New national era. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1870-1874, 1872-09-26
From car correspondent ia Penn
sylvanla.

of the campaign was unquestionably the mass
convention Of veteran soldiers aud sailols
which was held in Pittsburg, Tuesday and
Wednesday, the 18th and 18th instants. Such
a gathering, either political or any other
kind, was probably never held on this CONT
nent. 1t is barely possible that as many
people have been assembled together before,
though that is doubtful. But when the char
acter Of the men who composed it, the
services they had rendered their country,
their self-sacrticing patriotism, their intelli-
gence, and their enthusiasm, as we'll as their
numbers, are all taken into consideration, no
candid man will deny that it was one of the
most remarkable conventions ever held in
this or any other country. The assembling
in mass convention from every loyal State in
the Union offifty thousand soldiers, more than
seven years after the close of the war, all Of
whom had rendered voluntary and gallant
service in putting down the rebellion, YVES n
spectacle which will probably never be wit
messed again, and which those who were
thus fortunate will not he apt ever to forget
Providence seemed to be on the side of
these brave veterans, and the cause which
they had met to aid by their voice, and in
fuence, and example, as they had before
aided the cause of civil and political liberty
by blood and yalor. Few more delightful
days were ever sent from heaven than those
on which the convention were held. And if
! the weather had not been as delightful as it
was, any defect in that respect would have
been forgotten in the magnificent welcome
given the veterans and all who attended it
by the Republicans ofPittsburg. The "great
name" the people Of that glorious city made
for themselves by their treatment of Union
soldiers passing through it during the rebel
lion, was fully sustained by their efforts on
this occasion. Their hearts seemed to over
flow with gratitude toward their country's
defenders on this rs on other occasions, and
every Republican We'd with his neighbor to
do honor to them and the cause they came to
represent.
The city presenteda most splendid appear
ance. Such display of flags, streamers,
and other decorations has rarely been seen
anywhere. 1t was adorned in its gayest APP
parel by day, and was a blaze of light from
torches, windows, fireworks, and bonfires by
night; and the enthusiasm of The people
was equal to the brilliancy of the display.
The same deep, earnest determination, too.
that was SO striking a characteristic of our
soldiers all through The war for the Union. was
agreat characteristic Of this army of veterans.
They exhibited the same faith in their old
commander as civil head of the nation that
they did as their leader during the rebellion.
Every mention of his name drew from them
the widest enthusiasm, and every opinion of
him was one Of confidence, respect, and ad-
miration. 1t would have been as unsafe g.
place for General Grants libelcrs as within
the Union lines would have been for rebel
sympathizers during the rebellion.
1t is estimated by competent Judges of how
many people Pittsburg would hold, that in
Guiding the veteran hosts present, that there
were not less than one hundred thousand
strangers in the city on Wednesday. 1t was
literally full and running over. Even stand
ing room could with difficulty be found in the
streets, while every accessible house top.
every porch, every available foot was occu-
pied by as much humanity as could be crowded
into it. In every respect the convention was
a wonderful success, far exceeding the ex-
pectations of the most sanguine. Many of
the most eminent generals Of the war were
there, and some speeches were delivered
equaled only in brilliancy and power by the
achievements Of their authors on the battle
field.
The convention developed a spirit abroad
among the patriotic portion of the people that
will greatly confirm the faith already so strong
in the triumphant election of Grant, and that
will prove the calculation You gave in the NEW
NATIONAL ERA the other day to be below,
rather than above, the vote he will receive.
But its most desirable results will be its in
tluence in this State. The cordial, earnest,
generous endorsement of Hartranft BY his
gallant comrades in arms will render entirely
harmless hereafter the ISLANDERS invented by
tina Evans gang of State plunderers, and so
industriously circulated by the Philadelphia
Press, and one or two other unscrtlpulous
papers. The conviction I so confidently ex-
pressed last week Of his election has been
strengthened By this great demonstration
and other events. The State is all ablaze
with excitement and enthusiasm in his be-
half, as we'll as for Grant. The Infamous
libels perpetrated against both Of them have
ceased to do injury, and are now daily bring
ing honest Democrats TO his support.
The incorruptible Horace, who, as you
know, is swinging round the circle in humble
imitation Of his prototype, Andy, passed
through this county last evening OH his way
to Pittsburg. He exhibited himself few
minutes to the gaping multitude of hungry
Democrats who assembled at the depot to
catch a glimpse Of him. He made short
address, but seemed diapidated and woe
begone. His voice was gone, and his thoughts
a wool-gatherins, judging by his disconnected
and altogether unmportant remarks. He
will make no votes by such exhibitions as
he gave here. Indeed, il his harangues were
not as destitute of sense as they are OF prin-
ciple, we would insist upon his abandoning
the stump altogether. The fact is a talented
editor has been f,Irned into thS paorcst Lind