Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-16
The Grand Democratic Rally.

!
THE DEMOCRACY or CENTRE COUNTY.
The meeting Of the Democracy Of Gem
tire county, at the Court House, In Belle
fonte, on Tuesday evening, was in all re-
spees brilliant success. In point Of
numbers 1t exceeded all expectations, and
the words of statesmAnlike wisdom adj
dressed 10 the assembled masses by the
three able and distinguished gentlemen
who appeared before them were In every
way worthy Of the occasion. i, il seldom
indeed that three such speeches are heard
by one audience. Free of all passion
and prejudice, they were calm, dignihed
and logical appeals TO reason, judgment
and patriotism. The seed thus wisely and
judiciously sown should not fail 10 bring
forth much fruit. II would be wrong 10
say that no efforts were made 10 insure
good turnout. Mr.. Fortney, the Chgir-
man Of the county committee, had de-
/ termined in advance that the meeting
should be good one. In his work he was
well seconded by number Of other active
| Democrats of Bellefonte, and most nobly
| did town and country respond 70 their CALI.
| Spring, Bcnner and Walker were we'll rep
resented, But that was not all. We no.
ticed many ardent friends Of the good
cause present from Boggs, College, Fergu-
son, Howard, Unionyille, Potter, Patton,
Milesburg, and even from distant Penn
Other districts were probably also repre-
scnted. This hugurs well for the future
Of the party in Centre county. Music
was furnished by three brass bands
Bcllefontc, Zion and Pleasant GAp-which
added much 10 the life of the meeting BY
their excellent music.
Promptly at half.pAst seven O'Clock the
meeting was called 70 order BY Chairman
Fortncy and on motion, the Hon. Cyrus
T. Alexander was elected President. On
taking the chair Senator Alexander made
an exceedingly neat and appropriate speech,
returning thanks for the honor and pre-
dieting the rich treat in store for those
present from the distinguished gentlemen
who would address them. The orgAniza-
ton was completed by the selection Of
the following gentlemen 10 act As Vice
Presidents aud Secretaries. Vice Prcsi-
dents Alexander Kerr, cf Potter town
ship Go,tlicb Haag, Of Spring townships
G.. W. Williams, Of Harris township DR.
J. II. Smith, Of Ferguson township; B. T.
SbaiFer, Of Walker township; Michael
Grove Of College township; +. II Carr, Of
Mlcsburg b. r. Hunter, of Benner town
ship Daniel A. Musser, Of Penn town.
ship; and William Carson, Of Potter
township. Secretaries Maj r. II. Fos-
ter, Joseph W. Furey, and Fredk Kur,z
The chair then appointed John a. Wood
ward, Of Howard township, John A. Roop,
Of College, and John shannon, Of Potter,
committee to wait upon the speakers, in
form them Of the organization Of the
meeting and request their presence. Upon
the return Of the committee, with Scna-
tor Wallace, Hon. George a. jerks, and
Rr-Gov. Curtin, they were received with
loud and hearty demonstrations Of applause.
President Alexander then introduced the
Hon. George A. jerks, Of jefferson county,
az the ilrsi speaker Of the evening, saying
that Mr.. Jenks was gentleman who had
made fine record in Congress, not as a
,,,litirfan has "a n statasrnan
Mr.. jerks stepped forward and was
greeted with applause. 1t would be futile
to attempt TO give his excellent speech en-
| tire lie referred 10 the willingness Of all
people 20 enter the recent war for the de-
fence Of country, thus showing the volcanic
power Of the nation in such emergencies
That, not men but, principles should enlist
our support. Barr, the representative Of
the Democratic party, is an excellent man
personally, and representative Of posi-
tive, good principles. OF Butler, his op-
ponent, little is known, and the party he
supports Is at present without settled prin.
ciples. lie demonstrated clearly and con-
clusively that the general course OF the
Democratic party tended towards good
results in government. He illustrated this
point by the Mississippi river, which
though sometimes Il flows north, yet lie
general tendency Is south, 50 the Demo.
cratic party might be turned into wrong
direction for short period, bat the general
flow was towards the right. The course Of
the Republican party towards monarchi-
cal form Of government was illustrated by
reference 10 a pyramid, which, II placed
point downward, must be supported on
each side, just as standing armies, empty
titles, &c, mus. support monarchy. All
the efforts Of the Democratic party have
been devoted TO the preservation Of liberty
Of person and private property. They had