New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-23
INDIANA MASS MEETINGS.
GROTESOuE FEATURES.


IPRoh A STAFF CORRESPONDENT OF TIE TRIBUNEl
INDIANAPOLIS, Sept. III cannot better portray
the picturesqueness, the enthusiasm, and the dra-
matte intensity which characterize the remarkable
campaign in progress in this State than by de-
scribiug q Republican mass meeting in country
town. The scene is Cambridge City, small place
with big name, containing perhaps $500 inhab-
tants and situated about 60 miles east of here and
the occasion is a speech by Gen. Harrison, the Re
publican nominee for Governor. We arrive about
noon with the orator of the day. At the railway
station company of men in Continental cooked
hats and black oilcloth capcs, trimmed with white
headed by brass band waits in line to receive him.
While the band plays, the local committeeman put
us in barouche drawn by four fine white horses,
with tall plunes nOdding on their heads, and We
move off i'll quite trumphal fashion, the black
capped fellows going TO the front to clear the way.
AS soon enter the street leading up to the vii
lRge, we pass another long line of men
wearing blue capes, and red, white, and
blue caps and carrying torches ready for
service in the night parade. They fall in
behind in good military way. At the next cross
street there squadron of mounted men IN scarlet
trousers and white shirts waiting on the right to
swell the line, and on the left large body of foot
men III scarlet shirts aud dark trousers, carrying
polished tin lamps fixed above the vsors of the red
caps.
With much blowing of horns ard beating of drums
for all these troops have bands of some sOrt-we
at last gain the main street 1t looks like an Italian
town in carnival time, far the houses with their
flags, festoons of evergreens and Chinese lanterns
are concerned but in the way there is spectacle
which for gay cOlors novel devices, and real pctur
esQueness no foreign fiesta could equal--an Ameri-
can political procession. 1t is not yet complete or
organized for il is not to until the speakers
have had their dinner at the village inn, but the
material is here. There are huge wagons built up
with boards in pyramidl fashion TO make seats for
pretty girls dressed in white and wearing cOronets of
gilt pasteboard. They represent, of course, the
States OF the Union. One of these great chariots
has o canopy upon which stands the Goddess
of Liberty, holding fast to young tree that towers
up to an astonishing hight, and filings out the Stars
and Stripes from below its leafy crown. Another
wagon contains two or three dozen gray-hared men
who voted for Harrison in 1910 and going to
vote for his grandson in 1876. In another there is
a glee club of young ladies and gentlemen singing
campaign songs TO the accompaniment of a cabinet
organ and a key-bugle A little white aud blue cot
ton cloth for drapary with eyergreens, howers ban
ners and notices, gives gala look TO these process
sonal wagons, which crowd the street as far as we
can see. QuanteSt Of them all is one supporting
veritablc log cabin. Smoke issues from the stick
chimney and coon-skins are nailed upon the walls,
while on the roof is live coon, who appears TO be
trying to climb sapling TO get at frightened aud
woful-loOking Democratic rooster that is tied 10
branch As our barauche makes its way through
the crowds, the people in the vehicles, ON the side
walks, and at the windows of the houses cheer
their candidate yocerousy and he responds to their
greetings with smiles and bows The little town is
full of music, dust, and noise
A hasty dinner is eaten and we set ont for the
place of meeting which Of course is odt-of-doors.
The marshas dashing about on fine horses, with
much display Of gaycOlored sashes rosetcs and sad
dle-cloths get the procession in shape As we leave
the meoug street at the top Of bill and turn into
the fields we get view of the linea river OF bright
lines moving through the darker margin of lockers
on that line the way What striking spectacle 1t
isl And what masses of re0ple-men, women, and
children Where could they all have come from, for
the village could not have contributed hundredth
part of them They have come by rail from the
towns big and little for twenty miles around, and
in wagons, on horseback and on foot from all the
neighborng country. Even more striking IL the
scene when the tide Of humanity has spread itself
over the great green field around the little beech
grove where the seats and the platform are. The
escort clubs in their many-colOred uniforms move
To and fro or break ranks with yolleys of cheers;
the ponderous wagons unload their joyous freight;
family parties in holiday attire picnic upon the
orass = new delegations are constantly arriving
with music and banners; there are troops OF
romping children, knots of rosy-cheeked girls
walking with interlOcked arms, young
complies making love and eating lunch
con at the same time booths where rustics feast
on lemonade and gingerbread The earnestness of
politics ia tempered with much merry-Inaking, and
the air is vocal with laughter, cheers, and songs
What a scene for painterl How Enthusiastically
American and how rich in elements of the picture
esquel
Only small part of the throng can get within
range Of the orators voice, but the rest seem none
the less happy, for it is the holiday diversion the
crowds, the bravery Of the procession, the music
and the fun of the occasion they came chiefly 10 en-
low. As many people as can possibly hear pack in
nnon the seats rising amphitheater-like against a
slopng hill, OF make thick fringe around their
margin. II is an attentive audience, quick to ap-
Maud a good point, aud relishing keenly funny
story or witty remark. Nearly half the listeners are
ladies' The speaker, Gen. Harrison is man OF
medium hight, cOmpactly built, with frank coun-
tenance bright blue eyes, light-brown hair, ana
blonde beard In conversation his manner is quiet,
rather reserved entirely unassuming, yet sei-pos-
sossed Int ON the stump he takes hold of his audi
ence as if il belonged to him, and keeps IL easily IN
his control as long as he wishes. lie talks for an
hour and half about the war and the record OF the
Democratic party, and even goes way back 70 the
Fugitive Slave law in hunting ont the bad points IN
the record There is almost nothing in his speech
except brief reference TO the Presidential candi-
dates, that might not have been said just as well
four years ago or eight years ago; but the people
are pleased with it, Evidently in their minds the
memories Of the Rebellion have but to be reused TO
supplant all later issues. A speaker from New-fork