag
niicent appearance, which called for renewed
enthusiasm. Mr.. Chas. A. Merrill called the
meeting to order and introduced Geo. H. Ball
Esq, He spoke for a few smnutes in an elo-
quent manner, commanding the close and quiet
attention of the vast crowd. He said we meet to
do honor to two of Americas most worthy citi-
zens, and we attach their names to the flag as
they have attached their lives to the service of
their country. The speaker recounted some of
the various results which had been accomplished
by the republican party, and asked "Can we
afford a change in the administration ?" lCries
of No." "no.") He argued that it would not
be safe to elect Greeley, and closed by proposing
three cheers for Grant and Wilson, which were
given heartily, followed by more fireworks and
music.
Col. Titus was the next speaker. He con.
trasted in earnest language the differences in
record and opinions of the two parties, advised
his hearers to vote for the continuance in power
of an administration which had brought peace
and prosperity TO the country, instead of the
establishment of one which would bring into
power rebels, still unrepeutant and closed with
a brilliant picture of glorihed New England
which should extend over the whole country
,l,,, Ii
More cheers followed Col Titus address
after which Mr. Il. II. Peabody was introduced
HIS speech which abounded in sound argument
and appealed more to the reasoning faculties of
his hearers than to their enthusiasm, consisted
mainly of a review Of the democratic party and
careful consideration of the reasons which
now influence them in their relations with
Greeley and Sumner
AT the conclusion of Mr. Peabody's speech,
cheers were given for the news from Vermont
and North Carolina and for the republican can
didates, after which the meeting dissolved, and
the Tanners took up their line of march down
Southbridge street for South Worcester Upon
arriving opposite Chandler 4 Cars store, the
procession halted, and the Grant and Wilson
flag was thrown out amid the cheers of the
crowd, the booming of cannon, and music of
the band A large crowd had assembled, and
though the hour was late, the remarks of the
speakers were listened TO with attention and
applause The only attempt at disturbance came
from some juvenile Greeleyites on the fence OPP
poste the store who tried to start round of
cheers for their candidate, but the attempt
proved unsuccessful, and was given up. Short
and eloquent speeches were made by Mr.. Chas.
A. Merrill, who presided, Col Titus, and Geo.
H. Ball, Esq, after which the procession
marched back to the city, the Tanners greeting
the Grant and Wilson flags with cheers, and
streaming their torches as they passed under
| them.
The liberal republicans raised their first cam
paign flag, bearing the names of Greeley and
Brown, in front of their headquarters in the
First National bank building, Saturday eve
ming, in the presence of large crowd of specta-
tors. The third story Of the building, in which