The Van Buren press., 1872-09-03
GRAND BARBECUE.
Crawford County Fully Aroused!
1000 or 5000 People Present. Great
Enthusiasm.
Speeches by Brooks, Clayton, Hynes
and Searle.
tBY 0UR SPEcIAL.l

Nv w 'pN"N anu lilN iSt oSNuNs nav
| ing been faithfully heralded throughout th
country. everybody had been anxiousl,
looking forward to the coming day. Both il
town and out oftown. the people (that is th
Liberal portion of them) have for the pas
| week been quite active fixing up things 70
the occasion. Atearly hourly could be seer
ci,i2.n< from Al! parts of the County. windin.
their way to the point of interest And Ion,
before the morn with crimson blush hat
drawn the curtain from the night. the patriot
ic strains from the Cornct Band had rouse,
our slumbering dcnizens from their dreamy
reveries. Old Sol had hardly made his ap
pearance in this quarter o.: the terrestrial. il
the town. was fairly alive with bustln,
preparation The day opes sauspiciously. Ea
gcrmss to be at the grounds. excitcs all to ac
tiyity and soon the route presents an anima
ted appearance. All kinds of horse flesh ant
bones was put in rcquisirion and every knC
of vehicles improvised for transportation. ye
along the road were hundreds Of pedestrians
unable to obtain any conveyance and willing
to foot it over the rough road rather than no
be there, Doctors left their offices. merchants
closed their stores and such an interest in tn,
political isSues of the day. was never before
manifested by the people in this County. The
road was entirely too dusty u go out in pro-
cession 50 each suited himself in his way o
getting there, All along the route, would the
lively crowd gather in clusters and with the
current. astride OF one of those wayward ami
mails whose ancestor the good book tells l-
was once made illustrious, your humble
drifted.
At the grounds had congregated vast null
titude variously estimated-some say as high
as five thousand persons. With the eXcep-
ton Of Il few Minstrels, who had come ont to
encourage their chettanS with Il few cheers
in his discussion. the political character of the
assemblage was Liberal, and they were happy
and joyous in the prospective political re-
union. This spot had been selected for its
central position and convenience to Il major.
ity of the citizens of the County, but to some
of Us it has and may have more significance.
It's "reminiscences OF ante-belium period are
not unpleasant to look back upon. Former.
ly, at this point the good citizens of this
County mingled together in harmony and
good feeling discussing political issues with
view solely Of adopting such a policy, both
in State and National affairs rs would best
secure the happiness and prosperity Of the
people. Then love for party did not rise
higher than their patriotism and intent in II
one purpose OF public good an honest differ
ence in matters of public policy did not en-
each accredited the other with patriotic mo-
tives; them men of known ability and ac-
knowlrdgcd merit noted Tor their fidelity,
were selected tor official positions, and those
whose ideas of the duties Ola public Junction
arv rose no higher than srlshness and indi-
vidual interest. were selected to stay ut home
then. men alike interested in good sound con-
stitutonal government, md wise legislation
were not separated by an aggravated and un-
profitable opposition. IT, on that day and on
that spot, shall be conSunmatcd the talked-oi
reconcliaton.-th little jealousies. preju-
dices and chickering's Of the last few years be
forgotten,-all Of the objective past be wiped
out and in mutual recognition of our pres
ent public wants. those who once gathered
here shall shake hands in new faith, renew
their political associations and affiliations and
together as of vore cooperate tor the general
benefit Of the people. then Oliver Spring will
be a cherished spot in our recolections
The speakers were delayed and did not arrive
on the ground until noon. Col, Locke the mar
sha Of the day called the assemblage TO order and
in n very few pertinent remarks introduced Jo-
>eph Brooks as the first speaker. Surveying this
popular demonstration of Literal strength in what
has been considered doubtful county, the par
sons face looked satisfaction. as though he fully
appreciated the advantage Of being on the win
ming side, He is heavy in proportion, and robust,
showing great phys endurance, and hasty
glance at those strongly marked features indicates
man prompt in thought and ready in action
his stern resolute, determined look--a man fear.
less in danger and intexihe in purpose: if his
face be an index, it stamps as falsrhnods and
ISLANDERS the many drfalnatory charges made by
his political opponents against his pu''lic charac.
ter: if he is as deep in the infamy of the State
house Rings, as they would have us believe his
countenhnce is not faithful Indicator there is
apparently too much Of TIE " Scot " and the purl-
tan about him to greatly violate the moral law and
its obligations. nor do we believe he would; but
in great emergencies, when the end would lustl'
fy the means he might occasionally slightly
overlook the Divine injunctlons that does admit o
doing evil that good may come. His outward
speaks no ordinary man. His opening remarks
were confined exclusively to an explanation Of the
charge made by Clayton of his lack of courtesy, in
not notifying him of his change in his appoint
ments A few ausions to the national and state
platforms, ohr primary and natural rights in the
government, defining his position on the question
of registry, taxation and our state matters. he
turned his attention to his " Minstrel friend and
the general corruption in an about the Capital Ac
cns,omed in early life to deal with "thc adversa
ry,' he was well fitted to depct the evils Of q
- minstre " life and expose its deformities, ant
like devoted enthusiast. he bounced to the worl
dealing his blows like n man who knew how !,
handle his weapons; no metaphors, figures nnc
illustrations were used To pcrpcx the minds of tn,
crowd and puzzle their understanding, hut l'era
truths, well Sustained allegations. material facts
ACCOMPANIED with undispuable statistics, wer,
prr sented and the villainous record ot the Min
stre gang farlessly exposed. Having "dwelt it
their tents, " he was tho oughly POSTED in the MIN
u,ia ofthcir trickrry, populations aud black mail
ing. and our ex Governor and Tom Bowen were
were well showed up for public execratlon. The
evidence was conclusive 10 his hearers, that I
more rascnlly set oir"lical plnnderers never can'
together than these Minstrel officials and their co
ndjutors.
Dividing time with the other speakers did MOI