The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-10-26
THE NEW RIVER BARBECUE.


Attendance, Good Speeches, Excellent
Music and q Bountifal Repast Grand
Ball at Y. P. Landry's in the Evening.
The barbecue and mass-meeting at
the Dutch stores, seventh ward, last
Thursday, was complete success,
and by far the most satisfactory polit-
ical gathering of the campaign in this
parish. People to the number of FIVE
or six hundred flocked in from all di-
rections, by all sorts of conveyances,
and the scene was one of animation
and interest from an early hour of
the forenoon until nearlNdusk. The
Ascension Brass Baud crossed the river
from Donaldsonville on the steamer
St. John at half past 6 o'clock in the
morning, and in their new wagon,
drawn by four mules, proceeded to the
barbecue grounds, followed by quite
procession of people in buggies, and
on horseback, discoursing eniivening
music at frequent intervals, exciting
the wonder and admiration of the ma
tives along the way. At New River
lane they were met by large Access
sion to their followers, among whom
were Capt. Greenhouse of the St. John
and Mr.. Felix Reynaud, the latter gen.
tleman bearing beautiful silk flag
which was presented to the band and
borne to the scene Of the barbecue in
their wagon.
A speakers stand had been erected
in the edge Of the woods and seats
provided for the ladies and children
directly in front of it. These were
soon filled and a large crowd gathered
around them impatient for the speak
ing to begin. At IL o'clock the assem-
blage was called to order by Mr.. Hen
~ L. Duffel, and Capt w. R. Great
house introduced to the audience. The
Captain was not feeling well, and con-
sequently was very brief in his re-
marks, but his expressions of interest
in the cause were we'll received.
c. A. Younger, Esq, candidate for
Clerk Of the Court, was the next
speaker, and he occupied the attention
of the audience upwards of half an
hour in calculating the political issues
and enjoining the people to support
the best men forlocal officers.
r. N. Sims, ESQ.,, who is candidate
for Representative, was presented
after the conclusion of Mr.. Younger's
address and a tune from the brass
band, and entertained his hearers for
some time with spirited and we'll
directed effort which excited consid-
cradle interest and enthusiasm and
gave the speaker an enviable place in
the estimation of the New River inhab-
itants present.
But it remained for Gen. Allen
Thomas to carry off the laurels of the
occasion. This accomplished orator
followed Mr.. Sims, and delivered one
of the finest addresses it has been our
lot to hear for many a day. He con-
trasted Grant and Greeley in the most
forcible manner, ascribing the success
of the former to that luck which us
ually attends the efforts of bad men,
aud the eminence of the latter to his
unimpeachable integrity, untiring en-
ergy, and great capability. His appeal
to the colored people to stand by the
man who stood by them when all
others were against them, was for
chilly eloquent and impressed his nu-
merous colored hearers very appar-
emily. The General said that the poll
cy Of the two parties now contesting
for supremacy in the nation hinged
upon the maintenance or obliteration
OF the differences and ill-feeling still
existing among the American people,
engendered by the recent civil war,
and he declared that the Grant party
characterization while
the Liberal cause sought reconciliation
and reunion in spirit as well as in
name. "When the sun goes down
upon the fifth day of November" ex-
claimed the speaker, cit sets upon a
country either doomed to four more
years of internal discussion and cor
rupt government, or redeemed from
its thraldom, with an era of peace and
prosperity inaugurated that should
rni on for oil fip,o RI anna y Dooc;p,r